Lifetime extension by design and a fab lab level digital manufacturing strategy: tablet case study
Ospina, Jose; Maher, Paul; Galligan, Anne; Gallagher, John; O'Donovan, Dermot; Schischke, Karsten; Knorr, Stefan
MicroPro Computers, an Irish SME working in the design and manufacture of computer
equipment based on circular economy principles over the past 20 years, is successfully manufacturing
a long-life miniature computer (the iameco D4R tablet), which addresses the three key areas of product
design, manufacturability and sustainable business model. These factors are interlinked, and all are
crucial to bringing the product to the market: A major barrier for local production of sustainable IT is the
inherent complexity of mobile electronics, so innovative approaches are required to enable small-scale
production. As part of the SustainablySMART Project, (H2020 – FoF) MicroPro is working with GMIT
Letterfrack and Designing Berlin, to adapt the design of a green tablet, the iameco D4R tablet, for digital
design and manufacture, using equipment typically found in a FabLab or similar non-commercial
manufacturing environment. Combining a localized smart design and manufacturing approach with
robust green credentials will allow for higher margins, as well as flexibility in terms of production
numbers and costs, and provide a replicable production and business model for the green electronics
sector.
Is Part Of
Published in: PLATE – Product lifetimes and the environment : 3rd PLATE Conference, September 18–20, 2019 Berlin, Germany, Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin
Published by ISBN 978-3-7983-3125-9
