Introducing Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
Today, companies irrespective of their size or the turnover figure, face a great challenge of improving in terms of reducing cost, cycle-time, better quality, reliability along with advanced features. Apart from this, continuous improvement in terms of innovation is also one of the most daunting task companies have to face. These all seem like an unachievable milestones especially for design and manufacturing industries. To meet these demanding challenges, design offices and manufacturing companies can leverage Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) means to ease their burden. CAE is used to simulate the product before manufacturing the prototype models and test them virtually. This ensures that the design meets the standards and specifications before production. Thus by using CAE, designers and manufacturers can analyse the product behaviour earlier in the design cycle (stage), and get it Right First Time to reduce expensive and lengthy prototype manufacturing processes.
CAE is the broad usage of computer software to aid in engineering analysis for wide range of industries. CAE software tools have been developed to analyse the robustness and performance of components and assemblies. CAE has become the ultimate tool to support design teams for decision making. It includes Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Multibody dynamics (MBD), and Optimization of products.
CAE has become indispensable in recent years in the field of engineering and is now the basis of a multibillion dollar turnover per year industry. In design, not all problems can be solved analytically with equations, and therefore Numerical Methods (CAE) has to be used to solve day-to-day engineering problems. CAE has a wide array of application, and is extensively used in the structural, thermal and fluid analysis domain.
CAE is comprised of three major phases:
(1) Pre-processing, in which the analyst develops a finite element mesh to divide the geometry into sub domains for mathematical analysis, and applies material properties and boundary conditions
(2) Solution, during which the model is solved using an appropriate mathematical formulation of the underlying physics
(3) Post-processing, in which the analyst checks the validity of the solution, examines the values such as displacements and stresses
The key advantage of using CAE comes from the fact that it allows user to innovate new design concepts, test and validate the design virtually on a computer. Virtual design can significantly reduce the need to manufacture and test physical prototypes. From the reduced physical prototype testing, the design phase is shortened thus saving time and money. Therefore, the new design concept can be completed and delivered to market much faster. An existing product which is failing, having a design error or is simply being improved, can be analysed to speed an engineering change and reduce its cost. In addition, CAE can be performed on any of the increasingly affordable computer workstations and personal computers.
It is also important to recognise the limitations of CAE. This method can reduce prototype product testing, but cannot totally replace it. Another limitation arises when an inexperienced user delivers an incorrect answer, upon which expensive decisions will be based. CAE is a demanding tool and requires engineers with extensive knowledge in elasticity, fluids, mathematics, computer science and especially the CAE tool.
However, CAE is to an advantage for an innovative design with an experienced and knowledgeable analyst in a manufacturing company. The benefits far outweigh the limitations. With a much shorter design process, more time is available to allow design variations to be investigated, which promotes innovation.
Click here to know more about CAE and applications of Femap.
Click here to know more about CAE and applications of Femap.
