TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 944/2010
S Pike
Background
This report delivers the results of an evaluation programme that measured the environmental impact of the power consumption of various joining techniques. Other qualitative impacts such as direct emissions to air and water are also investigated and discussed. The demand for this information is driven by the Eco-design of Energy using Products (EuP)/Directive (Directive 2005/32/EC) which has also been reviewed in detail. The report details the second of a two year programme focussing on environmentally conscious design and manufacture.
The European EuP Directive was adopted in 2005 and transposed into national law in Member States in August 2007. It affects producers of energy-using products other than transport. Manufacturers document their design choices with regard to environmental impacts throughout the life of the product, and justify the decisions made including their choice of joining technique. Initial research showed that there was limited data available on the environmental impact of modern joining techniques. It was therefore decided to measure the power consumption and efficiency of joining techniques available to TWI and document the results for member companies to use as an indication of their potential impact.
Objectives
- Report on the current status of the EuP Directive, progress made and likely future timescales and activities.
- Evaluate the environmental impact of different joining processes through experimental investigation.
- Quantify the power consumption and power efficiency of a range of joining techniques and analyse qualitatively emissions to air, soil and water from joining processes.
- Review the environmental impact of adhesives and mechanical fastening techniques.