Computers & Software


Fig. 1. The integration of intelligent 3D modelling technology with multi- physics simulation makes simulation-drive design early in a product development process a reality.


4 Cloud-based simulation is a game-changer as it can significantly lower the costs, so making it available to smaller businesses unable to invest in local high performance IT infrastructure. Erwin Burth reports.


The Cloud dispels the mist F


or around four decades, simulation has been seen as one of the ‘dark arts’ of design. Its complexity has given it a certain aura of mystery for the uninitiated - and the expense of the


systems involved in carrying out simulation tasks has only added to its elitist status. Often only large corporations have been able to afford to hire full- time simulation specialists to develop methods to apply to their particular products. In many cases this reputation is justified. There


have been attempts to introduce simulation for non- experts. But most CAD operators aren’t trained to calculate the engineering evaluations involved. Besides, the tools were only able to carry out


simple linear analyses on single components. Their value was, therefore debatable and simulation experts dismissed them as over-simplified. This wasn’t just a desire to prevent the floodgates from opening; sometimes parts that had been verified by these tools failed the test. It seemed these early attempts at a broader


form of simulation were only suitable for those organisations prepared to invest in training, standardising processes and generally working hard to force the technology to fit their needs. Consequently the specialists have continued to command high fees and manufacturers and product


designers had little option but to handle simulation in an inefficient serial design-prototype-test-redesign cycle. Meanwhile, work has continued to discover a way to enable designers and engineers to use simulation as a seamless part of their day-to-day work. But, suddenly everything has changed, with


a number of factors coming together to create a breakthrough. The integration of intelligent 3D modelling technology with multi-physics simulation makes simulation-drive design early in a product development process a reality. This can have an enormous impact on product cost, quality and development time. For example, the snow vehicle manufacturer,


Tucker Sno-Cat uses Autodesk digital prototyping software to create a single digital model as an accurate 3D representation of its four-track vehicles. Because these vehicles operate in areas such as the Antarctic, they must be extremely durable and reliable. Tucker designers now use finite element analysis


(FEA) and mechanical event simulation (MES) integrated with the digital prototyping software to simulate the motion of parts and validate the quality of their designs. Rather than outsourcing the FEA on its roll-over protective structures, it has now found it can perform the analysis more cost- effectively in-house.


www.engineerlive.com 13


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