Environment

Product Initiatives (Promote Environmentally Conscious Design)

Sustainability - Product Initiatives (Promote Environmentally Conscious Design)

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Promote environmentally conscious design

Policy

Promote environmentally conscious design

The Meiden Group is promoting development of environmentally conscious products that reduce our impact on the environment.

Product environmental assessment

Product environmental assessment

Any time we develop a new product, we evaluate it for energy and resource conservation, recyclability, environmental safety, and more, based on our Product Environmental Assessment Standard. If a product meets those standards, we certify it as a Meidensha Green Product.

To create products that are even more environmentally conscious and contribute to the decarbonization of society, we have also introduced and begun operating a system of “super green products,” which are even better than green products.

For the evaluation item “consideration of lifecycle,” we calculate CO2 emissions according to a life cycle assessment (LCA), and we encourage environmentally conscious design in order to reduce CO2 emissions.

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Life cycle assessment (LCA) initiatives

Initiatives

Life cycle assessment (LCA) initiatives

Environment label (type Ⅱ) indicating conformity with Meidensha Green Product standards
Environment label (type Ⅱ) indicating conformity with Meidensha Green Product standards

The Meiden Group conducts an assessment of the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, from procurement of components through to disposal, in accordance with our Guidelines for Environmental Action. We use the LCA method to quantify the environmental impact of products and services, which helps us to improve environmental performance at the design and development stage and to conduct product explanations to customers and PR, etc.

Product environmental assessment standards

Classification Items
Product volume reduction
  • Weight reduction
  • External dimensions and capacity
  • Reduction of number of components
Energy and resource conservation
  • Reduction of power consumption
  • Water saving
  • Reduction of consumables
  • Reduction of packaging volume (reduction of plastic packaging)
3R
  • Use of recycled materials
  • Separability of materials
  • Ease of collection and transport
Long-term usability
  • Maintainability
  • Reliability and durability
Prohibited substances
  • Environmental friendliness
Life cycle consideration
  • Reduction of life cycle environmental impact
  • Disclosure of information concerning evaluation of environmental impact
Environmental safety
  • Danger of fire or explosion
  • Danger at time of dismantlement
  • Environmental measures
Other
  • Entered contests for national-level awards
  • Top runner products (compared to other companies)

Green Products Previously Registered

[FY2022] Names of Registered Green Products

[Product] Smart Maintenance System for Railway Operators (a product using an IoT controller)
Product overview In response to the shortage of new engineers due to the declining birthrate and aging population, railway operators are increasingly practicing CBM (Condition Based Maintenance) and labor-saving patrols and inspections. The purpose is to perform facility maintenance as efficiently as possible.
To meet this need, we have developed a maintenance system that collects and stores information from sensors and meters attached to power receiving and transforming facilities and transmits it to higher-level equipment. This solution uses our IoT controller, which consumes less power than conventional products.
Photo
IoT Controller
How it is eco-friendly The following are features of this product, with comparisons to an earlier Meiden product.
  • 13% less energy consumption
  • Lifecycle CO2 emissions reduced 46% thanks to maintenance efficiencies, such as labor-saving patrols and inspections
LCA estimate results
Lifecycle CO2 emissions
Lifecycle CO2 emissions

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[FY2020] Names of Registered Green Products

[Product] Drive Robot
Product overview An autonomous driving system for finished vehicles on a chassis dynamometer.
An electric actuator operates the accelerator, clutch, transmission, brakes, and ignition key in the same way a human driver would.
The main body of the drive robot has a single-body construction that is now made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) instead of the conventional metal.
写真
Drive Robot
How it is eco-friendly The following are features of this product, with comparisons to an earlier Meiden product (a conventional seat-mounted drive robot).
  • CFRP single-body construction is 55% lighter and 58% more compact
  • Improved robot drive system reduces energy consumption by 22%
LCA estimate results
Life cycle CO2 emissions
Life cycle CO2 emissions
Awards won
Red Dot Design Award
iF DESIGN AWARD 2024

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[FY2019] Names of Registered Green Products

[Product] High-Capacity, High-Speed PM Motor/Drive System
Product overview A high-capacity, high-speed PM motor (permanent magnet synchronous motor) operating at speeds of 10,000 RPM or more and inverter capable of high-frequency output.
It achieves high-speed drive thanks to high-capacity, high-speed rotation technology and optimal inverter design.
Photo
High-capacity, high-speed PM motor
High-capacity, high-speed PM motor
High-voltage high-frequency inverter THYFREC VT731PM
High-voltage high-frequency inverter THYFREC VT731PM
How it is eco-friendly The following are features of this product, with comparisons to an earlier Meiden product (gear-increasing induction motor drive).
  • With its high speed, motor volume is reduced to just one-fifth that of the conventional motor for smaller size and space savings
  • PM motor and high-speed drive reduce energy consumption by 20% as a system
LCA estimate results
Life cycle CO2 emissions
Life cycle CO2 emissions

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[Product] Simple IP-TC EC4-TC
Product overview Remote monitoring and control equipment using built-in PC for hydroelectric power plants.
Runs on Linux 64-bit OS and connects to PLCs* from four manufacturers. Static electric discharge noise conforms to B-402 electric power standard.
  • *PLC: Programmable Logic Controller
Photo
Simple IP-TC EC4-TC
How it is eco-friendly The following are features of this product, with comparisons to an earlier Meiden product (EC101D).
  • Optimal design reduces energy consumption by 33%
  • Changes to unit structure facilitate maintenance
LCA estimate results
Life cycle CO2 emissions
Life cycle CO2 emissions

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