Makespaces: From Redistributed Manufacturing to a Circular Economy

Sharon Prendeville*, Grit Hartung, Erica Purvis, Clare Brass, Ashley Hall

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Redistributed manufacturing is an emerging concept which captures the anticipated reshoring and localisation of production from large scale mass manufacturing plants to smaller-scale localised, customisable production units, largely driven by new digital production technologies. Critically, community-based digital fabrication workshops, or makespaces, are anticipated to be one hothouse for this new era of localised production and as such are key to future sustainable design and manufacturing practices. In parallel, the concept of the circular economy conceptualises the move from a linear economy of take-make-waste to a closed loop system, through repair, remanufacturing, and recycling to ultimately extend the value of products and materials. Despite the clear interplay between redistributed manufacturing and circular economy, there is limited research exploring this relationship. In light of these interconnected developments, the aim of this paper is to explore the role of makespaces in contributing to a circular economy through redistributed manufacturing activities. This is achieved through six semi-structured interviews with thought leaders on these topics. The research findings identify barriers and opportunities to both circular economy and redistributed manufacturing, uncover overlaps between circular economy and redistributed manufacturing, and identify a range of future research directions that can support the coming together of these areas. The research contributes to a wider conversation on embedding circular practices within makespaces and their role in redistributed manufacturing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSustainable Design and Manufacturing 2016
EditorsR Setchi, R.J. Howlett, Y Liu, P. Theobald
PublisherSpringer
Pages577-588
Number of pages12
Volume52
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-32098-4
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-32096-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event3rd International Conference on Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, SDM 2016 - Chania, Greece
Duration: 4 Apr 20166 Apr 2016

Publication series

NameSmart Innovation, Systems and Technologies
Volume52
ISSN (Print)21903018
ISSN (Electronic)21903026

Conference

Conference3rd International Conference on Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, SDM 2016
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityChania
Period4/04/166/04/16

Keywords

  • Redistributed manufacturing
  • Circular economy
  • Design
  • Making

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