Course - Lifecycle Performance of Aluminum Products - TMM4285
Lifecycle Performance of Aluminum Products
Choose study yearAbout
About the course
Course content
Aluminium as a construction material has gained increased interest in different markets and areas of application. But there are numerous factors to be considered to optimize the material utilization along the value chain and the product lifecycle. This course will present and explain new methods, frameworks and applied models for developing high complexity aluminium products under the constraints of value chain time compression, increased requirements for tailored advanced production technology and meeting higher order sustainability criteria.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
- Basic understanding of the aluminium value chain from ore to product end-of-life and circularity
- Global aluminium stocks and flows, circular economy for aluminium
- Environmental profile of aluminium, LCA for aluminium production
- Environmental aspects of aluminium manufacturing, processes, use and EOL
- Dispersed value chains demonstrating aspects of integrated/non-integrated business models for aluminium routes
- Economic perspectives from traditional NPV models, transaction cost theories towards real options and LCC models
- Modelling the use phase into cost elements as input to investment decisions
- Models for integrating environmental aspects in innovation and product development phases
Skills: The student shall master the topics listed below.
- Overall, demonstrating capability in scientifically and systematically dealing with aluminium product aspects
- To apply the gained insight for improving efficiency and effectiveness to determine what creates value under different circumstances and use this understanding as a basis for making decisions
- To know the applicability of methods and frameworks to analyse the sustainability footprint of aluminium products.
General knowledge: The student shall understand basic theories for evaluating lifecycle perspectives of products based on aluminium as base material. These theories span from sciences of materials, products, business models and sustainability, thus, a cross disciplinary approach to product development challenges is highlighted. Based on these competencies the student shall be able to undertake holistic evaluations of new and improved products.
Learning methods and activities
Lectures, demonstrations, problem exercises and project-based problems. The lectures and exercises are taught in English/Norwegian. As the teaching probably will be given in English the course material will be given in English only. In the deliverables - abstract and report - the students are free to reply in Norwegian or English.
Compulsory assignments
- Abstract for report
Further on evaluation
For a re-take of an examination, all assessments during the course must be re-taken.
Required previous knowledge
The fundamental topics of mechanical engineering including TMM4115 Engineering modeling, TMM4121 Engineering design and TMM4245 Fuzzy Front End.
Course materials
Information is given at the start of the semester.
Subject areas
- Machine Design and Matherials Technology - Products and Machine Design
- Design Strategies
- Production and Quality Engineering
- Aluminium Construction
- Aluminium Structures
- Technological subjects
- Ecology
- Management Accounting and Control