What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development, or loosely referred to as sustainability, is a three-pronged development approach that seeks to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations. It is a balance between economic growth, social development and environmental protection.

The economic pillar is focused on promoting economic growth by creating jobs and reducing poverty, while ensuring long-term sustainability of natural resources.

The social pillar focuses on promoting social inclusion, reducing inequalities, and protecting human rights.

The environmental pillar is focused on protection and restoration of ecosystems, reduction in pollution and waste, and promotion of sustainable use of natural resources.

 

What is sustainability in the Precision Engineering industry?

As the world tackles these three pillars in tandem, what does it mean to the Precision Engineering industry, most specifically manufacturers that rely on CNC machining processes?

The importance of sustainability in Precision Engineering lies in the need to minimize the environmental impact of manufacturing processes and materials, and to ensure the long-term viability of the industry. The industry has a significant impact on the environment due to the amount of energy and resources required, as well as the generation of waste.

 

3 Cost Effective Solutions

Overcoming the inertia and moving towards sustainable practices can be daunting, especially to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industry. Many SMEs in the precision engineering industry operate on tight profit margins and may not have the resources to invest in sustainable practices.

Before plunging in head first into the depths of sustainability, we can approach improvements to current manufacturing practices with not the ABCs, but the PQRs of CNC machining.

 

Premium coolant with proper coolant management program

Premium coolant coupled with a robust and proper coolant management program brings 5 types of waste reduction.

1. Reduction of scrap tools and parts
2. Reduction in fluid consumption
3. Reduction in costs (Increase recyclability of coolan)
4. Reduction in energy consumption
5. Reduction in negative environmental impact (Improved cleanliness)

 

Quality customized cutting tools

We don’t have to repeat the benefits of quality, but what are customized cutting tools?

Combining several machining processes into one singular tool means that not only do you reduce the time and energy to fabricate your parts, you reduce your consumption of cutting tools which require additional resources to process.

 

Regrinding of used cutting tools

If it’s not broken, don’t throw it away! By resharpening cutting tools, businesses can save money on tool replacement costs and reduce the amount of waste generated.

Additionally, regrinding can help to restore the original geometry and cutting performance of tools, leading to increased productivity and improved product quality.

 

In conclusion

By adopting sustainable practices and minimizing waste, companies can reduce their environmental impact and improve their competitiveness in the market. In addition, the growing demand for sustainable products and services means that companies that prioritize sustainability are likely to be more successful in the long term. It is crucial for companies in the Precision Engineering industry to prioritize sustainability and waste reduction to ensure their continued success and contribute to a more sustainable future.

To find out more about the PQRs of manufacturing, stay tuned to our next post.