What is CAE?
CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) is a technology that utilizes a computer for the engineering tasks, such as the preliminary investigation about the process design and manufacturing of product, to develop high-quality products with as few prototypes as possible.
Effect of CAE
Shorten the lead-time
By carrying out the engineering tasks, such as design, verification, and modification, on the computer space, you can reduce the lead-time for product development by shorten the required time for the test trial processes for prototyping.
Reduce cost
The cost of prototyping can be reduced by excluding the redundant prototyping processes.
Consider the eco-friendliness
By minimizing the prototyping process, the resources required for product development process, such as the raw materials and energy, can be saved, and the burden on the environment can be reduced.
Important points in use of CAE
Necessity of engineers capable of CAE analysis
Computers and CAE software have become easier to use, and it has become possible to handle CAE even if you are not an expert, but it takes time to develop human resources with the knowledge necessary for understanding and utilizing the CAE analysis result.
Not being overconfident in CAE analysis results
Although it is possible to derive highly accurate results, it is important to judge the "certainty" of the results as to whether or not the analysis was successful because it is the result of the input data.
Knowledge required for CAE analysis
Basic knowledge about numerical analysis including finite element method
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical analysis method to solve complex differential equations by subdividing the problem domain into finite elements. The differential equation can be solved numerically by discretizing the state variables using the shape functions defined in each element.
Engineering knowledge including mechanics of materials
Various engineering knowledge is required to perform CAE analysis. Mechanics of materials is especially required to understand the deformation behavior of the product such as stress and strain distributions.
Constitution of CAE software
CAE software mainly consists of the following three functions.
Preprocessor
It is a function to prepare the input data necessary to execute the simulation. The input data can be prepared by reading shape data, creating meshes, defining materials, setting boundary conditions, and so on.
Solver
It is a function to execute the simulation to find a solution using the input data produced by the preprocessor. Since various solvers are available in advance in the recent CAE analysis software, it is necessary to select an appropriate solver according to the type and conditions of simulation (structure, stress, heat transfer, fluid, vibration, electromagnetic field, etc.).
Post processor
This is a function to visualize the simulation result calculated by the solver in an easy-to-understand manner. Various functions for visualizing the simulation result are implemented in the postprocessor, such as playing animation, creating a graph, showing 3D model, and displaying the simulation results in various ways.
Types of CAE analysis
There are various types of CAE analysis. We will introduce typical analyses usually used in the material processing field.
Stress analysis
It predicts the stress distribution generated inside of the object and deformation behavior coupled with stress when external forces and displacements are applied to the object.
Heat transfer analysis
It calculates the temperature distribution throughout the structure as defining the heat sources, such as heat flux and heat generation, and heat transfer conditions to the surroundings.
Vibration analysis
It simulates the vibration behavior, such as deformation and vibration mode including resonance frequency, when external vibration is applied.
Fluid analysis
It predicts the velocity and pressure of the fluid in the defined flow field.
What is DEFORM?
The DEFORM system is a general purpose simulation software for material processing, which has been used by many engineers and researchers in material processing field. We celebrate its 30th anniversary since its development. With the support from our customers, the DEFORM system is still evolving while responding to user’s requests.
The DEFORM system can cover various processes, such as forming, heat treatment, cutting, and joining. The advanced engineering analysis using the design of experiments and machine learning is also possible.