Rapid Product Development Using Sustainable Materials: A Case Study On Mobile Stand Design

Abstract: Rapid product development (RPD) enables rapid, flexible product development while controlling costs. However, RPD may not align with sustainable objectives if a large number of materials are used for prototypes, which can be difficult to recycle. A systematic approach to RPD for creating a mobile phone stand is described in this study. The dominant production method for this RPD-based project uses a laser cutter to systematically develop prototypes from a range of materials, including paper, cardboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and recycled acrylic.With each step, we emphasize sustainability in material choice, a more modern design scheme, and disassembly-friendly joint design and construction. The desirability of a product, based on its use, comfort, safety, and ease of manufacture, is investigated and assessed. We further analyze the sustainability of a product design and its potential related costs, based on its possible disposal methods and life-cycle scenarios. The literature review includes current developments in eco-design, innovations in circular polymers, specifically the degradation of polystyrene, or PMMA, and sustainable digital production methods combined with modern design approaches, as applied to contemporary ecological design practices. Practical Implications: The case study demonstrates that traversing four levels of fidelity can be useful for addressing rework and speeding up the training process. It does this with fewer materials while meeting ergonomic objectives, such as keeping the neck bent between 0 and 15 degrees during viewing. It also addresses business and production requirements for small-series production. The study ends by pointing out the limitations of the life cycle assessment's scope, which is narrowed, along with the emergence of new recycling methods in a laboratory setting. The study then provides directions for future research, such as producing PMMA sheets from extracted monomers, using machine learning algorithms to improve recycling, and adopting material passports.