I was recently invited to submit a Request For Proposal (RFP) to sell a Rapid Prototype Printer to the University of British Columbia (UBC). I am a sales guy at Javelin and I submit proposals like this one as a normal part of my workday. What struck me as unique on this particular RFP application was how much weight UBC placed on how environmentally sustainable the company was that was submitting the bid. It seemed like the environmental answers carried just as much weight as the features and benefits of the products that they were trying to sell them.
Javelin Technologies recently moved to a new location in Oakville and I knew that we had implemented quite a few green initiatives in the construction of the new building to reduce our environmental impact. I asked Ted Lee, one of the owners of Javelin, to help answer the environmental questions on the RFP. We won the bid at UBC. I would like to think that Ted’s answers had something to do with it.
SolidWorks Sustainability was introduced back in 2010 to assist engineers design renewable products in the early stages. Here is an interesting article on this topic.
Everyone knows what forecasting means, but have you heard of the term “backcasting”? With forecasts we want to know what the future will be like. Backcasting is a different mindset. Rather than trying to predict what happens in the future, we decide upfront what we want our future to be. Then we can make decisions and steps to turn that future into a reality. We have the power to create a better future and this is greater than any prediction.
Backcasting is important for sustainable development. Without a solid plan in place, the future may look more like current “forecasts” and less like the vision from our “backcast”. Not all will agree upon the exact future we desire, but working together in taking steps forward will benefit the planet and promote innovation.
SolidWorks Sustainability allows designers to review their decisions on materials, manufacturing and transportation of products to pinpoint areas where the environmental impact can be minimized. Keeping this in mind during the design stage will not only promote innovative green designs, but also reduce waste and overall production costs.
Here is a short video on “Designing for the Planet” from Joseph Vera from inkavera:
There are other great postings on inkavera’s blog at www.inkavera.com
Meatless Monday: Cattle as well as other large domestic animals are responsible for the production of methane, which is a much powerful greenhouse gas then carbon dioxide. Red meat has also been shown to increase the chance of heart disease and certain types of cancer. By reducing the amount of red meat you eat, not only do you help the environment, but you can also help your health.
If you’re thinking about how to create a healthier workplace environment, consider going low-VOC.
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals widely used as ingredients in products such as paint, building materials and furnishings, office equipment and cleaning supplies. Elevated levels of VOCs have been linked to eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, fatigue and other symptoms associated with sick building syndrome.
The future of design is eco-friendly! Javelin Technologies offers you Live Web Training that provides a low environmental impact with no travel required to attend training and no paper-based manuals being printed.
The SolidWorks Live Web training sessions are conveniently scheduled in two-hour sessions during the morning to allow you to complete the training quickly and then move on with your day. SolidWorks software does not need to be installed on your computer to participate in the training so can be completed in the comfort of your home or office. Only a phone and computer with internet access is needed.
LEDs replacing regular light bulbs or even compact fluorescent lamps (CFL)?
Can you go to the store today and buy a LED equivalent of 60 W light bulb?
We’re in the midst of the great lighting transformation, with solid-state LEDs on the cusp of transforming the lighting industry,” Eric Wesoff, a senior analyst at GTM Research, declared last week. “The Edison bulb will soon be a relic and CFLs an interim step.”
Nuclear power: the energy crisis has even die-hard environmentalists reconsidering it. In this first-ever TED debate, Stewart Brand and Mark Z. Jacobson square off over the pros and cons. A discussion that’ll make you think — and might even change your mind.
Worldwide awareness of environmental issues has never been more acute. Consumers are increasingly considering the environmental impact of products they buy. They’re not just looking at recyclability. They want to know about materials used and how the product was made. Manufacturers, in turn, are trying to respond to that growing demand.
What it means to you
As an engineer or product designer, you have the power to dramatically alter how we interact with our environment. The question is how. Many designers don’t know about the life cycle assessment (LCA) process or how it could guide them to more sustainable designs. Others may think the process is too complex and time-consuming, or is someone else’s responsibility. Learning about designing for the environment now will put you ahead of the curve.
What it means to your company
As a manufacturer, you have no choice but to address market changes. SolidWorks Sustainability is a tool that can help you stay profitable as consumers increasingly choose sustainably designed products. Using LCA information early in your design process will save your company time and money by avoiding surprising sustainability assessments and costly redesigns later. As a matter of global corporate citizenship, sustainable design means making decisions to ensure future environmental stability.
What are we doing to help you?
In addition to providing customers with SolidWorks Sustainability software, Javelin is currently working with Joseph Vera, an Environmental & Energy Specialist, to develop Sustainable Design Training Courses, Webinars, and Online Content to help our customers become more environmentally friendly designers.
Joseph Vera is a Professional Engineer with over 10 years experience in Product Development and Design. He is currently finishing a Masters in Engineering and Public Policy. His research specializes in Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Industrial Ecology, Green Engineering, and Sustainable Manufacturing Processes. Joseph’s professional goal, as an Environmental & Energy Specialist, is to help businesses adopt green practices in order to gain a competitive advantage.
LEDs replacing regular light bulbs or even compact fluorescent lamps (CFL)?
