top of page

The Role of PLM Software in Sustainable Electronics Design

Earl Williams

the role of PLM software in sustainable electronic design

Creating energy-efficient and recyclable electronics reduces environmental harm and meets consumers' and regulations' increasing demands for sustainability. In this blog post, the software development team at Fidelity Solutions discusses how custom product lifecycle management (PLM) software helps electronics manufacturers meet their sustainability targets while staying competitive in a fast-changing market. 

What Is PLM Software? 

Product lifecycle management (PLM) software is a digital tool that helps companies manage every stage of a product’s life, from the initial idea and design to disposal or recycling. Teams can collaborate, share data, and make more efficient decisions in one central hub. 


core features of PLM software

Core features of PLM software include: 

  • Centralized Data Management: Store production designs, materials, and specifications in one place for easy access and updates. 

  • Design Collaboration: Teams can collaborate on products in real time to create consistent and error-free designs. 

  • Lifecycle Tracking: Track how a product performs and its condition from production to the end of its life. 

  • Compliance Management: Create products that follow environmental rules by monitoring the materials and processes used. 

  • Integration with Other Systems: Connect PLM software with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. 

How PLM Software Drives Energy-Efficient Electronics Design 

Let’s say an electronics manufacturer we’ll call GreenCircuits wants to create a new line of smart thermostats that use 30% less energy than its competitors. The company implements PLM tools by Fidelity Solutions to achieve this goal by: 

  • Optimizing energy-efficient designs 

  • Simulating energy usage 

  • Integrating material databases 

Optimizing Energy-Efficient Designs 

Our PLM tool helps GreenCircuits’ engineering team design the thermostat’s circuitry by modeling energy use in real time, spotting inefficiencies, and allowing for early adjustments in the design phase. For example, the team simulates different circuit layouts to find the one that reduces energy loss during operation. 

[H3] Simulating Energy Usage 

The team uses advanced energy simulations in Fidelity Solutions’ PLM software to test how the thermostat works in different situations, like changing temperatures or varying electricity supply. These simulations show how the design will use energy over time and help the team make specific adjustments to lower the product's energy use without losing effectiveness. 

Integrating Material Databases 

Fidelity Solutions’ PLM software connects to an updated database of materials and parts, like TrustedParts.com, to help GreenCircuits choose low-power microcontrollers and energy-efficient display components. The software also identifies components certified as eco-friendly so the manufacturer follows energy-saving rules and meets their sustainability goals. 

Results 

After many improvements, GreenCircuits created a thermostat with more energy-efficient, recyclable components. GreenCircuits has become a leader in sustainable electronics, lowering costs and meeting customer demand for environmentally friendly products. 

How PLM Software Improves Recyclability of Electronics 

Sticking to the hypothetical example, GreenCircuits takes a proactive approach to making its energy-efficient thermostat recyclable. The electronics company leverages our PLM software to: 

  • Streamline material tracking 

  • Optimize design for disassembly 

  • Ensure compliance with global recycling standards 

Streamline Material Tracking 

GreenCircuits uses PLM software by Fidelity Solutions to build a complete database of all materials in the thermostat, including details about each material's properties, whether it’s recyclable, and whether it meets regulations. 

The software can quickly identify harmful or non-recyclable materials so the team can replace them with eco-friendly options. As a result, the final product won’t contain restricted substances like lead and mercury, as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) requires. 

Designing for Disassembly 

The engineering team uses PLM tools to design the thermostat with recycling in mind. They focus on features like snap-fit components and modular assemblies to make disassembly for recycling easy. The PLM software helps find any problems recyclers might encounter to ensure a smoother recycling workflow. 

Complying with Global Regulations 

PLM software helps track compliance with global recycling standards, such as the WEEE Directive (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment), providing templates and checklists so the thermostat meets recycling quotas and documentation requirements. For example, GreenCircuits can create detailed reports on material composition and recycling rates. 

Results 

GreenCircuits produces a thermostat that uses less energy, is 95% recyclable, meets WEEE directives for Europe, and complies with RoHS globally, gaining a competitive edge and reducing environmental impact. 

choose custom PLM software by Fidelity Solutions

Why Electronics Manufacturers Should Choose Custom PLM Software by Fidelity Solutions 

Many electronics manufacturers struggle to meet their sustainability goals with off-the-shelf PLM software because it lacks customization, has rigid compliance with regulations, offers limited integration options, and uses resources inefficiently. Fidelity Solutions knows that achieving sustainability in electronics manufacturing requires a unique approach, not a one-size-fits-all solution. 

Here’s how our custom PLM software addresses these pain points: 

  1. Tailored to Your Sustainability Goals: We create dashboards, analytics, and workflows that match your vision of sustainability, whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, eliminating hazardous materials, or improving recyclability. 

  2. Up-to-Date Compliance Support: We build PLM systems that automatically update to align with new global regulations, so you stay compliant. Our software saves time, reduces risk, and keeps your products market-ready. 

  3. End-to-End Integration: Our PLM software seamlessly integrates with your existing IoT, AI, and supply chain management tools so that every aspect of your operations supports your sustainability goals. 

  4. Improved Efficiency & ROI: Eliminating unnecessary features and focusing on what matters to your business optimizes resource utilization and boosts ROI. You’ll see measurable progress while saving time and cutting costs. 

Contact the software development team at Fidelity Solutions to explore our expertise in creating custom PLM software to meet your sustainability and operational goals. 

4 views0 comments

Opmerkingen


bottom of page