The world that we live in today, has dramatically evolved and become technology-driven. From simplest task of finding the best restaurant to searching for the best neuro surgeon in the country, Google has answers to all your queries including address, visiting hours, menu, fees and everything. But the thing that is missing big time is that friendly voice that guides you at every turn on your way to the restaurant or the clinic. But all this did not happen overnight; instead it’s been more than two decades that we have been witnessing this steady progression of technology across all fronts.

Same is the case with engineering as well. It is a rather broad concept with an ultimate goal to efficiently design and optimize mechanical systems. Vision for a product is where all starts from, backed with complex mathematical analytics on its way and principles of physics, resulting in what we call robust, lean, well-performing part, machine or process.

Computer aided design – CAD, engineering and manufacturing tools have turned the tables to advance new product developments taking them to new avenues. All this resulted in innovative new products and accelerated time to market. But what role does aspects or elements like observation and physical testing play in this automated world? Does this mean that practical, hands-on experience is now a misfit? The conclusion that we would want to take you to, will certainly surprise you all.

Physical Testing

We cannot deny the fact that changed business drivers such as innovation, quality, sustainability, quality etc. all come from the epitome of the ability to explore multiple design alternatives, affordably and with quick around time; at the earliest stages of product development. Sophisticated models and simulation software are put at task to attain the best of the results. New designs are modeled and simulated to conclude how they will operate/react in real life conditions. This is backed with alternate designs and material choices that can be conveniently explored to understand the impact of each of the factors including quality, durability, manufacturability and sustainability.

But in this awe of speed and profitability, the important fact which is ignored is the “baseline data”. Where does this data come from, against which newer designs are compared to make profitable growth? Usually, the data used to validate designs is fetched from physical laboratories. And they derived those findings or data by performing tests on both physical prototypes and implants, which failed for one or the other reason.

Design Validation

Advent in technology facilitating computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering has succeeded in significantly reducing the number of physical prototypes required, as compared to few years back. The processes have turned robust when it comes to validating new designs prior to going into production. There is a very good case of a medical device manufacturer, how they saved a lot of amount of time and money by identifying potential hazards even before the medical equipment hit the market.

Lack of Practical Knowledge

In most industrial engineering companies, as a matter of fact this has been the experience across industries, engineering managers and directors, complaint about lack of practical knowledge with their engineers. The automation of designs and simulations have taken off, important steps like physical testing. This leads to a situation where engineering graduates today do not have the proper training to integrate themselves in the world of industrial design and production.

Data from Conventional Engineering

Advanced modeling and analytic tools have successfully revolutionized new product development, and these technologies don’t seem to saturate in near future. And these technologies are progressing to advance industries including automotive, building design and construction, building products and components, infrastructure design, plant design engineering, medical devices, heavy engineering and many more.

The important factor here is that these data-driven systems, automate processes they are designed to follow, but only with help of data fed by humans. Aspects of physical testing and practical experience, has always provided required data to fuel new product development today, tomorrow and beyond.

About Author:

Usha B. Trivedi is a Technical Writer at Hi-Tech CADD Services. She has graduated in mechanical engineering discipline. She contributes in-depth articles for mechanical and industrial equipment designs, processing plants and fabrication sector. Her contributions are primarily focused on enabling engineering professionals, fabricators and plant owners to optimize design outcomes through CAD and CAE tools.