Virtual Engineering Based Design Integration, Visualization and Validation

Abstract

Virtual Engineering (VE) is a multidisciplinary field in Computeraided Engineering (CAE) technologies involving interaction of diverse computer-based engineering tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) in geometric modelling, finite element methods (FEM) in analysis and other mechanical and process simulation systems. Within a product’s lifecycle, design is the cornerstone and drives the aspiration of simulation-based engineering aimed to create smooth communication among the diverse CAE tools. This demands a collaborative engineering work where VE and the interface standards play a key role. Obviously, engineering companies of today are facing a fierce competition in a global market. This race to win the market can be characterized as innovation based because the classical competitive factors should be reconciled with other challenges such as new product brands, ecological, safety and legislation aspects [1]. The solution to this challenge lies in making design engineering data available for other processes used to realize the product where VE can contribute in reducing the product development time, assist engineers in decision making, simplifying generation of alternative design solutions, providing interfaces that allow 3D model manipulation in a virtual world, making necessary changes and design optimization at low cost, etc. Such capabilities of VE systems are necessary in many industries where testing using physical models is expensive, requires long development time and products are extremely complex [2]. The role of VE in design, as seen from current developments, is quite immense and important specially in integrating diverse engineering activities including easy communication among engineering teams located at different parts of the globe. This is particularly crucial in the context of globalization where companies are operating internationally and sharing data is a necessity.