Functionality Assessment of Ecodesign Support System

Abstract

Purpose. Female runners are known to be at greater risk from chronic running injuries than age-matched males, although the exact mechanisms are often poorly understood. The aim of the current investigation was to determine if female recreational runners exhibit distinct limb and joint stiffness characteristics in relation to their male counterparts. Methods. Fourteen male and fourteen female runners ran over a force platform at 4.0 m · s -1 . Lower limb kinematics were collected using an eight-camera optoelectric motion capture system operating at 250 Hz. Measures of limb and joint stiffness were calculated as a function of limb length and joint moments divided by the extent of limb and joint excursion. All stiffness and joint moment parameters were normalized to body mass. Sex differences in normalized limb and knee and ankle joint stiffness were examined statistically using independent samples t tests. Results. The results indicate that normalized limb (male = 0.18 ± 0.07, female = 0.37 ± 0.10 kN · kg · m -1 ) and knee stiffness (male = 5.59 ± 2.02, female = 7.34 ± 1.78 Nm · kg · rad -1 ) were significantly greater in female runners. Conclusions. On the basis that normalized knee and limb stiffness were shown to be significantly greater in female runners, the findings from the current investigation may provide further insight into the aetiology of the distinct injury patterns observed between sexes.

Automatization of the Ecodesign Process of Small Household Appliances based on CAD 3D System

“…It is a complex tool that assists the designer in order to select the correct and environmentally friendly materials, in order to decrease the environmental impact of designed products while ensuring technical (e.g. materials) coefficients [4,19,21]. The next example is SolidWorks Sustainability module that can be used for practical implementation of selected sustainable development strategies at the design phase.…”

“…It eliminates: -the need to reconsider the product structure, -the need to manually aggregate the parameters relevant for the recyclability evaluation, -the need to re-introduce above mentioned parameters to third party systems [4]. A brief description of how the methodology is applied is presented in the next chapter.…”

“…The basic assumption was to supplement the geometric 3D model that included already numerous combinations of joints, with material and disassembly attributes. These attributes were necessary to carry out the analysis and the recyclability evaluation (calculations were performed with the support of the agent system) [4]. The first stage of work consisted in preparing all the necessary 3D models of the product (Fig.…”

“…Specified parts had to be given material attributes -using a specially prepared material database that was developed and uploaded to the system. Basic groups of construction materials and plastics were listed in database in which compatibility matrix was also defined [4].…”

“…The main determinants, divided into internal and external factors, are described in the authors' previous papers [4,5].…”