Simulate and innovate


Robert Roe reports from the European Altair


Technology Conference and finds that simulation-driven design is taking centre stage for the CAE industry


A


t this year’s European Altair technology conference (EATC) there was a focus on the potential for simulation driven design, but


there was also excitement about technologies such as machine learning, 3D printing, and the IoT. From 26 to 28 June, Altair hosted


its 9th EATC in the provincial town of Frankenthal, located in the Rhine/Neckar area of southwestern Germany. Te conference welcomed product developers, designers, IT managers, and simulation engineers that use Altair soſtware together to share their experience and expertise over three days of technical presentations and a product exhibition. Te EATC 2017 programme also included


a trip to the German race-course – the Hockenheimring – home to the German F1 races, on the evening of the second day. Here, attendees could get a tour of the area and the chance to race the course in a virtual setting using race simulators provided alongside dinner at the motor racing circuit. Day one of the event offered the chance for


attendees to learn from industry experts. Te highlights were presentations and round-table discussions on maximising the efficiency of dynamic machines, design for 3D printing, efficient design strategies for electrical devices, and math and systems modelling. As well as the industrial user focus, day


one also hosted a European academic user day. Tis aimed to provide students, teachers, and researchers across Europe with the opportunity to share their experiences with


24 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING WORLD Frankenthal


Altair’s CAE soſtware. Te industry session highlighted a need for modern methods such as 3D printing and topology optimisation, particularly when developing products such as smart or IoT devices and industry 4.0-related products. Te presentation also called for engineers to consider the entire mechatronics system of a product, including structure, sensors, actuator, and controls in a system- based simulation approach.


SOME OF THIS IS HYPE, BUT WE EXPECT HUGE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF IOT DEVICES


One presentation, delivered by Altair’s


director of program management and business development – EM solutions, Vincente Leconte, focused on the importance of using different levels of simulation from pre-design to verification stage; the coupling between different physics; and the use of optimisation studies to accelerate innovation. Leconte also highlighted FluxMotor – a


new standalone soſtware tool focusing on the pre-design of electric rotating machines. It enables the user to design and create motors from standard or customised parts, as well as to intuitively add windings and materials to


run a selection of tests and compare machine behaviour. FluxMotor is designed for the creation and performance evaluation of electric motors. Leconte commented that developing


advanced electrical machines and systems requires ‘a complete workflow for electromechanical component design’ that can integrate ‘different levels of simulation from pre-design to verification stage’, including the coupling between different physics and the use of optimisation studies to fine-tune components. Day two of the conference proceedings


were dedicated to the keynote presentations including Altair representatives and some of the company’s most well-known clients including Airbus, Renault and three-time Olympic medallist and Artemis Racing Team manager Ian Percy. James R Scapa, founder, president, and


CEO of Altair initiated proceedings with an overview of the current state of the simulation market and its potential for growth in the coming years. Scapa noted that in 2015 market analysis firm CIM data published a report stating that 2015 CIM data report predicts CAM to grow by 7.9 per cent CAR to exceed seven billion over the next five years. Scapa also talked about the vision for the company and the potentially disruptive technologies that he foresaw having the greatest impact on the CAE market. ‘We are truly in the


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