TechMo, Technology Modelling for Sustainable Electronics Manufacturing Technologies

Purpose and goal

The project demonstrated a new method of evaluating manufacturing technologies in advanced electronics industry. The purpose of the project was to investigate how the method could be applied in the early stages to highlight sustainability aspects of the technology development. Choosing the right technology is a strategic decision that involve uncertain and complex parameters including: classification and modeling of competing technologies, linking to product and production concepts, market and business opportunities, and the technological risk that the technology entails.

Expected results and effects

The method, Checksheets, focuses on effective reuse of knowledge in the form of thin slices of knowledge. Short-term expectation is an increased awareness of sustainability aspects at an early stage, leading to more robust and energy-efficient manufacturing technologies. In the longer term, the results may lead to facilitate technological advances and to manage aggressive research plans. This in turn leads to new innovative and sustainable products and manufacturing concepts.

Planned approach and implementation

In order to test the method on sustainability aspects, interviews were conducted to capture specific knowledge regarding sustainability associated to the company´s technology development process (Technologies with less maturity than TRL5). These results were compiled in 20 thin slices of knowledge linked to 5 process steps. This research has demonstrated the method. Further research will focus on visually modelling the various identified aspects, how they relate to each other, and the robustness of dealing with changes in the outside world.