DFX Platform for life-cycle aspects analysis Piotr Ciechanowski 1a , Lukasz Malinowski a and Tomasz Nowak a a ABB Corporate Research, Poland. Abstract. “Design for X” is commonly regarded as a systematic and proactive designing of products to optimize total benefits over the whole product life span (fabrication, assembly, test, procurement, shipment, delivery, operation, service, disposal), and meet target quality, cost, performance and time-to-market. DFX involves different methodologies for product design and optimization (like Design for: Manufacturing, Assembly, Variety, Serviceability, Environment, Reliability, Utilization, etc.), which provide useful results, however, they address only specific aspects of product life-cycle. In addition, various perspectives for business economics can often drive to contradicted conclusions, what makes the evaluation of both technical feasibility and product profitability more difficult. In this paper the framework for DFX analysis was proposed. In the described solution, the various product life-cycle analysis strategies are integrated, and profit calculations relay on common denominator – the present value of net benefit. This approach allows covering of all phases of a product life cycle not excluding e.g. complex environmental aspects. Based on the proposed framework, the DFX Platform was developed and implemented as a web service. The application of the system to a few product developments carried out within cross- bordered manufacturing company showed its big positive impact on projects and their results. Keywords. DFX, measures of DFX, life cycle, cost/benefit model 1 Introduction Today's highly competitive global manufacturing environment requires continous improvement of producers efficiency. One way to achieve it is to increase an efficiency of individual engineering activities, e.g., through the introduction of IT technologies. Another way is to improve the coordination between development activities by application of Concurrent Engineering (CE) methodology and its means for supporting teamwork. Typical objectives of CE are to (1) optimize product quality, (2) minimize manufacturing cost, and (3) shorten delivery time. In this context, the application of the “Design for X” philosophy, which is commonly regarded as a systematic and proactive designing of products to optimize total benefits over the whole product life-cycle, seems to be appropriate. 1 Dr Piotr Ciechanowski; ABB Corporate Research; ul. Starowislna 13A, 31-038, Kraków, Poland; piotr.ciechanowski@pl.abb.com , tel. +48 12 4244114