Greenhouse gases emitted in manufacturing a product-A new economic model

In this paper, we propose a machining microeconomic model that can optimize machining parameters and include all energy and environmental costs. A survey of microeconomic machining cost models is covered, with the result that a new cost model has been developed based on life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology. The scope includes the initial part production. Theoretical and actual experimental results are used to illustrate the model's implications with respect to carbon emissions and cost sensitivity. It is shown that for a manufacturing strategy, more certainty is required for inputs like carbon pricing to reduce financial risk. The limitations of the model, policy issues and future work are outlined. (C) 2011 CIRP.