163
8.5.1.3 Additional Features
Within the “Material” section is a button labeled “Find Similar” which helps users
to reduce the environmental impacts of the part based on the material choice. The
user can choose to set criteria for a variety of material properties that the material
must meet. These properties include elastic modulus (in N/m
2
), shear modulus (in
N/m
2
), thermal expansion coefficient (per K), density (in kg/m
3
), and tensile strength
(in N/m
2
). The conditions for each material property include any, which signifies
that the value of the property is not important, or <,>,~ a value. After setting the
criteria, pressing the “Find Similar” button will bring up a list of all of the materials
that satisfy the requirements and their material properties. Clicking on a material
will show the percent change across the four impact categories, as well as financial
impacts. The “Manufacturing Process” input gives the user the ability to select the
type of manufacturing that will be used, and the environmental impacts are updated
accordingly.
8.5.1.4 View Results
Beneath all of the panels to enter information is the “Environmental Impact” dashboard that has a real-time display of environmental impacts, across the impact categories and life cycle stages, as well as the financial impact. At the bottom of this
window, the user has the option to pick the calculation method, choosing between
TRACI and CML. Instead of displaying the results for each impact category as total
values, they are broken down graphically by percent. A pie chart for each impact
category shows what percent each life cycle stage makes up of the total impact.
Each impact category, along with the LCC at the bottom, compares percent change,
either to the previous design or established baseline set by the user. The easy graphical indication of each impact category updates live with each change and allows the
user to quickly understand how each decision affects the environmental profile of
an object.
8.5.1.5 Assembly File: Assign Properties
The process for defining the life cycle impacts of an assembly file is similar to that
of a part file. Upon first opening the SolidWorks Sustainability task pane, the user is
presented with a “Task List” of any part files that are missing material definitions, if
there are any. The user is given the option to set the material, and include all of the
manufacturing details, or to exclude that part from the overall study. After all parts
have a material definition, the user needs to input information about the assembly as
a whole, starting with information about the assembly process. The user must input
information about the region of assembly and how long the assembly is built to last.
Similar to the case of the materials assigned to a whole building assembly, if a part
is built to last for less time than the assembly, it will be counted more than once in
8.5 LCIA Tools at Different Scales
8.5.1.3 Additional Features
Within the “Material” section is a button labeled “Find Similar” which helps users
to reduce the environmental impacts of the part based on the material choice. The
user can choose to set criteria for a variety of material properties that the material
must meet. These properties include elastic modulus (in N/m
2
), shear modulus (in
N/m
2
), thermal expansion coefficient (per K), density (in kg/m
3
), and tensile strength
(in N/m
2
). The conditions for each material property include any, which signifies
that the value of the property is not important, or <,>,~ a value. After setting the
criteria, pressing the “Find Similar” button will bring up a list of all of the materials
that satisfy the requirements and their material properties. Clicking on a material
will show the percent change across the four impact categories, as well as financial
impacts. The “Manufacturing Process” input gives the user the ability to select the
type of manufacturing that will be used, and the environmental impacts are updated
accordingly.
8.5.1.4 View Results
Beneath all of the panels to enter information is the “Environmental Impact” dashboard that has a real-time display of environmental impacts, across the impact categories and life cycle stages, as well as the financial impact. At the bottom of this
window, the user has the option to pick the calculation method, choosing between
TRACI and CML. Instead of displaying the results for each impact category as total
values, they are broken down graphically by percent. A pie chart for each impact
category shows what percent each life cycle stage makes up of the total impact.
Each impact category, along with the LCC at the bottom, compares percent change,
either to the previous design or established baseline set by the user. The easy graphical indication of each impact category updates live with each change and allows the
user to quickly understand how each decision affects the environmental profile of
an object.
8.5.1.5 Assembly File: Assign Properties
The process for defining the life cycle impacts of an assembly file is similar to that
of a part file. Upon first opening the SolidWorks Sustainability task pane, the user is
presented with a “Task List” of any part files that are missing material definitions, if
there are any. The user is given the option to set the material, and include all of the
manufacturing details, or to exclude that part from the overall study. After all parts
have a material definition, the user needs to input information about the assembly as
a whole, starting with information about the assembly process. The user must input
information about the region of assembly and how long the assembly is built to last.
Similar to the case of the materials assigned to a whole building assembly, if a part
is built to last for less time than the assembly, it will be counted more than once in
8.5 LCIA Tools at Different Scales