Computer-based Engineering in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry has been using computer-based engineering since the 1980s.

Initially simulations were limited to structural verification of single components, with the first simulations for production processes such as foundry, deep-drawing and plastic molding. Since then, technological advancements have made the computer processing power available at lower costs. This has led to the virtual simulation, of both components and complex systems, with a high degree of confidence, making it an integral part of the product design and development process for both the OEM and tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers to the automotive industry.

For the last several years the industry has been investing in simulation based engineering projects and OEMs and their suppliers are now putting more emphasis on multiobjective optimization.

Today, numerical simulation models are indispensable tools for: reducing the time to market and product development costs, especially in the design phase of a product when crucial choices are made and where the subsequent reversal of those choices can prove to be extremely costly; facing new technological challenges related to:

the use of new materials such as light alloys, high strength steel, composites and nanomaterial coatings
new manufacturing processes and joining technologies
new methane, biogas, fuel cell, hydrogen or electric fuel systems that are either running solely on that fuel or as a hybrid system
new vehicle architecture for city driving or hybrid vehicles
optimization, driven by the need for improved components, systems and the entire vehicle – this has inevitably led to the use of numerical simulation in the design phases as opposed to using it just in the verification phase

EnginSoft has been a player in virtual simulation since its inception. With years of consultancy projects behind it in the automotive industry, EnginSoft boasts a broad range of multi-disciplinary expertise which spans from mechanical and resistance analyses, deformability and durability, crash analysis and ride comfort to the thermal, fluid dynamic, acoustic, electromagnetic and optical fields. Using the best commercial tools for the job, and writing custom routines when necessary to complete the job, we cover simulation and the optimization of the entire production processes.

Engineering Simulation in the Oil & Gas Industry

The upstream sector also known as the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector, normally covers the exploration and discovery of sources of crude oil and gas both onshore and offshore. It also covers the drilling of exploratory wells and the operation of these wells to extract the discovered energy source and bring it to the surface for transportation to refineries.

The main physical aspects that can be simulated when building an upstream virtual model include:

Reservoir and geology simulation (basin modeling and simulation, well data interpretation, near-well modeling of multiphase flow simulation, utilizing, for example, reservoir simulation software)
Production phase simulation (completion processes, liquid/gas production processes, well distribution systems, etc.)
Subsea systems design and analysis (pipeline lay analysis, simulation and analysis of mechanical-structural components and devices, stress analysis and design of pressure components, etc.)
Offshore structures design and analysis (simulation and analysis of fixed and floating offshore structures, structural verifications and code checks, revamping of existing fixed offshore structures based on the stochastic fatigue approach, simulation and analysis of pressure vessels and pressure components, vessel and pipeline dynamic motion analyses for S-laying or J-laying pipeline configurations).

The downstream sector refers to the extracted hydrocarbons in their liquid form (petroleum) or in their gaseous form (natural gas) being refined and the subsequent distribution of derivative products such as fuels, petrochemicals, lubricants and residuals for use in by-products.

The main physical aspects that can be simulated when building a downstream virtual model include:

Heat and mass transfer in distillation columns, heat transfer equipment
Bulk liquid storage structures for both atmospheric and low temperature/cryogenic storage
Pressure drop evaluation
Mist eliminators
Process furnaces
Fluid dynamic analysis of coker and vacuum towers
Evaluation of inlet feed devices to reduce the liquid entrainment and velocity to improve vapor distribution
Understanding of risers, regenerators, and cyclones for the FCC process
Investigation of flow patterns and FSI in horizontal and vertical piping
Flow rate meters/flow meters
Gravitational separators
Petrochemical storage and process vessels
Refinery process units
Petrochemical facilities
Gasification plants, hydrogen generating plants
Equipment simulation optimization

EnginSoft's primary areas of expertise in the Oil & Gas and Offshore Industry is in the upstream and downstream sectors. Our expertise ranges from geotechnical-geomechanical engineering (including reservoirs simulation and exploitation) to fluid mechanics engineering; from structural engineering to analysis and simulation, design and assessment. To initiate a discussion, please contact us with your specific requirements.

The Construction Industry

Among the many challenges faced by the industry, the following stand out:

compliance with global climate change regulations;
the safety and health monitoring of aging infrastructures, which need to be brought up to modern safety standards;
cost overruns due to insufficient analysis at the design stage of the project.

These issues are forcing the industry to invest time and resources in the following areas:

green buildings, also known as sustainable or high performance buildings; a new field that is gaining quick momentum in the discovery and implementation of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient;
new manufacturing processes and materials, which are the main drivers for applied research in the field. Materials typical of other industrial disciplines, such as composite materials, are increasingly being used in the construction industry;
more detailed designs to ensure compliance with a broad range of increasingly demanding technical standards;
improved assessment and verification of the consequences of rare events associated with significant risk levels for the community in the form of improved fire, seismic and impact analysis of structures in the design phase of a project. The design phase is therefore becoming increasingly important in order to reduce hazards or unexpected circumstances which may have major consequences on the allocated budget.

Today, numerical simulation plays a crucial role in the construction industry. It provides indispensable design tools for the prototyping of new products and structures, resulting in their production at a fraction of the cost that would be incurred if extensive physical testing was used instead. Structural analysis, in which numerical simulation techniques have become the industry standard, provides a palpable example of this.

The complexity of the simulation software available, allows the engineer to deal with most application areas in the construction Industry, even those requiring multi-disciplinary fields such as soil-structure interaction and fluid-structure interaction. Optimization frameworks can be also exploited to drive numerical simulations and to obtain minimum cost solutions, which is of particular importance when facing budget constraints.

EnginSoft offers consultancy in a wide range of civil engineering applications with expertise ranging from the structural analysis of bridges and stadiums to the design of tunnels, to the assessment of offshore installations and the development of expert systems for precast components. EnginSoft is your ideal partner for specific project related consultancies and for the development of integrated tailor made design solutions.

EnginSoft and the Energy Industry

The energy scenarios and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions underlie the development and extensive use of technology that makes the proposed goals possible. This development requires both heavy investment in research and development (public and private), and incentive policies to achieve economic self-sustainability. Precisely this requirement means that the countries should ask themselves and give clear indications of, what must be done and which technology should be deemed as a priority.

In this context the European Commission has developed a Strategic Energy Technology Plan that brings technological innovation to the center of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure the security of energy supply.

The development and subsequent industrialization of all these new technologies, from the technical and scientific point of view, requires and will require in the coming years a huge commitment of intelligence, first-class technical skills, and tools for designing components and systems in the best ways.

In this context, CAE Technology and Intelligent Digital Prototyping (iDP) hold, and will increasingly hold, an absolutely determining role in whether the project ideas can be tested, optimized and validated before prototypes are built.

EnginSoft is a company that has based its competitive advantage on virtual prototyping since the 1980es, and has always been diligent in the training and formation of its technical staff in order to provide companies with the best solutions and the most suitable software for their specific needs.

EnginSoft’s strength is the multidisciplinary approach that includes all areas of Computer Based Engineering, from the manufacturing process to the detailed 3D CFD simulation of power generation components such as turbines, compressors, heat exchangers, and more.

The challenges facing the Aerospace Industry

From a structural point of view, the aerospace industry requires integrity of each component at many different operating points, from take-off/landing to the upper atmosphere to outer space, where thermal gradients on satellites are extreme and greatly affect structural calculations. In this regard, explicit dynamics simulation has become standard practice when investigating the effect of bird strike on an engine, evaluate blade containment strategies for fan blade out, or investigate the reasons for structural failure on a specific component. As today’s civil aerospace industry accounts for about 2% of the worldwide CO2 production, a lot of research is taking place to develop lighter structures employing composite materials, in order to save weight, consume less fuel and therefore reduce the overall environmental impact.

For the same reasons, new solutions for civil engines have been developed, allowing them to become more efficient in terms of fuel consumption thanks to advanced CFD modeling techniques, applied to fuel injection and cooling systems, combustion chambers and augmentor design. Aerodynamics is also an important topic of research in order to develop high-lift, efficient wing profiles both for cruise and take-off/landing operating conditions. Aerodynamic noise is also relevant here: CFD codes coupled with an acoustic solver have created a new discipline called CAA (Computational Aero Acoustic) to predict aero-acoustic noise. Another coupling takes place when CFD joins FEM in Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI), often employed to calculate the flutter phenomenon, as well as the rotor-dynamics of helicopters.

Electronic components have a high impact on the cost of aircrafts and helicopters. Therefore the field of Electromagnetism is very important for the aerospace market, as many devices can cause interference problems (we all need to turn off our mobiles at take-off and landing after all) and antennas signal integrity must be assured for navigational purposes. Finite Element Analysis and CFD is often employed for analyzing the stress/strain field on electronic components, deriving from dynamic loads as well as thermal gradients.

As aerospace is a mature industry, many components generally have had a long development history and are quite reliable and performing. Yet, the development of new, innovative technologies, along with the strife for continuous improvement of existing parts, makes FEM or CFD or EM calculations alone not enough. The real challenge is to integrate all of these technologies in a design and optimization process such as PIDO (Process Integration and Design Optimization). This is where the CAE market is moving, and that is where partnering with EnginSoft can make a real difference for your company.

At EnginSoft, we have a vast experience in multi-disciplinary simulation consulting for the aerospace industry. Some notable research/projects we have been working on lately and our areas of expertise are here reported:

Space: EnginSoft has been a key participant in MELiSSA (Micro Ecological Life Support System Alternative) and ALISSE (Alternative Life Support System Evaluator) research projects, to develop the technology required for a future biological life support system for long term manned space missions, sponsored by the European Space Agency ESA; has performed thermo-structural analysis for satellite electronics housing using ESAComp (a software for the design of composite structures, developed by Componeering, a company co-founded by Enginsoft); performed explicit dynamics simulations to optimize airbag deployment on the ExoMars rover
Aircrafts: structural optimization of composite wings; turbine inlet design and optimization; aeroacoustics of jet engines; multi-phase fluid modeling and spray atomization; design of aeroengines components such as combustors, high- and low- pressure turbines, gear pumps and breathers; bird strike and fan blade out analysis.

EnginSoft and the Consumer Goods Industry

CAE tools have nowadays become a common industry standard to rapidly give companies the strategic elements mentioned above, as well as to completely quantify the uncertainties/tolerances of the actual and simulated processes, in order to reduce waste and to conform to production quality standards (six sigma, among others).

New CAE software tools are continuosly being developed to progressively abandon the old “trial and error” method, which is slow and wasteful, in favor of an integrated, optimized process where all the design parameters are quantified and can interact with one another. Some notable examples of an integrated approach to CAE in the consumer goods industry are here reported:

in the field of household appliances, structural, thermal, fluid dynamics and acoustic analyses provide the possibility to improve performance, achieve packaging and product efficiency, and enable data-driven decision making during the design phase. The test phase, as a result, is only used on the actual prototype for a final inspection
in sporting equipment production, the use of CAE is fundamental in order to simulate the behaviour of the sporting apparatus under extreme conditions, to test new materials as well as alternative shapes/modifications aimed at improving product performance before prototype production
in the electronics field (pc, tablet, telephony), crash, thermal and electromagnetic analyses are performed using the finite element method (FEM), in order to improve the quality and duration of the produced items
in the food industry, integrating Computer Based Engineering into production flow, not only for production machinery design, but also for packaging, conservation and fine-tuning of the production process itself, can provide a lasting competitive advantage to the manufacturer

EnginSoft’s strength is the multidisciplinary approach that includes all areas of Computer Based Engineering. In fact, its expertise covers all types of analyses for both product and process, including mechanical (structural inspection, exertion, crashes), thermal, thermal-structural, fluid dynamics, acoustics, electromagnetics.

CASE STUDY

Fluid Dynamics Optimization of Racing Engine Inlet Ducts at Aprilia Racing

Optimising racing engine inlet ducts using fluid dynamics

Racing engines are continuously evolved and fine-tuned to allow them to achieve extraordinary levels of performance, albeit with great complexity. However, MotoGP regulations restrict engine development by constraining some of the main design parameters.

optimization modefrontier cfd ansys rail-transport

CASE STUDY

A CAE based procedure to predict the low velocity impact response of a composite CAI specimen

The integrated procedure allowed to obtain a better understanding of the influence of some numerical parameters on the simulation results

The residual strength, in particular the compression strength after damage due to low velocity impact, is one of the most critical issue for composite laminates.

ls-dyna aerospace modefrontier composites

CASE STUDY

Reliable hydraulic direct drives for improved performance

Moving particle simulation allows time and money savings in engine development

This technical article presents the study of a radial piston hydraulic motor with an outside cam arrangement for Bosch Rexroth Mellansel AB.

turbomachinery cfd particleworks

CASE STUDY

High Quality Printing with CFD

Simulation allows engineers to improve print quality, ensure operator safety and contain energy consumption

In this article, Uteco describes how it applied Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to assist the design and improvement of its printing machines.

cfd ansys mechanics

CASE STUDY

Plastic Film Dragging

The dynamics of flexible bodies as they interactthrough contact with other bodies

In this example, these features were tested by simulating the motion of a very thin plastic film (32µm) being dragged by two rollers.

recurdyn mbd-ansys mechanics multibody

CASE STUDY

Aviospace: The Italian Aerospace & Defense Company

Using simulation for engineering challenges in unknown or poorly understood environments

Gambacciani began his career in development of diesel engines at FIAT-GM Powertrain (now FCA) where he gains a solid experience on CAE both in the fluid and structural environment.

aerospace ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

Cimolai Technology chooses ANSYS to save design time and improve product quality

Cimolai Technology designs and produces special machines and plants for lifting, handling, transport and launching operations

Cimolai Technology explains the business benefits it has achieved since the installation in terms of time savings in planning, and design, and improvements in product quality and in delivery forecast ability.

ansys mechanics rail-transport marine

CASE STUDY

CFD analysis of an industrial burner of a regeneration gas heater application

Using CFD analysis to save time and money in designing and testing industrial burners for the oil and gas industry

In this technical case study, EnginSoft was called in to assist in the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model the flame size of a regeneration gas-fired heater for a project in Oman.

ansys mechanics energy oil-gas

CASE STUDY

FEA of a Reinforced Concrete Tunnel under Fire Conditions

Fire risk verification of tunnel sections of a railway tunnel located in Florence

n this study the concrete tunnel section is discretized using longitudinal and shear truss fibers, together with stiff coupling elements where a transient heat fire analysis takes place.

construction civil-engineering strauss rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Rocky DEM Helps PepsiCo Cut Costs with Virtual Product Testing

Simulations improve the accuracy of factory equipment set-up and help identify potential custom modifications in advance

More and more companies rely upon simulation tools to help develop high-quality products and reduce costs. PepsiCo, Inc. is using these simulation technologies to analyze and improve products and processes, such as material handling challenges.

rocky food-beverage consumer-goods

CASE STUDY

The Fundamental Role of a Simulation-Based Approach in New High-Technology Product Development

Numerical simulation assists in all phases of product development from scoping and costing to final performance analysis

Simulation is nowadays strongly connected to new product development in most high-technology industries.

ansys electronics

CASE STUDY

Filming the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car Land Speed Record

Using CAE to optimise the design of a prototype for a super sonic filming drone

This detailed technical case study describes how the students arrived at a supersonic aircraft drone prototype using MATLAB and modeFRONTIER in order to reduce the time and costs of numerical and wind-tunnel testing.

automotive modefrontier optimization

CASE STUDY

Tracked Vehicle

RecurDyn offers two Toolkits that are completely dedicated to tracked vehicles

In this example, a tracked bulldozer was simulated to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the vehicle on different terrains and with different obstacles. The model can also be used to calculate the loads operating on the vehicle’s structure..

recurdyn automotive mechanics multibody

CASE STUDY

Multiphase CFD Analysis of Condensation in Automotive Headlamps

A new 3D CFD multi-phase model to simulate the water condensation-evaporation processes

EnginSoft implemented a new 3D CFD multi-phase model to simulate the water condensation-evaporation processes inside automotive headlamps for Automotive Lighting, a leading supplier of quality headlights to the OEM market

automotive cfd ansys rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Finite Elements Investigations about the Warm Hydroforming Process of Aluminum Alloys using LS-DYNA

The tensile and formability tests in warm condition

The present work investigates the Warm Hydro Forming (WHF) process of an AA6xxx series alloy (AA6061-T6) using a numerical-experimental approach.

ls-dyna metal-process-simulation

CASE STUDY

Structural Analysis of the Celtic Gateway Footbridge Design

A cable stayed, stainless steel footbridge connecting the port in the Welsh island of Anglesey to the town center of Holyhead

The footbridge is supported by two cable-stayed, stainless steel arches lying on inclined planes, supporting a steel deck with concrete infill.

civil-engineering strauss ansys construction

CASE STUDY

Cost Effective High- Performance Design: Innovation is the Answer

Marelli Motori applies multiphysics simulation to cost-effectively design better, more reliable motors and generators faster

Improving efficiency while reducing cost is a very complex engineering challenge. Marelli Motori makes extensive use of CFD and FEM multiphysics simulation to do just that in the design of its electrical motors and generators.

ansys automotive cfd

CASE STUDY

Solving the chainsaw kickback problem with Maplesoft and ANSYS

Maximising chainsaw safety over the tool’s life by analysing the kickback problem and lifetime tool fatigue and performance

The avoidance or reduction of chainsaw kickback is a key safety feature for manufacturers. The challenges for engineers are to obtain more accurate analyses of the problem over the tool’s lifecycle.

maplesim maple mechanics ansys consumer-goods

CASE STUDY

Optimization of an automotive manufacturing system design taking into account regional requirements

Applying CAE to facilitate business CapEx decision making in the automotive manufacturing sector

In this case study, EnginSoft engineers explain how they used modeFRONTIER to assist Comau, a Fiat Chrysler subsidiary, to optimize their approach to the preliminary design of production systems for automotive manufacturing system RFQs.

automotive optimization modefrontier rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Transient CFD Analysis of a Pelton Turbine

The performance evaluation to upgrade an existing hydropower plant

EnginSoft developed a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis methodology for the performance evaluation of a Pelton turbine

energy cfd ansys oil-gas

CASE STUDY

Integrated Simulation of Commercial Pasta Manufacturing

The Virtual Optimization PAsta production process (OPAV) research project, which resulted in a simulation model

This study was part of the Virtual Optimization PAsta production process (OPAV) research project,

modefrontier ansys ls-dyna magma optimization food-beverage consumer-goods

CASE STUDY

Multi-Objective Optimization of a Sailing Yacht Aluminum Mast

The optimal mast weight under specific structural strength requirements

The aim of this study was to reduce the weight of the world’s tallest aluminum mast for a new series of single mast sailing yachts manufactured by Perini Navi under the brand name Salute.

optimization modefrontier ansys marine rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Nautilus tech by Faber Spa: The new frontier for hoods ventilation

A Finite Element Method approach applied to product development for ventilation hoods

Faber Spa, which has designed and manufactured ventilation hoods for the past 50 years, holds a key global position both in terms of production and technology. It has achieved this position through strategic investments in research and development.

ansys appliances consumer-goods cfd

CASE STUDY

Structural Optimization of the Drift Chamber at FermiLAB

A collaboration between EnginSoft and the Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (I.N.F.N.)

The ultimate goal of the study was to optimize the Drift Chamber’s performance in terms of stiffness, strength and weight o be mounted on the Mu2e particle detector at FermiLAB in Chicago

construction civil-engineering modefrontier ansys optimization energy

CASE STUDY

Printer

RecurDyn offers a dedicated toolkit to pre-process, solve and post-process problems involving flexible media

The final portion of the paper path of a laser printer has been studied using the Media Transport Toolkit to evaluate the influence of the corrugating roller which is used to corrugate the sheet to keep it straight before falling into the tray.

recurdyn multibody mechanics consumer-goods

CASE STUDY

Controlled Floater for Marine Pipeline Towing

A system to simplify the towing and laying down of marine pipelines in shallow water fields

A developer of innovative equipment designed a system to simplify the towing and laying down of marine pipelines in shallow water fields.

energy modefrontier optimization oil-gas recurdyn

CASE STUDY

Immergas: Using CAE to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and costs, and shorten time-to-market

Interview with engineer Luca Cavalli, from the advanced engineering team at Immergas

In this interview, engineer Luca Cavalli, of Immergas’ advanced engineering team, discusses the technical and business benefits the company has realised since first introducing Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) technologies into its R&D department in 1997.

ansys appliances cfd mechanics

CASE STUDY

Engine Dynamics

A four-stroke engine was analyzed in depth by means of a detailed Multibody Dynamics (MBD) simulation

This type of highly-defined model provides valuable outputs: the contact analysis provides detailed information about the pressure and friction between the parts, which is useful for estimating wear

automotive multibody recurdyn

CASE STUDY

Lucid Motors boosts electric vehicle performance with modeFRONTIER

Performing multi-objective inverter cooling system optimization with modeFRONTIER

This brief article summarises how California-based electric car company, Lucid Motors, used the CAE application, ModeFRONTIER for performing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

automotive optimization modefrontier

CASE STUDY

Beyond the barrier of perfection

Optimization Case study of a multi-stage steam turbine designed by Franco Tosi Meccanica

This case study details the design optimization of an axial steam turbine of 160 MW, focusing on maximizing the total-to-total isentropic efficiency of the last three low-pressure stages of the turbine.

cfd ansys turbomachinery modefrontier

CASE STUDY

Lime Kiln DEM Analysis with ROCKY

CAE is key to ensuring the efficiency and technical integrity of equipment and plants in the lime industry

In the lime industry, the process engineers of Cimprogretti advise on process safety, analyse and interpret laboratory and plant data and provide specialised support to ensure the technical integrity of equipment and plants.

mechanics rocky

CASE STUDY

Integrated Life Cycle Design for Buildings: Invest in Simulation to Increase Comfort and Environmental Sustainability at a Reasonable Cost

Sustainable building design

This article presents a business case for the use of simulation methods and technologies in the construction sector, particularly for decision-support in sustainable building design.

civil-engineering construction environmental

CASE STUDY

How to optimize an external gear pump in highly constrained conditions

Meeting the engineering challenge of increasing efficiency while reducing costs

In this technical case study, EnginSoft assists Casappa to further refine an already-optimized standard series pump for an electrical motor and generator

mechanics optimization modefrontier

CASE STUDY

RecurDyn helps ensures passenger safety in faster, higher capacity detachable chair lifts

Software facilitates dynamic studies of complex multi-body models to predict accelerations; verify, shape and size structural parts

Dynamic studies are required to predict the accelerations, verify that the cams are properly shaped, and to extract the loads to structurally size the parts.

recurdyn multibody mbd-ansys automotive

CASE STUDY

Optimizing the Glass Clamping of a Pyrolytic Oven

An appreciable 30 to 40% decrease in stresses

The aim of this study was to find the best quality glass-clamping system, through parametric model optimization, for a new pyrolytic self-cleaning oven by Indesit.

modefrontier optimization consumer-goods appliances

CASE STUDY

LS-DYNA and modeFRONTIER for Material Model Calibration at Automobili Lamborghini

The main challenge is to reproduce their structural behavior by developing suitable numerical models

While the engineers relied on modeFRONTIER's capabilities, the procedure has been to calibrate the constitutive parameters of LS-DYNA's advanced material models, and to use them for prediction, design optimization and robustness analysis.

modefrontier ls-dyna automotive composites

CASE STUDY

FE modeling of a composite sandwich laminate with LS-DYNA for Aerospace applications

Laminated composite materials such as sandwich structures are widely used in the transportation industry

This project investigates how best to correctly predict the energy absorption of these non-isotropic and non-homogeneous materials, whose lamina thickness is typically of the order of 0.2 mm or less and consists of tiny fibers or particles dispersed in a matrix material.

ls-dyna aerospace composites

CASE STUDY

RecurDyn enables engineers to create full FE models of flexible belts

Faciliitates extraction of stresses and strains from entire structure and takes into account all friction forces, shape and misalignment dynamics and structural flexibility

A virtual prototype of a belt must necessarily include the high flexibility of the belt itself, as well as a detailed description of the contacts. This is another scenario where RecurDyn provides better functionality than its competitors.

multibody mbd-ansys recurdyn

CASE STUDY

Drag Optimization of the E-1 Electric Racecar

A FIA E-1 class racecar was being developed by Brigham Young University to set a world speed record for Electric Vehicles

The car is designed to race on the ultra-flat Salt Flats in Bonneville, Utah. The racecar weighs less than 500kg so increasing the downforce was critical. Reducing aerodynamic drag was also critical due to the power requirements of the racecar.

cfd automotive

CASE STUDY

Agricultural equipment suppliers use CAE to improve product performance, safety and desirability

CAE technologies also reduce design and testing times, and design costs

This case study describes how the company’s R&D team used ANYSYS and Spaceclaim to conduct Finite Element Method analyses to refine the design of a new model of a sprayer boom used by farmers to distribute phytosanitary products over fields for crop protection.

ansys automotive rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Whirlpool uses simulation to investigate improvements to vacuum cleaner performance

Simulation studies help Whirlpool identify the most useful design modifications to support its product objectives

This article describes how EnginSoft applied a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, on behalf of Whirlpool EMEA, to simulate three different geometrical design modifications to the vacuum cleaner head to improve on a baseline performance that was modelled first.

appliances cfd ansys

CASE STUDY

New Ferry boat: Emax 2 circuit breaker tolerance analysis for maximum efficiency in panelbuilding

EnginSoft engineers help ABB optimize the Emax 2 design to allow ABB’s client IMESA to create a highly compact switchgear column for a state-of-the-art ferryboat

In this technical case study, we illustrate how EnginSoft engineers helped ABB to optimize the design of the Emax2 project.

cetol electronics mechanics tollerances eztol

CASE STUDY

Cold Forging of a Silent Block Bush Steel Sleeve

Minimize physical prototypes and reduce waste, while reducing the lead time and overall production costs

The object of this study was simulating and optimizing the cold forging process for a silent block bush steel sleeve. A silent block bush is traditionally used in the linkage system of a car suspension, in railway carriages and in agricultural machinery.

metal-process-simulation forge forging automotive

CASE STUDY

Cross Validation of the Final Design for the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

The bridge designed by the world famed architect Santiago Calatrava

The bridge represents an example of a cable stayed mixed steel-concrete structure, where the stay cables are asymmetrically connected to the center of the deck and to the top of the central transverse steel arch.

construction civil-engineering strauss ansys

CASE STUDY

Oil flow simulation in a reciprocating engine at Honda R&D

Particleworks, an innovative particle method simulation tool, playing an important role in previously-unattainable simulation problems

In this technical article, EnginSoft and Prometech explain how they executed a highly complex computational simulation on the fluid-structure interaction of the oil flow inside a reciprocating engine, on behalf of Honda R&D.

automotive cfd particleworks

CASE STUDY

Structural Analysis of the Planing Hull for the Permare Amer 116 Super Yacht

An efficient, fully integrated and optimized logic that consisted in the coupling of different software analysis tools

The main structure of the yacht is made of composite laminates with the presence of many composite reinforcements and bonded joints. We conducted a detailed structural analysis of the entire structure and verified the structural requirements.

marine optimization

CASE STUDY

Advanced strategies for the flow field optimization of a medical device

How to use a hybrid method of CFD analysis for product optimization and performance improvement while reducing the computational effort and the time required to achieve the results

Further reduction of the heat loss compared to the best design of the NSGA-II first phase design optimization: a further 4% gained

cfd biomechanics ansys modefrontier optimization

CASE STUDY

The Structural Design of Roller Coasters

An integrated CAD-CAE procedure

Engineers will normally need to evaluate a number of different designs, only one of which will result in the final construction configuration. This is why numerical simulation plays an indispensible role in roller coaster design.

ansys civil-engineering construction

CASE STUDY

Innovative and Integrated Technologies for the Development of Aeronautical Components

A more efficient simulation procedure for the design phase of Al-Si alloy components for the aeronautical industry.

The scope of this study was to determine and validate a more efficient simulation procedure for the design phase of Al-Si alloy components for the aeronautical industry.

aerospace magma metal process simulation

CASE STUDY

High Pressure Die Casting Optimization of a Connecting Rod

A multi-objective engineering simulation study of the connecting rods manufacturing process

Connecting rods connect the pistons to the crank shaft in automotive engines and are vital components of the engine. Connecting rods are traditionally produced in ferrous metals by forging or die casting.

metal-process-simulation automotive magma

CASE STUDY

Circuit Breakers

Multibody simulation is the best technology to analyze the dynamic behavior of safety circuit breakers

The premium software RecurDyn was used to simulate a Double Pole Single Throw Switch using three different modeling schemes. A comparison of the results provided useful information for the designers.

recurdyn mechanics multibody

CASE STUDY

Comparison of casting simulation results and experimental data in heavy section ductile iron production

Aims to provide accurate information on cooling curves, microstructures and mechanical properties of large items for generic commercial uses

This technical article discusses a comparison study of simulated results and experimental data on the cooling curves, the microstructure and the mechanical properties inside a general commercial ductile iron casting.

die-casting metal-process-simulation magma

CASE STUDY

Structural optimization of a bridge beam section subjected to instability of equilibrium

CAE and numeric simulation guides engineers to an optimal design for structural safety at the lowest cost

This technical article describes how engineers tackled a design optimization challenge to ensure the structural integrity of a section of the beam of a typical steel bridge whose web of main beams was subject to instability.

civil-engineering modefrontier optimization

CASE STUDY

A new methodology based on LS-DYNA for integrating product & process engineering of a steel wheel

Wheels are products with key geometrical and structural specifications.

A new methodology is presented, following an integrated process-product analysis approach, showing some benefits related to increased accuracy and the potential application of new optimization methods.

ls-dyna automotive composites

CASE STUDY

Numerical simulations for the structural performance assessments: a connecting rod’s case study

Piaggio Group uses CAE to ensure a new product design’s safety and durability

The connecting rod is one of the most important components in powertrain systems, so it requires very careful structural analyses because its failure implies serious damage to the entire engine.

automotive ansys rail-transport

CASE STUDY

CFD Characterization of the Ventricular Assist Device HeartAssist 5® Through a Sliding Mesh Approach

Analysis to determine possible optimizations to enhance device safety and efficacy for long-term patient use

This technical article describes how high-end numerical Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were applied to mimic the realistic operating conditions of a Ventricular Assist Device (VADs) and analyze its hemodynamics in order to identify potential areas for optimization of the device’s performance, safety and efficacy.

ansys cfd biomechanics

CASE STUDY

Ensuring product innovation and lifetime product performance right from the design phase

Lovato Electrics chooses ANSYS MAXWELL to guarantee it brings superior products to market in less time

Lovato Electric is committed to delivering innovation through its products and so it commissioned EnginSoft to help it create a pilot project in order to compare and finally select an electromagnetic field simulation software solution.

ansys electronics

CASE STUDY

Johannesburg 2010 World Cup Stadium Roof and Facade Design

An ambitious remodeling and expansion plan for the stadium was initiated

The study analyzed these structures for strength, service and stability conditions before construction.

civil-engineering construction ansys

CASE STUDY

Fuel Injection

A multibody model was developed using RecurDyn to study the high-speed dynamic behavior of the injector during a typical work cycle

The model contains both rigid and flexible bodies: the pin was modelled using the proprietary Full Flex technology which includes a Finite Element body in the dynamic simulation.

recurdyn mbd-ansys automotive multibody

CASE STUDY

Stranding Machine

EnginSoft, in collaboration with MARIO FRIGERIO, developed a multibody model of a stranding machine

Stranding and closing planetary machines are huge pieces of equipment designed to twist multiple heavy spools of strand at noticeable speed, to manufacture large section steel ropes.

recurdyn multibody mechanics

CASE STUDY

Damage Estimation of Vehicle through Tsunami Simulation using Particleworks and LS-DYNA

MPS method in fluid computational dynamics offers possibilities for improving the design of vehicle safety

In this technical article, we demonstrate how to apply a one-way coupling technique using a combination of ParticleWorks and LS-DYNA to estimate tsunami damage to a vehicle.

automotive ls-dyna energy cfd particleworks environmental

CASE STUDY

Interview with Diego Barone, R&D Project Leader at Vin Service

Vin Service, founded in 1976, is a world leader in dispenser technology and the first Italian manufacturer of draft-wine dispensers. Its core business is in the dispensing equipment industry and in cooling systems for beverages.

ansys mechanics food-beverage

CASE STUDY

Gluers

Studying the dynamics of cam mechanisms is crucial to ensure reliable, efficient and fast machines

In this example, a gluer machine was studied using RecurDyn

recurdyn mechanics multibody consumer-goods food-beverage

CASE STUDY

Lateral Buckling Analysis of a Cable-Stayed Arch

A brilliant example of how computer aided engineering can assist engineers to contrive an optimal solution to the problem of lateral buckling

The cable-stayed arch on one of the three bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava in Reggio Emilia: a brilliant example of an optimal solution

civil-engineering strauss construction

CASE STUDY

Steel Casting Optimization of a Gas Diffuser

An optimal gating and feeding system for the production of steel parts

The object of this study is a steel diffuser, which for obvious reasons needs to comply with very strict quality guidelines and industry regulations.

metal process simulation die casting metal-process-simulation magma consumer-goods

CASE STUDY

Forklift Dynamics

The forklift’s wheels were represented in detail to implement a sophisticated model of the tire features

A client wanted to evaluate the dynamic performance of a new-concept forklift, so a fully-functional multibody model of the forklift was built by assembling the client’s CAD geometries.

recurdyn multibody automotive mechanics

CASE STUDY

Evaluation of dam performance under seismic loads with DCR time history procedure

Using the DCR time-history procedure to determine the behaviour of the dam’s 10.2M m³ of roller compacted concrete

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is situated along the Blue Nile River. Located 500 km north west of the Ethiopian capital Addis Abeba, in the Benishangul-Gumaz region, the GERD will be the largest plant in Africa

civil-engineering construction strauss

CASE STUDY

Optimizing the Aerodynamic Efficiency of an Aircraft Nacelle

The optimal aerodynamic design while substantially reducing the costs

The challenge was to find the optimal aerodynamic design while substantially reducing the costs associated with traditional CFD modeling.

aerospace cfd ansys

CASE STUDY

Numerical simulation of protection systems on agricultural tractors to ensure standards compliancy

Virtual testing of roll-over protection and of falling-object protection in the early design phase ensures safety performance

This technical case study describes how the ROPS and FOPS of a tractor were numerically studied in the early design phase to ensure compliance with OECD Standard Code 4 (for the cabin’s resistance to longitudinal, lateral and vertical energy or force) and Code 10 (for overhead protection from falling objects).

automotive rail-transport ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

Woodrail Road Barrier Impact Analysis

The Woodrail^® road barrier is designed to improve vehicle safety blending in with the surrounding environment.

The barrier has been thoroughly tested and certified against car and bus impact conditions.

automotive ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

Tolerances analysis on a nitrogen spring

EnginSoft models technical product modifications to enable Special Springs to satisfy a customer request at the minimum cost

Special Springs commissioned EnginSoft’s engineers to calculate the production cost repercussions of a technical product modification requested by an important customer.

mechanics cetol tollerances eztol

CASE STUDY

Ring Rolling of a Wind Tower Flange

A tool to reduce the level of post manufacturing defects, material wastage and overall production costs

An academic study of the hot ring rolling process at ASFO Spa, that it ended with the company using Transvalor Forge as a tool to reduce the level of post manufacturing defects, material wastage and overall production costs

energy forge metal-process-simulation

CASE STUDY

Excavators

The influence of flexibility was considered with the use of both the Reduced Flex and the Full Flex options in RecurDyn

A multibody model of an excavator was developed to calculate the loads acting on the structure and to perform static structural verifications of the different components.

automotive multibody recurdyn mechanics

CASE STUDY

Dynamic response of a buried pipeline, under the action of the fall of rocks on the soil

Safety assessment of a buried pipeline potentially subject to rockfalls

Oil or gas pipelines that cover long distances pose complex design challenges. Every environment the pipeline crosses is characterized by different potential geohazards. One of the most dangerous for a pipeline is a rockfall.

oil-gas mechanics ansys

CASE STUDY

Gravity Die Casting of Motorcycle Components

A permanent mold casting study of the mold design and mold-casting process of an aluminum alloy single-sided-swing-arm

The advent of the Naked Motorcycle has changed the way we look at motorcycle parts: they now also need to be aesthetically pleasing because they are mostly visible to the naked eye.

automotive magma metal-process-simulation rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Ultra-Wide Band Radome CAE Optimization

Overcoming mechanical and electromagnetic challenges in refining a radome for electronic warfare

Elettronica SpA designs and produces systems for electronic warfare. Each system design is unique according to its platform and purpose. In this article, the company describes how it used CAE to approach the challenging design of a single sandwich radome.

ansys optimization electronics

CASE STUDY

Performance and Shape Optimization of the Campagnolo Tri-ProPad bike shorts pad

A new and revolutionary pad for bike shorts.

Sport equipment design is characterized by the fact that a fundamental part of a product success depends on the athlete’s feedback.

sports modefrontier ansys ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

Air Cooled Heat Exchanger Systems Performance Modeling

Model of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant for the simulation of the Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger Systems’ (ACHE)

EnginSoft developed a 3D CFD model of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant for the simulation of the Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger Systems’ (ACHE) arrays and their interaction with the wind.

energy cfd ansys oil-gas

CASE STUDY

Accurate modeling and simulation of belt-type continuously variable transmissions

RecurDyn facilitates virtualization of dynamic systems governed by both contacts and large flexibility

RecurDyn software allows belt-type systems, including CVTs, to be both modelled and simulated accurately. The dedicated “Belt Toolkit”, which is an automated modeling assistant, includes all of the components found in a belt-type transmission.

automotive rail-transport recurdyn

CASE STUDY

RecurDyn easily analyses the complex dynamics of a musical box

Analysis includes highly flexible bodies and extended contacts with their surfaces

This is a classic scenario that exploits the best features of RecurDyn software, such as the Full-Flex and the Geo-Contact technology.

recurdyn multibody mbd-ansys

CASE STUDY

Shape Rolling of a European Standard Beam IPE Profile

A pilot study carried out by engineers from EnginSoft and Beltrame

The study allowed the engineers to estimate the shape profile geometry after each roll pass, the rolls wear and the total load and point at which the beam will bend in off-center setups.

construction metal-process-simulation forge mechanics