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CES Selector 2007

This 2007 version of the CES Selector was another major step forward for materials decision-making. Developments focused in five main areas:

Advances are delivered through the combination of new software features and new data.

Cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives



	Material prices per unit of function—latest material prices plotted for a panel of specified stiffness—click for a larger image

New features and data (available in the MaterialsUniverse data module, which comes with CES Selector Standard Edition):

New estimated prices for over 3,000 materials have been generated using an improved and updated price model.
Materials can now be ranked easily based on "cost per unit of function."
New data, including cost data, is available (on request) for stainless steels and nickels.

These features help you to:

Quickly identify and compare optimal materials for complex combinations of technical and economic properties. For example, you could study cost per unit stiffness to help you choose an appropriate panel material. You can combine such design objectives with a full consideration of constraints in areas such as mechanical and thermal performance, electrical conductivity, and chemical resistance.
Perform trade-off studies: e.g., analyze cost vs weight, cost vs volume, or cost vs carbon footprint.
Identify potential substitute materials: e.g., lower-cost or lower nickel materials.

New materials attribute data (available in the CES Medical Polymer Selector ):

Bio-data: sterilizability (EtO, radiation, steam autoclave), medical grades available (ISO 10993 or USP class VI), food contact grades available (FDA 21 CFR 177, EEC/EU, BfVV/BfR, or NSF 51 and 61)
Low temperature properties: minimum service temperature, low temperature impact strength
Clear/transparent plastics: refractive index
Chemical resistance: chemical resistance index, environmental stress cracking index

New materials records:

This data, combined with the Selector software capabilities, helps you to:

Establish the optimal plastic or elastomer for a medical device or food contact application and consider alternatives
Find materials with medical approvals and the right sterilizability
Find which of these materials also have the required strength, stiffness, impact, thermal, electrical, optical, and chemical or environmental stress cracking resistance properties
Consider all possible materials options with the systematic, rational, and exhaustive methods of CES Selector


	Thermoplastic elastomers: Tear strength vs price per unit strength. Materials of Shore A >90 and compression set >35% are greyed out (click for larger image).

New materials data (available in the MaterialsUniverse data module, which comes with CES Selector Standard Edition) covers:

New materials attributes:

This data, combined with the Selector software capabilities, helps you to:

Optimize engineering design with TPEs: navigate the TPE jungle; find the optimal TPE for the job; avoid the cost of the wrong choice; know that you have surveyed the field and considered all the options
Support production and marketing of TPEs: develop new materials and analyze their value; analyze and present competititve positioning—both within class (e.g. TPU vs TPU), and out of class (e.g. TPV vs SEBS); support customer service and design consulting

New or revised data is now available (in the CES Eco Selector edition) for:

The embodied energy and CO₂ footprint of materials.
Energies (approximated) for the following process categories: polymer molding, polymer extrusion, casting, forging or rolling, machining, metal powder forming, vaporization, ceramic powder forming, glass molding.

This data, combined with the Selector software capabilities, helps you to:

Estimate the environmental impact of product components.
Carry out eco-audits in product design—an increasingly important factor in competitive differentiation and meeting regulatory demands (e.g., the European Union's EuP regulations).
'Scoping LCA': approximate lifecycle analysis in the design phase of new product design.

We have added a number of new communication, usability, and documentation features to make your use of CES Selector more productive.


	Updated user interface showing improved display of selection charts, including material family envelopes—click for a larger image.

New materials selection chart features:

Bolder, more colorful graphics—aids visual analysis and presentation
"Family envelopes" puts optional colored shading around material families—can help to clarify analyis and presentations
More control over axis fonts and sizes
Ability to interactively highlight and label materials on all charts

New documentation feature:

Detailed background notes have been provided on the use of each attribute in material or process selection (selection notes) and on the underlying science behind each property (science notes). The science notes are authored by Prof. Mike Ashby.

Usability improvements:

A series of improvements have been made to the flow and presentation of the user interface—all are based on user feedback and make the use of the product quicker and more intuitive.

Previous versions: CES Selector 2010 | CES Selector 2009 | CES Selector 2008 | CES Selector 2007