Lifecycle Project
In Project Lifecycle, I will be investigating the lifecycle of any object i want to. this will include: where the material used is raised and extracted, the Process it undergoes to be able to be used, the manufacturing of the actual object, the use of the object, and how/ where the object is disposed of. The object i have chosen to use is a Coca Cola aluminum can, based on the fact that it's one of the most commonly drank beverage in the world, and it will be easy to follow, as Coca Cola is a large, well-known company.
Timeline
Raise and Extract- The can used by Coca Cola is made of mostly aluminium, with small amounts of other metals such as Iron, Silicon, and a few others. Aluminum is extracted from an or known as Bauxite. Bauxite is mined out of the Earth's crust, and is commonly found in Sub- tropical and Tropical areas.
Process- Once the Bauxite ore is extraced, is must go through two more processes to become aluminum. First, the Bauxite goes through a refining stage. Then, it gets smelted, and the result is molten aluminum, which is cast into ingots, and cut out into cans later.
Manufacture- First, the ingot is rolled into thin, flat sheets that is cut into circles that make the bottom and sides of the can, and is then pulled up to form a cup. It then goes into a second machine, to make the size of the can precisely what it needs to be. the walls are then thinned, and the bottom punched inward, to counteract the pressure of the Coca Cola liquid once it is in the can. the top of the can is then cut to make straight, as there are always small ripples called "ears" that result from the crystalline structure of the can. The Can then gets its signature "Coca Cola" can design added on to the outside of the can, and the top is squeezed in to make a neck, and flanged at the very top, which will be folded over once the top is added. the liquid is then put into the cup and the top is then placed on, at which point the can is ready to be packaged, shipped, and drank.
Use- Once the Can has been finished, it is shipped from the plant it was manufactured at to stores across the world. Coca-Cola cans come in packages of 6, 12, and 30, or can be bought individually at some select locations. After the liquid in the can is drank, the dispose process begins.
Dispose- After the Coca Cola liquid has been drank from the can, it can be reused to make more aluminum products. the recycling of cans is extremely energy efficient for Coca Cola, as well as reusing old cans, instead of throwing them in a landfill, is also much more efficient.
Interesting reused Coca Cola Can concepts
Sources
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Soft-Drink.html
http://aluminium.org.au/flowchart/bauxite-mining.html
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/spring08/Cantwell/how.html
http://aluminium.org.au/flowchart/bauxite-mining.html
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/spring08/Cantwell/how.html
Conclusion Questions
a. What is meant by product lifecycle?
A Product lifecycle is a recording or documentation of a product through the 5 stages it goes through from before it is used, as it goes through the market, and after is is no longer sold as the original product.
b. Why is it important for companies who make products to research and determine a product’s potential lifecycle?
To see the potential reuse of the product as we enter the recycling age, as well as to compare it to other lifecycles to make sure they are doing it in the most efficient way possible.
c. What would you change about your product? Why?
First, i would make the drink taste actually desirable, but maybe try to stop extracting Bauxite, and only use recycled materials to conserve the Earth's resources.
d. Do you think your product will evolve or become obsolete over time? Why?
I think that Coca Cola is so sugary and good-tasting to some, that the drink will be around for a very long time. i also believe that aluminum is a good packaging source, as it can be used and reused easily and efficiently.
e. What is a trade-off?
A trade-off is when you choose one product over another
f. Do you think that trade-offs were made during the design phase of your product?
Im sure, as there were earlier materials used before aluminum cans that didnt work as well that they traded off for aluminum
g. Why is it important to recycle?
recycling is important for many reasons. recycling helps conserve natural resources that may eventually run out. also, as humans keep creating trash, we will eventually run out of places to put this trash, and begin living in our own filth.
h. How do product designers play a role in recycling?
Designers design the products that are either recyclable, or not. they truly are the only ones that determine if their goods are going to be recycled or not, having a huge role in recycling.
i. What role does society play in the recycling effort?
Society as a whole is trying to save the planet through reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling their unwanted goods. Also, now that we have become more educated on the advantages of the recycling effort, we are more likely to choose products made out of recycled material or that can be recycled in the future
j. What can you do to help?
Us as the consumers can take part in going green activities, buy recycled/recyclable products, and support businesses taking part in their responsibility to reduce wastes.
A Product lifecycle is a recording or documentation of a product through the 5 stages it goes through from before it is used, as it goes through the market, and after is is no longer sold as the original product.
b. Why is it important for companies who make products to research and determine a product’s potential lifecycle?
To see the potential reuse of the product as we enter the recycling age, as well as to compare it to other lifecycles to make sure they are doing it in the most efficient way possible.
c. What would you change about your product? Why?
First, i would make the drink taste actually desirable, but maybe try to stop extracting Bauxite, and only use recycled materials to conserve the Earth's resources.
d. Do you think your product will evolve or become obsolete over time? Why?
I think that Coca Cola is so sugary and good-tasting to some, that the drink will be around for a very long time. i also believe that aluminum is a good packaging source, as it can be used and reused easily and efficiently.
e. What is a trade-off?
A trade-off is when you choose one product over another
f. Do you think that trade-offs were made during the design phase of your product?
Im sure, as there were earlier materials used before aluminum cans that didnt work as well that they traded off for aluminum
g. Why is it important to recycle?
recycling is important for many reasons. recycling helps conserve natural resources that may eventually run out. also, as humans keep creating trash, we will eventually run out of places to put this trash, and begin living in our own filth.
h. How do product designers play a role in recycling?
Designers design the products that are either recyclable, or not. they truly are the only ones that determine if their goods are going to be recycled or not, having a huge role in recycling.
i. What role does society play in the recycling effort?
Society as a whole is trying to save the planet through reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling their unwanted goods. Also, now that we have become more educated on the advantages of the recycling effort, we are more likely to choose products made out of recycled material or that can be recycled in the future
j. What can you do to help?
Us as the consumers can take part in going green activities, buy recycled/recyclable products, and support businesses taking part in their responsibility to reduce wastes.