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Computer-aided engineering (often referred to as CAE) is the use of information technology to support engineers in tasks such as analysis, simulation, design, manufacture, planning, diagnosis, and repair. Software tools that have been developed to support these activities are considered CAE tools. CAE tools are being used, for example, to analyze the robustness and performance of components and assemblies. The term encompasses simulation, validation, and optimization of products and manufacturing tools. In the future, CAE systems will be major providers of information to help support design teams in decision making.
In regard to information networks, CAE systems are individually considered a single node on a total information network and each node may interact with other nodes on the network.
CAE systems can provide support to businesses. This is achieved by the use of reference architectures and their ability to place information views on the business process. Reference architecture is the basis from which information model, especially product and manufacturing models.
The term CAE has also been used by some in the past to describe the use of computer technology within engineering in a broader sense than just engineering analysis. It was in this context that the term was coined by Dr. Jason Lemon, founder of SDRC in the late 70's. This definition is however better known today by the terms CAx and PLM.
CAE areas covered include:
- Stress analysis on components and assemblies using FEA (Finite Element Analysis);
- Thermal and fluid flow analysis Computational fluid dynamics (CFD);
- Kinematics;
- Mechanical event simulation (MES).
- Analysis tools for process simulation for operations such as casting, molding, and die press forming.
- Optimization of the product or process.
In general, there are three phases in any computer-aided engineering task:
- Pre-processing – defining the model and environmental factors to be applied to it. (typically a finite element model, but facet, voxel and thin sheet methods are also used)
- Analysis solver (usually performed on high powered computers)
- Post-processing of results (using visualization tools)
This cycle is iterated, often many times, either manually or with the use of commercial optimization software.
CAE in the automotive industry
CAE tools are very widely used in the automotive industry. In fact, their use has enabled the automakers to reduce product development cost and time while improving the safety, comfort, and durability of the vehicles they produce. The predictive capability of CAE tools has progressed to the point where much of the design verification is now done using computer simulations rather than physical prototype testing.
Software such as LSTC’s LS-DYNA and ESI’s PAM-CRASH is used for Automotive crashworthiness and Occupant safety. Tools like Altair HyperWorks, BETA CAE Systems' ANSA & META, MSC’s Patran, MSC’s ADAMS, LMS' Virtual.Lab Motion, SIMPACK, NEi Nastran and UGS’s Scenario and Nastran packages are used in a variety of structural and dynamic analysis tasks. Other tools like LMS's AMESim are used to analyze functional performance of multi-disciplinary systems.
See also
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
- Computer representation of surfaces
- Electronic design automation EDA
- Finite element analysis (FEA/FEM)
- Multidisciplinary design optimization
- Category:Computer-aided engineering software
References
- B. Raphael and I.F.C. Smith (2003). Fundamentals of computer aided engineering. John Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-48715-9.
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