Unified CAD and FEA Simulation Environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems require significant time and effort to set up and perform structural simulations, often necessitating users to navigate between different environments and manually manage part connections, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for complex assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A unified CAD and simulation environment that leverages CAD assembly mates for part-to-part connections, allowing users to perform simulations directly within the design environment without the need for additional setup, reducing the number of steps and actions required, and enabling automatic refresh of simulation results with CAD model modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users navigate between separate CAD and simulation environments to perform structural analysis, then simulation accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CAD modeling environment and CAE simulation environment into a single unified platform. The system integrates finite element analysis capabilities directly within the CAD software, allowing users to perform structural simulations without exporting models to separate simulation tools. This integration maintains simulation accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming process of navigating between different software environments, preparing models in multiple formats, and transferring data between systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified CAD-CAE platform provides multi-functionality by combining design modeling and structural analysis capabilities in one system. The software can perform both CAD operations (modeling, editing, visualization) and CAE operations (meshing, simulation, result analysis) within the same environment. This universal platform eliminates the need for separate specialized tools while maintaining the precision of engineering simulations through automated model preparation and analysis workflows.
2Measurement precision
If users manually set up part-to-part connections and inspect automated setups in integrated CAD-FEA solutions, then connection accuracy is improved, but the number of steps and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the simulation environment automatically detects CAD assembly mates and uses them to define part-to-part connections without user intervention. The automated setup inspects the CAD model, identifies connection points based on assembly constraints, and configures simulation boundary conditions automatically. This self-automating approach maintains connection accuracy by leveraging the existing CAD assembly intelligence while eliminating manual setup steps and reducing operational effort significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms where the simulation setup automatically validates detected assembly mates and connections. The automated inspection process checks for correctness of connection definitions, provides visual feedback on detected assembly relationships, and allows users to verify or modify automated setups if needed. This feedback loop ensures connection accuracy while minimizing manual intervention, as the system continuously monitors and adjusts the simulation model based on the CAD assembly data.
3Reliability
If designers perform simulations outside the CAD environment, then analysis depth is maintained, but workflow efficiency and design iteration speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CAD design and CAE simulation workflows into a single integrated environment, allowing designers to perform structural analysis directly within the CAD software. This merging enables deep engineering analysis with full simulation capabilities while maintaining design context, eliminating the need to switch between applications. Designers can iterate designs and re-run simulations quickly without export/import processes, significantly improving workflow efficiency while preserving analysis depth through access to the complete model geometry and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified platform enables continuous design-simulation iteration without interruption or workflow breaks. Designers can modify CAD models and immediately re-run simulations in the same environment, maintaining continuous productive action. The system automatically updates simulation models based on CAD changes, allowing rapid design exploration and optimization. This continuous workflow eliminates the discontinuities of traditional separate CAD-CAE processes, improving productivity while maintaining thorough analysis capabilities through persistent model data and design context.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed simulation environment, methods, and system support simultaneous design and analysis of assemblies with unified computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA). The system provides a simulation environment that is unified with the architecture of the assembly environment, which significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to set up structural simulations as compared to prior simulation tools. The system enables CAD designers to obtain accurate mechanical guidance such as strength and rigidity early and often in the design process, seeing the structural impact of CAD modifications at the sketch, part, and configuration level. Such guidance can be particularly helpful when CAD engineers are determining product fit and form, defining dimensions, and shaping the overall weight and volume of designs.