Total Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Processes

To evaluate the environmental impact of products, we propose a total performance indicator (TPI), an efficiency index that simultaneously takes into account cost, environmental impact, and value. We propose applying the TPI to evaluating manufacturing processes. Calculating the TPI of manufacturing-process segments lets us clarify bottlenecks limiting the enhancing of performance. We focus on a ceramic filter manufacturing process, determining segments that contribute little to creating value and cause considerable environmental impact and cost. Designers evaluating manufacturing processes using the TPI can quickly determine processes that are not “eco-efficient.”