Article: Open loops in CAE data management and simulation-based design Journal: International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management (IJPLM) 2014 Vol.7 No.4 pp.318 - 339 Abstract: Product lifecycle management and simulation-based design have been regarded as necessities for an enterprise's competitiveness for more than a decade. The aim of this paper is to analyse the current practices and challenges in CAE data management and simulation-based design in mechanical engineering companies. Special attention is paid to the so called open loops and how those loops could be closed to enable the reuse of data. To reach the goal we conducted interviews in enterprises. We found that management and re-use of simulation data in companies were challenging as due to the complex relations, limited documentation and reporting, use of numerous software applications and application-dependent data. Moreover, simulations are not well specified in product development process models. Thus it is necessary to first map the performed simulations, simulation tools, simulation processes and related data before other steps can be taken. The goal should be to capture, share and reuse design knowledge. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Open loops in CAE data management and simulation-based design

Authors: Tanja Saarelainen; Andrea Buda; Jari Juhanko

Addresses: Department of Engineering Design and Production, Aalto University, P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15400, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland ' Departmentof Engineering Design and Production, Aalto University, P.O. Box 14100, FI- 00076 Aalto, Finland

Abstract: Product lifecycle management and simulation-based design have been regarded as necessities for an enterprise's competitiveness for more than a decade. The aim of this paper is to analyse the current practices and challenges in CAE data management and simulation-based design in mechanical engineering companies. Special attention is paid to the so called open loops and how those loops could be closed to enable the reuse of data. To reach the goal we conducted interviews in enterprises. We found that management and re-use of simulation data in companies were challenging as due to the complex relations, limited documentation and reporting, use of numerous software applications and application-dependent data. Moreover, simulations are not well specified in product development process models. Thus it is necessary to first map the performed simulations, simulation tools, simulation processes and related data before other steps can be taken. The goal should be to capture, share and reuse design knowledge.

Keywords: CAE data management; simulation-based design; closed-loop PLM; mechanical engineering; company practices; data reuse; data capture; data sharing; multiple case study; product lifecycle management; simulation; open loops; product development; process modelling; design knowledge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2014.066821

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2014 Vol.7 No.4, pp.318 - 339

Received: 04 Dec 2013
Accepted: 06 Sep 2014
Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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Title: Open loops in CAE data management and simulation-based design

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