Sustainable Prototyping: Linking Quality and Environmental Impact via QFD and LCA

Sustainable development requires manufacturers to deliver products that are not only of good quality but also environmentally friendly. The materials used play a crucial role in product manufacturing. They not only directly determine quality but also influence the environment throughout the product’s life cycle. Therefore, the aim was to develop an innovative approach based on the modelling of the relationship between materials and product quality within the framework of the sustainable design of alternative product solutions. The model framework includes selected elements of Quality Functional Development (QFD) and the first stage of life cycle assessment (LCA), namely, material acquisition and extraction. Its novelty lies in supporting the modelling process with life cycle data on materials characterised by their environmental burden. This modelling is based on their potential negative environment impact. Using this foundation, it becomes possible to consider alternative design solutions in terms of both quality (i.e., fulfilling customer satisfaction during use) and environmental performance (i.e., reducing the negative impact throughout the life cycle). The proposed modelling process was also tested, demonstrating its effectiveness in the material analysis of products. The solution can be applied to any material, and, with minor modifications, adapted to various product types.