Sustainable Tool from Granta Featured in Autodesk Inventor 2012 Software

By DE Editors

Autodesk, Inc. has introduced a new tool for sustainable design within Autodesk Inventor 2012 software, called Eco Materials Adviser, the result of a strategic partnership between Granta Design and Autodesk. Eco Materials Adviser can help designers estimate a product’s environmental impact and to make more sustainable design decisions.

Using Eco Materials Adviser, a designer can quickly generate an eco impact analysis for a product part or assembly within Autodesk Inventor software. A dashboard display shows key indicators such as energy usage, CO2 footprint, water usage, and materials cost. The user can interactively explore the effect of changes in the materials choice or design of their digital prototype. The tool is powered by Granta’s materials database and sustainable design methodology. With Eco Materials Adviser, designers and engineers can:

• Address environmental requirements early in the design process
• Access a practical eco design tool that does not require the user to develop expertise in sustainability, or to hunt for the right eco data
• Design more sustainable, cost-effective, and durable products
• Communicate the benefits of enhanced materials selections

An introductory version of Eco Materials Adviser is available to Autodesk Inventor users as part of the 2012 Manufacturing Software Portfolio release.

For more information, visit Granta Design Limited and Autodesk, Inc.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.