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8.5.1.1 Access the Dashboard
SolidWorks has two different sustainability products. SolidWorks
SustainabilityXpress comes with the software and has limited functionality.
SolidWorks Sustainability comes with SolidWorks Premium and has expanded
functionality. This chapter is presenting the functionality and usage of the full
SolidWorks Sustainability. SolidWorks Sustainability is accessed from the “Evaluate
Tab” within SolidWorks. Opening it brings up a task pane on the right of the screen
with all of the inputs, as well as results clearly laid out for the user. Information is
entered, and results are generated real time, for both part and assembly files which
gives the user the ability to critically analyze and improve their design at multiple
stages and scales throughout the design process. The results of the study are displayed for the life cycle stages material, manufacturing, use, end of life, and transportation. Impacts are displayed for carbon footprint (in CO 2 eq), energy consumption
(in MJ), air acidification (in SO 2 eq), and water eutrophication (in PO 4 eq). The dashboard also provides real-time updates on the financial impacts of the design, with a
simplified LCC built in.
8.5.1.2 Part File: Assign Materials
In a part file, the user is asked to define information on the material, manufacturing,
use, transportation, and end of life. Starting with the material that the part is made
of, the options are organized first by class and then name. There are many different,
highly specific material choices to pick from for each material class. After defining
the material, a default recycled content based on default trade mixes is displayed
and can be updated. Underneath this, the weight (in pounds) of the part is displayed.
After defining the material, the user then needs to give information on the manufacturing process of the part, starting with the region where the part is manufactured
and how long it is manufactured to last. SolidWorks Sustainability has data available for North America, Europe, Asia, Japan, South America, Australia, and India.
This information is used for the manufacturing technologies and energy used in
creation. Lastly, the user enters information about the type of manufacturing process being used and the finish or coating on the part, if any. The user can also input
information about the total energy usage, total natural gas usage, and scrap rate of
the manufacturing process.
The remaining information required relates to the use, transportation, and end of
life of the product. The “Use” section asks the user to select the region the part will
be used in. In the “Transportation” section, the user can see the default transportation methods and distances of the part from manufacturing to use as well as update
them to be specific to the project. Lastly, the “End of Life” section asks the user for
information about how the part will be disposed of at the end of its life based on
percent recycled, incinerated, and sent to landfill. Default values, based on the
selected material, are set, but the user can enter more specific information if it is
available to them.
8 Dashboard
8.5.1.1 Access the Dashboard
SolidWorks has two different sustainability products. SolidWorks
SustainabilityXpress comes with the software and has limited functionality.
SolidWorks Sustainability comes with SolidWorks Premium and has expanded
functionality. This chapter is presenting the functionality and usage of the full
SolidWorks Sustainability. SolidWorks Sustainability is accessed from the “Evaluate
Tab” within SolidWorks. Opening it brings up a task pane on the right of the screen
with all of the inputs, as well as results clearly laid out for the user. Information is
entered, and results are generated real time, for both part and assembly files which
gives the user the ability to critically analyze and improve their design at multiple
stages and scales throughout the design process. The results of the study are displayed for the life cycle stages material, manufacturing, use, end of life, and transportation. Impacts are displayed for carbon footprint (in CO 2 eq), energy consumption
(in MJ), air acidification (in SO 2 eq), and water eutrophication (in PO 4 eq). The dashboard also provides real-time updates on the financial impacts of the design, with a
simplified LCC built in.
8.5.1.2 Part File: Assign Materials
In a part file, the user is asked to define information on the material, manufacturing,
use, transportation, and end of life. Starting with the material that the part is made
of, the options are organized first by class and then name. There are many different,
highly specific material choices to pick from for each material class. After defining
the material, a default recycled content based on default trade mixes is displayed
and can be updated. Underneath this, the weight (in pounds) of the part is displayed.
After defining the material, the user then needs to give information on the manufacturing process of the part, starting with the region where the part is manufactured
and how long it is manufactured to last. SolidWorks Sustainability has data available for North America, Europe, Asia, Japan, South America, Australia, and India.
This information is used for the manufacturing technologies and energy used in
creation. Lastly, the user enters information about the type of manufacturing process being used and the finish or coating on the part, if any. The user can also input
information about the total energy usage, total natural gas usage, and scrap rate of
the manufacturing process.
The remaining information required relates to the use, transportation, and end of
life of the product. The “Use” section asks the user to select the region the part will
be used in. In the “Transportation” section, the user can see the default transportation methods and distances of the part from manufacturing to use as well as update
them to be specific to the project. Lastly, the “End of Life” section asks the user for
information about how the part will be disposed of at the end of its life based on
percent recycled, incinerated, and sent to landfill. Default values, based on the
selected material, are set, but the user can enter more specific information if it is
available to them.
8 Dashboard