International Journal of Modern Manufacturing Technologies ISSN 2067–3604, Vol. II, No. 1 / 2010 73 REALIZATION PHASE OF MODEL IN TERMS OF ECODESIGN Jeni Pralea 1 & Monica Pop 1 1 Art University “George Enescu” of Iasi-Romania, Department of Design, Horia Street No. 7-9, 700126 Iasi, Romania Corresponding author: Jeni Pralea, jpralea@yahoo.com Abstract: Making a model of a product represents an important stage in product design. Model would include representation of the shape, size, color, ergonomics and also product functions. This stage involves a financial effort, model requiring time, energy, consumables. This paper presents results of experimental research conducted by the ecodesign light on the identification of solutions for replacing supplies scarce, expensive. Based on studies of the realization of models was identified a simple and cheap solution which consists in using silica silicate “water glass” as hardener in achieving models on 3D Printer machine. The solution found can be applied in case of some models of waste resulting from wood processing (sawdust) using “water glass” as a binder. Key words: model, design, ecodesign, silica silicate 1. INTRODUCTION The model represents an important phase in designing an industrial product. The making of the model supposes a phase of preparation, respectively a phase of analyze, which means: analyzing the making costs and conditions, establishing waste management, identifying the reduction potentials, anticipating the legal decisions, the macro and micro geometry of the proposed form, the gauge, the functions, the ergonomics and chromatics of the product. The model creates for the designer the possibility of checking the ideas and solutions of the proposed project, and for the beneficiary the possibility to understand the concept proposed by the designer. Taking into account that designers are involved during the whole life of a product, they have to guarantee the best ecological solutions concerning the impact of the products on the environment, including the ecological evaluation of the modeling phase (Pralea et al., 2009). So, it will be taken into consideration the shape of the product and the marks, the finishing of the surfaces are composed of, the assembling possibilities of the component marks, the scale at which the model is being made at, the materials used to make the model, the technological procedures through which the model is made and also the equipments used for making the model (energy consumption, materials etc.) (Pralea et al., 2009). Taking into consideration the products circle of life, decisions are taken which permit obtaining the most important ecological and economical benefits and also the identification of the potentials specific to each phase of the product’s life circle (Pralea, 2009). The managerial decision concerning the modality to make the model is based on the evaluation of cost reduction possibilities. 2. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM The ECODESIGN products fulfill certain criteria: recycling capability, low consumption of materials and energy, durability, avoiding toxic materials, optimal advantages for the customer, and use of regional resources. The entire evolution of the product, starting with the fabrication till elimination, must be kept under observation in order to develop solutions which are most profitable and most compatible with the surrounding environment. The products must be designed and made, even in the modeling phase, so that they become profitable, compatible with the surrounding environment but also innovating (Ecodesign, Grant CNCSIS, 2007). To achieve such objectives the followings must be taken into consideration: the innovations of the product, cost reduction, high advantages for the customers, regional implications, image improvement, thrust and prestige. Although the technologies used to make the models are advanced, there are problems concerning the procurement of the consumables and their cost price (Pralea et al., 2009). A permanent identification of alternative, comfortable and cheap solutions is requested and also finding new substances and/or materials, usable in the modeling phase. 3. INTERNATIONAL LEVEL Starting with these facts it was searched the optimal solution to replace a material which is hard to be procured, it is adverse from purchasing point of view and expensive from price point of view, the infiltrant Z-Bond 101. Experiments to replace the infiltrant Z- Bond 101 were made, used as a hardener for the models made on the 3D printer Zprinter 310 Plus, made out of ZP 131 powder, with a hardener which is a common substance, easy to procure, the sodium