How Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) has Added Advantages With Artificial Intelligence Tools? Figure out the Processes Where CAE is Suitable!

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE): An Introduction 

CAE or Computer-Aided Engineering is a term used to describe the procedure of the entire product engineering process, from design and virtual testing with sophisticated analytical algorithms to the planning of manufacturing.

Computer-aided engineering is standard in almost any industry that uses some sort of design software to develop products. CAE is the next step in not only designing a product but also supporting the engineering process. It allows for performing tests and simulations of the product’s physical properties without needing a physical prototype. 

Design and manufacturing is very vital to the progress of civilization. Before we dig deeper into CAE, let us first understand the basics of engineering design.

Engineering design of a product can be broken into four steps:

1. Problem definition – in the initial stages of product development, it is necessary to clearly define what the product is meant to achieve and / or do.

2. Creative process - once the objective of the product is identified, it is necessary to synthesize its form. This involves brainstorming sessions where designers and engineers meet and interact. Various forms are evaluated and selected into a set of few workable solutions.

3. Analytical process – Fitting the product into form is the next step. This requires strength and reliability analysis, cost determination, etc. This step is very important and iterative. Multiple solutions for the product may be evaluated till the optimal values are achieved. This is where CAE is blended with CAD. Using CAE software, trained engineers are able to evaluate various parameters of the desired object.

4. Prototype development & testing – this is where the theory is translated into practical. Prototypes are developed and tested, usually using 3D printers for rapid development. 

Computer Aided Engineering

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) is a fast emerging field that takes CAD to another level. 

While CAD is useful in creating 2D and 3D models of a product, CAE software allows a deeper engineering analysis of objects. 

Application of CAE

CAE thus finds applications in engineering fields like fluid dynamics, kinematics, stress analysis, finite element analysis, etc., typically where product development is concerned. CAE encompasses not only CAD, but also Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and some other aspects of engineering. Simply put, you can create 2D and 3D objects using CAD, while you can analyze how that object will behave using CAE tools. The automated design tools provided by CAE have transformed engineering analysis from a ‘hands on’ experience to virtual simulation. 

The CAE Process

In the first stage, the object / product / system is designed, typically using CAD software. Engineers manipulate the parameters of the object / system being evaluated. These parameters include the physical properties, geometry and the limitations under which the entity is to be developed.

In the second stage, the entity is thoroughly evaluated using CAE processes like FEA, NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), CFD, etc.

As a third step, the results are shown to the engineering design team and the parameters of the system / object are tweaked to get optimum results. The process is iterated till the desired benefits are achieved.

Benefits of CAE

Since simulating reality is less time consuming, CAE processes save on time and money

CAE reduces the errors in design and drawing process

The impacts of changing parameters on a system can be studied with more accuracy

Robustness and performance of components and assemblies can be analyzed

CAE allows for easy visualization and improves designs

CAE aids ease of manufacturing

Tools of the Trade

Since there are several aspects of engineering that need to be covered while designing / modelling a system or entity, there are many facets to the CAE software tools. 

Some of the leading CAE tools include 

CATIA and

HyperMesh Software.

Conclusions 

As manufacturing processes grow increasingly complex, virtual validation can help companies plan, design and implement their systems before investing significant capital. By combining CAE with design space exploration and even artificial intelligence (AI), the future of CAE can be predictive engineering.