Integrated Tools and Technologies for Concurrent Engineering of Mechanical Systems

Computer Aided Engineering tools and technologies that hold the potential for creating a simulation based Concurrent Engineering environment in the near-term and a design optimization based capability for the future are analyzed. Technical challenges and opportunities associated with integrating these tools into a software environment that can support multidisciplinary engineering teams are defined and illustrated. A road map for evolutionary creation of a simulation based Concurrent Engineering design environment in the near-term and a design optimization environment in the longer term is presented. Projects underway to create the capability advocated by the road map are presented, to illustrate technical considerations peculiar to Concurrent Engineering of mechanical systems and challenges associated with network based multidisciplinary CAE system integration for Concurrent Engineering.