Overview

General comment

Production covered

Standalone brushless DC (BLDC) motor module for integration into fans, small appliances, and other electromechanical devices. Outer-rotor (external rotor) configuration where the rotor cup with permanent magnets rotates around a stationary wound stator. This configuration is ideal for direct-drive applications like fans where the impeller attaches directly to the rotor.

Modelling choices

This dataset is modelled with no water reuse. No reclaim rate is published for this kind of plant, so the water shown is the full fresh intake and no recycling credit has been deducted from it.

Technology: Electromechanical Component, Electric Motor
Geography: Global average data from equipment vendor specifications and industry literature

System boundary

The figure groups this dataset's unit processes by class. It is not a count of manufacturing steps — each process runs over as many passes as the flow requires, and those pass counts ship with the dataset.

Download this figure (SVG)

Data quality and references

Composite DQI 2.3 Good

Reliability

3.7

Completeness

3.0

Temporal

1.0

Geographic

2.0

Technological

3.0

Pedigree scores follow the ecoinvent data-quality matrix: 1 is the best attainable, 5 the weakest. The composite is their aggregate.

Sampling procedure: Component vendor specifications, academic papers, industry literature
Coverage status: Partial
Pedigree-scored source files: 3 — the source records behind this dataset's manufacturing operations. Each carries the five pedigree axes above; the composite DQI aggregates them.

Technosphere inputs

10 flows. Quantities are not published; they ship with the dataset on Circa.

Electricity, China (CN) ElectricitykWh · -46.7% / +88.9%

Derivation basis: Calculated from equipment energy across all manufacturing operations. This model includes no facility support, so the total is the manufacturing operations alone.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: electricity, medium voltage
Uncertainty: -46.7% / +88.9% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kWh

Fresh water WaterL · ±25%

Derivation basis: Calculated from process-water and ultrapure-water demand across all manufacturing operations. This model includes no facility support, so the demand is the manufacturing operations alone. The fresh intake shown is that whole demand: the water-recycling scenario this dataset assumes reuses none of it, so nothing has been deducted, and wastewater follows the same balance.

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: tap water
Notes: Process and cleaning water
Uncertainty: ±25% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: L

H₂ Process gasg · -40% / +60%

Source citations: PM sintering practice
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: hydrogen, gaseous, low pressure
Uncertainty: -40% / +60% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: g

N₂ Process gasg · -40% / +60%

Source citations: PM sintering practice
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: nitrogen, liquid
Uncertainty: -40% / +60% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: g

Non-oriented electrical steel Materialkg · ±29.4%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: steel, low-alloyed, hot rolled
Uncertainty: ±29.4% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Sintered NdFeB Materialkg · -30.4% / +41.3%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: proxy-mapped
Background dataset: permanent magnet, for electric motor
Uncertainty: -30.4% / +41.3% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Copper, cathode Materialkg · -28.3% / +32.1%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: copper, cathode
Notes: From Enameled copper wire (97.0% copper)
Uncertainty: -28.3% / +32.1% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Nylon 6-6 Materialkg · -28.3% / +32.1%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: nylon 6-6
Notes: From Enameled copper wire (3.0% enamel). Polyimide/polyamide enamel coating (~3% by mass)
Uncertainty: -28.3% / +32.1% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Bronze Materialkg · -33.6% / +46%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: bronze
Notes: From Sintered bronze (86.5% bronze). Cu-Sn sintered powder (90/10)
Uncertainty: -33.6% / +46% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Lubricating oil Materialkg · -33.6% / +46%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12
Background dataset: lubricating oil
Notes: From Sintered bronze (13.5% lubricant). Oil impregnation (15-25% porosity filled)
Uncertainty: -33.6% / +46% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Outputs and waste

Wastewater Wastewaterm3 · ±25%

Derivation basis: Calculated from the water balance: fresh-water input minus evaporation.

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: carried, no background dataset
Background dataset: No treatment route recorded for this output.
Uncertainty: ±25% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: m3

Steel Stamping Scrap Solid wastekg · -27% / +35.5%

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: market for iron scrap, sorted, pressed
Uncertainty: -27% / +35.5% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Magnet Grinding Waste Solid wastekg · -28.3% / +43.3%

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: treatment of hazardous waste, underground deposit
Uncertainty: -28.3% / +43.3% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Die Lubricant Waste Solid wasteg

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

The sources below come from the manufacturing operations behind this row.
Sources (inherited): Inherited, rolled up from the contributing process steps:

KZL Industrial Automation. "KZL-224 Automatic Stator Coil Winding Machine." (Details 13.6 kW power consumption and 0.5 Mpa air pressure)

KZL Industrial Automation. "KZL-228 & KZL-310 Stator Winding Machines." (10 kW and 1.5 kVA consumption profiles)

Riley et al. (1996). "Journal of Applied Physics 79:6342." (Empirical 1.72 kJ discharge on 4-pole NdFeB, 3380 A peak)
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: treatment of hazardous waste, hazardous waste incineration, with energy recovery
Uncertainty: No range defined.
Unit: g

Powder Loss Solid wasteg

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

The sources below come from the manufacturing operations behind this row.
Sources (inherited): Inherited, rolled up from the contributing process steps:

PM sintering practice
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: treatment of inert waste, sanitary landfill
Uncertainty: No range defined.
Unit: g

Rejected Parts Solid wasteg

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

The sources below come from the manufacturing operations behind this row.
Sources (inherited): Inherited, rolled up from the contributing process steps:

PM sintering practice
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: treatment of inert waste, sanitary landfill
Uncertainty: No range defined.
Unit: g

Wire Scrap Solid wasteg

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

The sources below come from the manufacturing operations behind this row.
Sources (inherited): Inherited, rolled up from the contributing process steps:

KZL Industrial Automation. "KZL-224 Automatic Stator Coil Winding Machine." (Details 13.6 kW power consumption and 0.5 Mpa air pressure)

KZL Industrial Automation. "KZL-228 & KZL-310 Stator Winding Machines." (10 kW and 1.5 kVA consumption profiles)

Riley et al. (1996). "Journal of Applied Physics 79:6342." (Empirical 1.72 kJ discharge on 4-pole NdFeB, 3380 A peak)
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: market for copper scrap, sorted, pressed
Uncertainty: No range defined.
Unit: g

Adhesive Waste Solid wasteg

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

The sources below come from the manufacturing operations behind this row.
Sources (inherited): Inherited, rolled up from the contributing process steps:

KZL Industrial Automation. "KZL-224 Automatic Stator Coil Winding Machine." (Details 13.6 kW power consumption and 0.5 Mpa air pressure)

KZL Industrial Automation. "KZL-228 & KZL-310 Stator Winding Machines." (10 kW and 1.5 kVA consumption profiles)

Riley et al. (1996). "Journal of Applied Physics 79:6342." (Empirical 1.72 kJ discharge on 4-pole NdFeB, 3380 A peak)
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: treatment of inert waste, sanitary landfill
Uncertainty: No range defined.
Unit: g

Scrapped material (line yield) Solid wastekg · -29.8% / +34%

Derivation basis: Calculated from the mass balance of spent materials and consumables, with treatment selected from the waste classification.

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: ecoinvent 3.12 treatment route
Background dataset: treatment of inert waste, sanitary landfill
Notes: Calculated reject material after accounting for a manufacturing yield of 99%.
Uncertainty: -29.8% / +34% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Emissions to air

1 elementary flow released to air by this dataset's own operations. Quantities are not published; they ship with the dataset on Circa.

CO₂ Emission to airg

Derivation basis: Stoichiometric estimate

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Compartment: Air (non-urban air or from high stacks)
CAS number: 124-38-9
ecoinvent 3.12 elementary flow: Carbon dioxide, fossil
Uncertainty: No range defined.
Unit: g

Emissions to water

No emissions to water are recorded at this level.

Flows not quantified

1 flow is recorded for this dataset but carries no quantity — cut off below the significance threshold, or with no background dataset available. It remains inside the declared system boundary; each is listed with its reason.

Cut off - below the significance threshold (1)

Other Materials Materialkg · -33.3% / +50%

Derivation basis: Calculated from per-operation consumption, operation counts, and manufacturing yield.
REEL derivation: engineering estimate of connector and electromechanical component mass and material split, built from vendor catalogue and product-page data for representative parts; no single published inventory covers this component class

No source is attached to this row.
Source citations: Not stated
Background data: cut off
Background dataset: Not applicable: this flow is not quantified in the inventory.
Reason: Catch-all for minor unspecified materials, recorded in this inventory. The combined contribution falls below the declared cut-off threshold, so no upstream production dataset is attached.
Uncertainty: -33.3% / +50% around the published quantity. The bounds themselves ship with the dataset on Circa.
Unit: kg

Limitations and unquantified flows (1)

Limits this dataset declares about itself: first any limit stated in its own description, then any limit it declares flow by flow, grouped by channel. Each entry below is the model's own disclosure.

The wastewater leaving this dataset is quantified from the process water balance, but the pollutants it carries are not: no composition is resolved for the stream, and the treatment it is sent to is an average municipal service rather than one matched to a composition. The inventory books treatment residues from the same steps.

The flows above are this dataset's own records. What follows are the scope rules set once for the whole database in the methodology report, repeated here so every dataset page carries them.

Database-wide boundary policy — applies to every REEL dataset

These boundaries are set once for the whole database, in Chapter 2 of the methodology report, and apply to this dataset wherever they are relevant to it. The excluded flows listed above are specific to this dataset.

Use phase: Product operation is outside the cradle-to-gate scope.
End-of-life treatment: Recycling and disposal are outside the cradle-to-gate scope.
Distribution and retail: The gate is a finished component ready for integration into a higher-level assembly.
Inbound transport of raw materials: Transport of purchased raw materials to the manufacturing facility is already inside the upstream "market for" datasets that users link to a background database, so it is not modelled a second time here. This does not cover freight between REEL production stages, which is modelled where a dataset authors it.
Returnable shipping containers: Where freight between production stages is modelled, the mass moved is the product itself. The shipping container (FOSB, SEMI M31) is returnable capital equipment whose per-trip share is unsourced, so its tare is excluded from the transport effort.
Photomask fabrication: A mask set's embodied burden is amortised across a high-volume production run and is not attributed per wafer. Users assessing low-volume production should add mask fabrication separately; the methodology report gives the basis for the exclusion.
Employee transport, administration and R&D overhead: Employee transportation, facility administration and R&D/pilot-production overhead are outside scope.
Capital goods: Manufacturing equipment, cleanroom construction and facility infrastructure are excluded, on the grounds of absent public data on equipment embodied energy, uncertainty in equipment lifetime and allocation, common practice in electronics LCA, and a focus on the operational inventory. Future versions may include capital goods when sufficient public data becomes available.
Precious metal recovery credits: Scrap recovery credits for precious metals are excluded pending data availability.
Wafer reclaim: Test wafers and scrap are outside the system boundary.

Inside the boundary, linked rather than modelled

Silicon ingot growth and wafer slicing: Inside the cradle-to-gate scope, but treated as upstream material inputs linked to background databases rather than modelled as REEL processes.
Freight between production stages: Where a dataset's product moves between REEL production stages - wafer fabrication to the packaging site, for example - that leg is authored as a transport service and linked to an ecoinvent freight activity. It is measured as a transport effort in tonne-kilometres, not as a mass. Route distances are authored per route class with a stated band; a lower bound of zero is a modelling statement that the two sites can be co-located, not a missing value.

Cut-off criteria

A flow is excluded from a process inventory when it contributes less than 1 % of the total mass of inputs to that unit process, or less than 1 % of its total energy input. The denominator is total process inputs, not product mass. That distinction matters in semiconductor manufacturing, where the input mass of water, chemicals and gases greatly exceeds the product mass, so the threshold removes only genuinely minor flows.

Included regardless of the cut-off

Perfluorocarbons (CF4, C2F6, SF6, NF3) - high GWP, EPA regulated
Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr(VI)) - RoHS regulated, high toxicity
Volatile organics (photoresist solvents, PGMEA) - air quality
Precious metals (Au, Ag, Pd, Pt) - high embodied impacts
Ozone-depleting substances (legacy CFCs, HCFCs) - Montreal Protocol