Computer-aided engineering

Computer-aided Engineering analysis (often referred to as CAE) is the application of computer software in engineering to analyze the robustness and performance of components and assemblies. It encompasses simulation, validation and optimization of products and manufacturing tools.

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 that just engineering analysis. This definition is however better covered by the terms CAx and Product Lifecycle Management.

CAE areas covered include: *Stress analysis on components and assemblies using FEA(Finite Element Analysis); *Thermal and fluid flow analysis Computational fluid dynamics (CFD); *Kinematics; *Mechanical event simulation (MES). *Analysis tools for process simulation for operations such as casting, molding, and die press forming.

In general, there are three phases in any computer-aided engineering task: *Pre-processing – defining the model and environmental factors to be applied to it. (typically a finite element mesh model, but facet, voxel and thin sheet methods are also used) *Analysis solver (usually performed on high powered computers) *Post-processing of results (using visualization tools)

= CAE in Auto Industry =

CAE tools are very widely used in auto industry. In fact, their use has enabled the automakers to reduce product development cost and time while improving 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.

Software such as LSTCs LSDYNA and ESIs PAM Crash are used for Automotive crashworthiness and Occupant safety. Other tools like MSCs Patran and ADAMS software, and UGSs Scenario and Nastran packages are used in a variety of structural and dynamic analysis tasks.

==See also:== *Computer-aided design (CAD) *Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) *Computer representation of surfaces *Finite element analysis (FEA/FEM)