Material Volume
The material volume (V) includes the material that is required
to manufacture the component. The cost estimating tool takes into account the waste
coefficient (Wc) according to the process and the shape complexity.
The original Process Selection tool had a volume calculator. However, with the advent
of 3D CAD solid modelling tools this is not needed as the volume could be read directly
from the CAD model of the part being analysed.
The weight of an item can be entered to directly access the
cost of material.
This might be helpful when reverse engineering competitors
components.
Note: all the calculations are conducted in mm3. Should it be required unit convertors
can be added to both the input and output side of the estimating tool.