Simulation Six problems to avoid when using simulation in the design process

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Products have become extremely complex. It is therefore difficult to predict the impact of a decision on the overall design. The knowledge gained from simulations can be used to evaluate different options, construct with more confidence and ultimately develop better products. A few rules have to be observed to ensure the successful use of simulation.

Companies invest in simulation solutions for design engineers for a variety of reasons. And simulations are becoming increasingly intertwined with the design process. Better insights for design engineers remains one of the most important reasons for investment in simulation solutions.

Engineers need to have confidence in their decisions

Due to the numerous challenges faced by engineers, many of them don’t trust in their own decisions. In order to close this trust gap, they use different approaches. The most common way of waiting for the results of practical tests is to waste time. They also develop over-engineered products, which generates additional costs and damages price competitiveness.

Changes to the products are an inevitable consequence of wrong decisions and make up a significant part of the design process. Certain changes are unavoidable, such as when customers change their minds or there are changes in the market. However, one of the main reasons for changes are problems. The main issue: These changes occur at a very late stage in the development cycle. Changes made during the last 25 percent of the design cycle take 98 percent longer than changes made during the first 25 percent of the design cycle, almost twice as much time - a real time waster, according to respondents.

New simulation approaches support designers

Simulations are useful for many engineers, who would like to get even more value out of them. For this they need a simulation tool that does not require any special knowledge, is user-friendly and can be executed quickly. New simulation approaches could help to do this. Engineers are convinced that a simulation solution that delivers immediate results will give them the insight they need. This would allow them to identify problems at an early stage and spend more time on developing higher quality, more reliable, cheaper and innovative products. These problems in simulation tools for designers should be avoided. Tech-Clarity has identified six problems to avoid in simulation tools for designers:

1) Inadequate integration into CAD systems
If designers cannot run the simulations in the design tool, the workflow will be disrupted and the application made more difficult.

2) Slow performance
If results take too long, designers are slowed down and can run fewer simulations.

3) Inaccuracies
If designers can't trust simulations to give them the right clues, the results are useless. Because their decisions are then based on inaccurate findings.

4) Insufficient flexibility
When designers need to redefine the preparation parameters for each design iteration, change, or alternative, they will use simulations less often to understand the impact of an update.

5) Complicated application
Simulation tools that make it too complicated to set up analyses pose a hurdle to designers, reducing the likelihood of their use.

6) Special knowledge as a prerequisite
Designers can benefit from the groundbreaking findings of a simulation, but if the tool can only be used with the knowledge of a studied FEA analyst, it is not readily available.

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