An improved micro analysis-based energy consumption and carbon emissions modeling approach for a milling center

Abstract

The complex structure and large number of energy-consuming components in a machine tool provide a constant challenge to the researchers to characterize and model the energy consumption during a machining process. Recently, Therblig-based energy model in conjunction with value stream mapping has been used to identify and reduce the energy waste in a turning process. However, this model does not depict the information of energy consumption and carbon emissions throughout the process. Hence, it is difficult to estimate how much energy consumption and carbon emissions are caused by each activity. This paper presents an improved micro analysis of the energy and carbon emissions for each activity of a machining process on a value stream map. A case study of milling process is provided to illustrate the proposed methodology. The case study shows the improvement in energy efficiency, time efficiency, and carbon emissions. The energy and carbon emissions of each activity provide better transparency of energy flow and carbon emissions information throughout the machining process. The proposed methodology can not only be used to reduce the peak load at the factory level but also help to develop potential energy and carbon emission reduction strategies during the process planning stage.