3D CAD Business Benefits:
Specialist Detail Design, Analysis and Simulation

CAD Analysis, Simulation and Testing inc FEA and CFD

 

CAD Analysis, Simulation and Testing



• Analyse and test parts and assemblies prior to cutting metal. Review fits and tolerances. Test for clashes of moving or rotating parts. This is far quicker and cheaper than proving ideas with physical parts only.



• Detailed engineering analysis and simulation can be carried out on components and assemblies to optimise their design before manufacturing starts. The purpose is to enhance and validate product performance, with less reliance on costly physical prototyping or disruptive design changes at a later stage.

• A common CAD simulation and analysis tool is finite element analysis (FEA). This is illustrates how parts and assemblies behave when dynamically loaded. Examples include stress, strain, structural and vibration testing.



• Another related field of analysis and simulation is computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for examination of fluid flow. This encompasses thermal management, aerodynamics and hydrodynamic testing.

• Other 3D CAD-based analysis and simulation techniques includes plastic injection mould flow and fatigue testing.



• CAD models are increasingly intelligent, where features and attributes can be attached to components and assemblies you design. This data can then be used to enhance testing or product development further downstream.



• Intelligent CAD attributes include assigning material properties to parts and as a result, calculating mass and the centre of gravity for both components and assemblies (crucial for things like planning lifting and transportation of large items). Other intelligent features include sustainability, energy and carbon footprint impact of CAD models, based on material choices. Alternative intelligent CAD attributes include design for manufacture (DFM) rules and ergonomic guidelines, both of which validate designs at the digital stage.

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CAD Analysis: Basic FEA (Courtesy of SolidWorks)

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