Computer-aided engineering

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is the broad usage of computer software to aid in engineering tasks.[1][2][3] It includes computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided analysis (CAA), computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), material requirements planning (MRP), and computer-aided planning (CAP).[4][5][6]

Contents

Overview

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 Jason Lemon, founder of SDRC in the late 1970s. This definition is however better known today by the terms CAx and PLM.

CAE fields and phases

CAE areas covered include:

In general, there are three phases in any computer-aided engineering task:

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. CAE dependability is based upon all proper assumptions as inputs and must identify critical inputs (BJ). Even though there have been many advances in CAE, and it is widely used in the engineering field, physical testing is still used as a final confirmation for subsystems due to the fact that CAE cannot predict all variables in complex assemblies (i.e. metal stretch, thinning).

See also

References

  1. ^ Laplante, Phillip A. (2005), Comprehensive dictionary of electrical engineering (2nd ed.), CRC Press, p. 136, ISBN 9780849330865, http://books.google.com/books?id=_UBzZ4coYMkC&pg=PA136. 
  2. ^ Kreith, Frank (1998), The CRC handbook of mechanical engineering, CRC Press, p. 15-1, ISBN 9780849394188, http://books.google.com/books?id=OpD226SXKisC&pg=PT1972. 
  3. ^ According to Daintith it does not usually include software engineering.
  4. ^ Meguid, S. A. (1987), Integrated computer-aided design of mechanical systems, Springer, p. 7, ISBN 9781851660216, http://books.google.com/books?id=aRNlWPJzsTMC&pg=PA7. 
  5. ^ Matthews, Clifford (2005), Aeronautical engineer's data book (2nd ed.), Butterworth-Heinemann, p. 229, ISBN 9780750651257, http://books.google.com/books?id=5W9Rqq3qP1QC&pg=PA229. 
  6. ^ Daintith, John (2004), A dictionary of computing (5 ed.), Oxford University Press, p. 102, ISBN 9780198608776, http://books.google.com/books?id=Hay6vTsGFAsC&pg=PA102. 

Further reading

External links

 
Machining and computing
Computer-aided engineering
Drilling and threading
Grinding and lapping
Machining and milling
Machine tooling
Terminology