Sneha Varshney,
- Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, United College of Engineering and Research, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
In the contemporary landscape of manufacturing, sustainability is no longer optional; it is imperative. Within this context, machine tool construction presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities: these heavy, energy-intensive pieces of capital equipment operate across long lifecycles, consume substantial embodied energy and materials, and eventually require disposal or remanufacture. This study explores eco-design approaches tailored specifically to modern machine tools, covering the full lifecycle from material sourcing and structure through operational efficiency, modularity, and remanufacturing, to end-of-life. Key strategies include lightweight and hybrid structural materials, modular and reconfigurable design enabling upgrades rather than replacement, energy-efficient drives and controls, digital monitoring for predictive maintenance, and lifecycle assessment (LCA) frameworks to guide choices. The review draws on recent literature in machine tool energy-consumption modelling, remanufacturing of conventional machines into CNC tools, modular “green” machine tool concepts, and eco-mechatronics design philosophy. It highlights how manufacturers of machine tools can integrate sustainability criteria, including resource efficiency, recyclability, energy use, and circular economy principles, into their design, manufacturing, and business models. The study also discusses barriers to adoption (cost, standards, market acceptance) and proposes a roadmap for future research and industrial implementation. Ultimately, the aim is to provide both an academic synthesis and a practical blueprint for how eco-design can help machine tool builders and users deliver improved environmental performance without sacrificing precision, reliability, or competitiveness.
Keywords: Lifecycle assessment, ultra high-performance concrete, life cycle costing, eco-comparison ratio
[This article belongs to Trends in Machine design ]
Sneha Varshney. Eco-Design Approaches in Modern Machine Tool Construction. Trends in Machine design. 2025; 12(03):23-29.
Sneha Varshney. Eco-Design Approaches in Modern Machine Tool Construction. Trends in Machine design. 2025; 12(03):23-29. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/tmd/article=2025/view=235066
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Trends in Machine design
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 03 |
| Received | 06/11/2025 |
| Accepted | 11/11/2025 |
| Published | 24/11/2025 |
| Publication Time | 18 Days |
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