What is a Product Life Cycle?

Product Life Cycle

Design

MaterialsAcquisition

MaterialsProcessing

Manufacturing

Packaging

Distribution

Use

Reuse,Recycle,Disposal

Design• Engineers,

designers, and manufacturers research, model, and test a product before mass producing.

• Products that are designed to be reused instead of thrown away prevent waste.

Designing a CD:Engineers use the design process

9Communicate Results

Design Design ProcessProcess

2Brainstorm

3

4

Research

Develop Ideas6

7Model or Prototype

Test and Evaluate

8Improve Design

1Define the Problem

5Choose Best Idea

Materials Acquisition

• All products are made from various raw materials.

• Virgin materials require larger amounts of energy and deplete our natural resources.

• Recycled or recovered materials reduce pollution, energy use, and the raw materials needed from the earth.

Materials in a CD:AluminumPolycarbonateLacquerGoldDyesOthers, including water,

glass, silver, nickel

Materials Processing

Processing for a CD:Mined materials must be

processed– Bauxite ore turned into

aluminum– Crude oil combined with

natural gas and chemicals to make plastic

• Materials extracted from the earth must be converted into a form that is useful for making products.

• For example, wood is made into paper after several different manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing

• Products are made in factories that use a lot of energy.

• Manufacturing creates waste and contributes to the production of greenhouse gases.

Manufacturing a CD:• Injection molding• Metallizer – reflective layer of

metal• Lacquer – protective coating• Screen printed

Packaging

• Product packaging undergoes separate manufacturing processes that use energy and consume natural resources.

CD Packaging• Jewel cases • Cardboard boxes• Shrink-wrapping

Distribution• Manufactured products

are transported to the location where they are sold.

• Materials and parts used to make products are transported at earlier stages in the life cycle.

• All transporting uses energy and creates greenhouse gases.

CD Distribution:Sent to distribution center by• Plane• Truck• TrainAll use fossil fuels for energy.

Use• The way products are

used impacts our environment.

• Reusable, durable, and recyclable products conserve natural resources, use less energy, and create less waste.

Using a CD• If properly stored and handled,

CDs can last for decades.• Take care of discs by keeping

them out of sunlight and away from heat and water.

Reuse/Recycle or Disposal

• Recycling or remanufacturing products into new commodities saves energy and reduces the raw materials used in the manufacturing process.

• Throwing products in the trash ends their useful life.

Reuse a CD:Share with a friend

Recycle a CD:Recycling companies make CDs into:• Automotive industry parts• Raw materials to make plastics• Office equipment• Jewel cases

Product Life Cycle

Life Cycle of a CD

Design

MaterialsAcquisition

MaterialsProcessing

Manufacturing

Packaging

Distribution

Use

Reuse,Recycle,Disposal

Paper Life Cycle

http://www.pneb.com.au/recycling.html

Materials Acquisition

Materials Processing

Manufacturing

Packaging, Distribution,

UseRecycle

Image Resources

Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip art. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx

Publishers National Environment Bureau. (2004) Newspaper and magazine recycling. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from http://www.pneb.com.au/recycling.html