Towards Integrating LCA into CAD
Year: 2009
Editor: Norell Bergendahl, M.; Grimheden, M.; Leifer, L.; Skogstad, P.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Ostad-Ahmad-Ghorabi, Hesamedin; Collado-Ruiz, Daniel; Wimmer, Wolfgang
Series: ICED
Section: Design for X, Design to X
Page(s): 301-310
Abstract
Engineering design is done in CAD systems. Environmental assessment is done by using LCA software. Both worlds have strong relationships - especially when Ecodesign is to be implemented - but they are not necessarily connected. The project presented in this paper wants to link both worlds and show how the reduction of the environmental impact can be considered during engineering design processes. CAD systems include much information about different parameters of the product life cycle, from which Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can benefit. This paper describes an approach by which LCA could be integrated into CAD systems to provide an easy to apply environmental evaluation in early design stages.
Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Ecodesign, CAD, Visualization, LCA-family