Frankenthal, Heßheimerstraße 2

What is CAE ? A definition

The abbreviation CAE stands for Computer Aided Engineering. In the technical field, this umbrella term stands for all computer-based design, calculation and simulation methods that significantly accelerate the product development process. In these methods, component geometries are generated with the aid of hardware and software. Subsequently, mechanical, thermal or hydraulic load characteristics of a component can be simulated directly on the computer.

The designer first creates a 3D model of a component with the CAD software, and thus stores its geometric dimensions parametrically. This is also called Computer Aided Design (CAD). The CAE programs are based on a mathematical representation of the real physical processes. This allows us to calculate the expected effects of forces, flows, materials, etc. after feeding in the 3-D CAD model.

what is cae (computer aided engineering)
CAE example: 3D model of plastic part

What are the advantages of Computer Aided Engineering ?

One advantage of CAE engineering is that components with specified requirements can be visually tested in numerous variants before physical production. This means that CAE computer aided engineering enables development teams to design theoretically functioning elements, for example, and to test them directly. Therefore, the term "aided" (Computer Aided Engineering - CAE) also means "supporting", as this is a supporting function in the development area. This means that it is not necessary to produce new expensive prototypes or carry out elaborate series of experiments every time. In this way, considerably more experiments are realized on the computer in a shorter time.

The time saved by CAE engineering is a very important factor. In addition, hypotheses about the design, geometry or load capacity of components can be evaluated correctly or incorrectly in advance, thus massively increasing component safety.

The possibility to visualize the results of a calculation additionally simplifies the evaluation. They are therefore a great help, but in no way replace the need for physical component tests. 

What are the typical applications ?

CAE engineering therefore has numerous applications in the technical industrial fields. This is used, for example, to test load hypotheses of products in the development phase. It is also used to further optimize the properties of components that have already been produced. Thus, calculations of stress distributions in mechanical systems, flow processes, casting processes or multi-body simulations are carried out.

Find out more about the Application of the CAE methodology and what possibilities the use of this technology offers.

On our pages you will learn how to use CAE- Services accelerate and optimize your product development process.
Are you curious ?
Inform yourself about our complete range of services and contact us !

en_GBEnglish (UK)