Gaining a Strategic Edge Through Interdisciplinary CAE Software

Nov. 20, 2012
For many years, using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems has raised the productivity of the individual engineer. Now, these legacy systems have been eclipsed by a new concept: database-centric, interdisciplinary CAE systems. These powerful tools are spearheading transformative change in engineering workflows, product design and order fulfillment. Companies embracing the full potential of these advanced systems are realizing efficiencies worth tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

While legacy CAE systems function as standalone tools for a single discipline, database-centric systems support multiple disciplines on the same platform so electrical, fluid power and instrumentation and process control engineers can share data, even work collaboratively. Users can transfer data in real-time to mechanical engineers or controls software developers or send it via their company's enterprise system to the sales, purchasing, production and service departments. Furthermore, these powerful CAE systems can store and reuse vast amounts of recurrent data, encouraging companies to standardize as much product content as possible to maximize productivity, ensure error-free outcomes, shorten order turnaround times, and better manage costs through the entire order fulfillment process.

This white paper discusses how a new generation of CAE tools built on a powerful central data backbone has been shown to deliver overall engineering cost savings by measurably improving data quality, design efficiency and time-to-market.

For many years, using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems has raised the productivity of the individual engineer. Now, these legacy systems have been eclipsed by a new concept: database-centric, interdisciplinary CAE systems. These powerful tools are spearheading transformative change in engineering workflows, product design and order fulfillment. Companies embracing the full potential of these advanced systems are realizing efficiencies worth tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

While legacy CAE systems function as standalone tools for a single discipline, database-centric systems support multiple disciplines on the same platform so electrical, fluid power and instrumentation and process control engineers can share data, even work collaboratively. Users can transfer data in real-time to mechanical engineers or controls software developers or send it via their company's enterprise system to the sales, purchasing, production and service departments. Furthermore, these powerful CAE systems can store and reuse vast amounts of recurrent data, encouraging companies to standardize as much product content as possible to maximize productivity, ensure error-free outcomes, shorten order turnaround times, and better manage costs through the entire order fulfillment process.

This white paper discusses how a new generation of CAE tools built on a powerful central data backbone has been shown to deliver overall engineering cost savings by measurably improving data quality, design efficiency and time-to-market.