The Relationship between Design and Engineering

ABSTRACT:

Digital Technology, or binary controlled ways of processing and storing data, provides for a common conversion of various problems into a single mode of operation. These were previously managed by separate consultancies, requiring laborious management and organizational investment. In other words, digital technology forms a common platform where many issues can be related to each other and be resolved using a common language, enabling a more diverse view. Both literally and metaphorically, the conversion of all languages into 0s and 1s allows for such an interaction.

The Finite Element Method has been developed over the second half of the last century and is being utilized with the emerging digital technologies in the analysis of many aspects of the design world. Programs such as AnSys and Abaqus are software based on the finite element method (FEM) applied to simulate many engineering issues ranging from the very basic to complicated non-linear questions. They are technologies that have been developed for the last 20 years and are ever changing to meet the engineering needs of today. This research will look into FEM as well as how it is used with the Abaqus software suite.

The suite consists of Abaqus/Standard, Abaqus/Explicit, and Abaqus/CAE. Abaqus Standard is applied to static, low-speed dynamic, or steady-state transport analisis; while Abaqus/Explicit may be applied to those portions of the analysis where high-speed, nonlinear, transient response dominates the solution. Using Abaqus CAE one can create geometry, import CAD models for meshing or integrate geometry - based meshes that do not have associated CAD geometry. Abaqus/CAE also offers comprehensive visualization options which enable users to interpret and communicate the results of any Abaqus analysis.

The software is used by engineers working in fields of aerospace, defense, automotive & transportation, industrial design, such as furniture and packaging (including both the design and the production process), high-tech, industrial equipment, service industry, shipbuilding, power process & petroleum industry, life sciences, and most certainly, in the field of architecture and construction. The program is quite limitless in its scope.

The broad range of uses of the FEM based software presents a notable point of integration between fields. One analysis of a field, such as industrial design, can raise questions in any number of other fields. With so many options of use the suite allows for an open dialogue between design fields, in a way becoming a tool of translation between the different domains of design and engineering. This exchange between different fields can create more efficient, safer and better overall designs in each of the involved fields.

This paper will make an in depth investigation of the Finite Element Method as well as how it is being used with software interfaces. The aim of the paper is to establish a dialogue between engineers and designers, with the objective of giving designers the basic information about the method and the technology so as to have more in productive conversations with engineers.