KBE and Simulation: Enhancing Product Design

Introduction

Any business’ success depends greatly on the quality of its products. Enterprises increasingly rely on cutting-edge technology like Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) and simulation to develop innovative and effective products. KBE provides the virtual testing and validation of product designs, whereas simulation facilitates the integration of knowledge and rules into design processes.

This article examines how enhancing efficiency, lowering costs, and raising overall product quality are revolutionising product design with KBE and simulation.

Enhancing Product Design with KBE and Simulation

Companies work hard to develop creative and effective products to remain competitive in today’s quickly changing business environment. Learn how simulation and other cutting-edge technologies are changing how products are designed.

Examine how KBE and simulation may transform processes to increase productivity, lower costs, and produce goods of higher overall quality. Let’s explore the amazing ways that these technologies are revolutionising the process of product design.

The Power of Knowledge-Based Engineering

A design methodology known as knowledge-based engineering (KBE) uses rules and technical information that have been gathered to automate and improve the product design process. It enables quicker and more effective design iterations by allowing engineers to integrate their knowledge into software platforms. Here are a few KBE advantages:

Automation and Efficiency

KBE facilitates the reuse of preexisting design knowledge and automates repetitive design procedures. Due to the substantial reduction in design time, engineers may now concentrate on difficult problems rather than tedious ones.

Design Rule Checking

Engineers may ensure that designs adhere to industry standards, laws, and best practices by integrating design rules into KBE systems. This reduces the possibility of expensive design mistakes while also eliminating human error.

Design Optimization

KBE systems can investigate several design options and automatically evaluate them following specified standards. This aids engineers in finding the best design option that satisfies the required performance standards.

Knowledge Capture and Retention

The entire design team can access the implicit expertise of seasoned engineers thanks to KBE. This guarantees knowledge continuity and allows less experienced designers to use their colleagues’ experience.

The Role of Simulation in Product Design

The technique of simulating a product or system to study how it would behave under various circumstances. Without physical prototypes, it helps engineers forecast and comprehend how a product will function in the real world. As an example of how simulation improves product design:

Iterative Design

Using simulation, engineers may swiftly evaluate and improve their design concepts in a virtual environment. Before committing to physical prototyping, they can simulate various scenarios, make design improvements, and assess the effects of those changes. The iterative design method cutscosts and saves time.

Performance Evaluation

Simulation offers useful information about a product’s performance, including its structural soundness, fluid dynamics, thermal behaviour, and electromagnetic properties. Engineers can spot flaws and make adjustments early in the design process, leading to more durable and dependable products.

Risk Mitigation

Engineers may pinpoint possible dangers and failure modes in a safe setting through simulation. To ensure the product can resist difficulties encountered in the actual world, it might mimic harsh conditions, stress tests, and failure scenarios.

Cost Reduction

Using simulation, companies can dramatically lower the expenses of physical prototyping and testing. Simulations are more time and money efficient since there is no need to create numerous prototypes or conduct rigorous testing.

Synergistic Effect: KBE and Simulation

Combining KBE and simulation creates a powerful synergy that enhances the product design process. Here’s how these technologies work together:

Automated Design Space Exploration

A variety of design possibilities can be produced by KBE systems and further assessed through simulation. The KBE system creates design possibilities for simulation analysis once engineers define the parameters and limitations. This makes it possible to quickly explore the design space and find the best solutions.

Rapid Design Iterations

Using simulation, companies can dramatically lower the expenses of physical prototyping and testing. Simulations are more time and money efficient since there is no need to create numerous prototypes or conduct rigorous testing.

Virtual Testing and Validation

Before a thing is manufactured, engineers can theoretically test and validate it using simulation. Engineers can spot possible problems or opportunities for improvement by running the virtual model through various tests and simulations, such as structural analysis, fluid dynamics, or electromagnetic simulations. This lessens the requirement for physical prototypes and lowers the possibility of expensive design mistakes.

Design Optimisation and Performance Evaluation

Design optimisation and performance assessment are made possible using KBE and simulation. KBE systems can automatically generate design alternatives based on predefined criteria, and their performance can then be evaluated through simulation. Engineers can choose the most effective and dependable design solution by analysing the simulation data. This collaborative process improves the overall quality of the product design and enables data-driven decision making.

Case Study: KBE and Simulation in Automotive Design

Let’s look at how KBE and simulation are used in the automotive sector to demonstrate their value in product design. KBE systems can automate the creation of design alternatives for various vehicle components, such as engine parts, chassis, or aerodynamic elements, in the field of automotive design.

These designs can then be simulated to assess elements like structural integrity, crashworthiness, and aerodynamic performance. Engineers can pinpoint the best design approaches that abide by safety standards, maximise fuel economy, and improve overall vehicle performance. Time and resources are saved by comparing this integrated strategy to conventional trial-and-error procedures.

Conclusion

By increasing effectiveness, lowering costs, and raising overall product quality, simulation and knowledge-based engineering (KBE) are revolutionizing product design. KBE facilitates design rule validation and optimization while automating design processes and capturing engineering knowledge. Contrarily, simulation enables engineers to virtually test and evaluate product designs, spot flaws, and reduce risks.

Combining KBE and simulation makes rapid design iterations, virtual testing, and design optimisation possible. This integrated strategy speeds up the design process, lowers costs, and produces cutting- edge and dependable products. The use of KBE and simulation in product design is anticipated to spread across various industries as technology progresses.

Ready to revolutionise your product design? Harness the power of KBE and simulation with Prescient. Contact us today for a consultation and embrace the future of design. Don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity.