The Importance of CAE and CAD

Customers are becoming more and more technically savvy. As such, they are demanding more engineered and designed products that have been tried and tested. As physical testing is expensive, corporations are turning to simulation, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to help with the design of products. Ohio Northern University (ONU) is offering a BS in Technical Studies which aims to teach students these CAE, CAD, and simulation software.

Paul Nutter is the Chair and an Associate Professor in the Department of Technological Studies at Ohio Northern University. He teaches Digital Manufacturing and Manufacturing Simulation classes. Prof. Nutter agreed that, “CAD and computer simulations are becoming a foundational tool for manufacturing and for our society as a whole. To continue providing the standard of living we've grown accustomed to or improve it we need to manufacture better and more useful products. These Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools are essential to permit the design process for these products to meet the demands.”

Learning CAE and CAD Software

The technical studies students are exposed to in-plant manufacturing operations and software. This will allow them to talk-shop with company professionals working on a real world problem. Additionally, within the coop/internship program students are able to gain experience improving their chances to obtain a position during graduation. The program is then concluded with an industry connected capstone project.

“We emphasise lifelong learning to our students, and their ability to find solutions for themselves in our program. The latter can be a place where some students struggle. I assign tutorials where teams of students select a complex product to reverse engineer and produce a model in CATIA. Students must frequently go beyond the lessons to determine how to produce a certain feature or shape. This is where teamwork and collaboration helps the most. Students research for themselves, even using Youtube for some surprisingly detailed CAD tips,” suggested Professor Nutter.

Unfortunately, Prof. Nutter noted that the program doesn’t cover in detail Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Product Data Management (PDM), automation, and (Computer Aided Manufacturing) CAM. However, there are plans in place to improve the instructions in these areas. Fortunately, with the emphasis of continual learning and self-education taught in the program, students learn very quickly to validate and analyze a model using the aforementioned tools.

Professor Nutter assured, “I have some former students running FEA on GE aircraft engines. We may not focus on FEA to the level I would like if there were more time, but our students know how to learn competence in whatever CAE tool they need.”

He added that, “our program gives students the confidence and ability to use the same or similar high end CAD and CAE software that's used in industry. When they tell an employer they can use CATIA - a primary software for tier one Honda companies for instance - it gives them credibility over other graduates that may have used less complicated software. It also gives them a leg up to learn advanced CAE software offered from other companies.”

Applying CAE and CAD to the Workplace

As for these first tier companies, they are perfect placement options for the student internship program or capstone project. The intense one semester internships can grow into multi-term co-ops and eventual job offers. “Our students are enjoying very good salaries and success in their placements. 100% of our students find a job placement within 6-months of graduation, and they are almost always offered a job before graduation,” noted Professor Nutter.

“In 2011 we had three different team projects in partnership with Ford,” reminisced Professor Nutter. “Our students worked on ergonomics, robotics, and process flow simulations using DELMIA and CATIA to help Ford with manufacturing system design. It gave our students some very good real world experience.”

While working at their placements, students receive a lot of responsibility. They tend to work in parallel development on a problem with professionals. This is done in an attempt to discover fresh ideas. Many students will end up incorporating some solution into the final product.

Which CAE Tool to Hang Your Hat On?

For those looking to specialize in a particular CAE software, Prof. Nutter had some suggestions. He recommended that, “basic design in CAD has universal applications in the engineering profession. Usually only large companies are using simulation, but everyone needs CAD.” This makes perfect sense as most CAE tools will need a CAD model as a starting point. Therefore, no matter what CAE tool you use, CAD will likely be needed in your toolset.

As for simulation, he noted that, “simulation is on the rise in small and medium companies as the price to perform them continues to be reduce.” This has been a particular mandate of most of the simulation companies. Bringing simulation to those that don’t typically use it and earlier in the design cycle. As simulation booms, companies will need those that can make the software dance.

If CAD and simulation doesn’t meet your fancy then, Professor Nutter suggested that, “manufacturing engineers, specializing in human solutions (ergonomics) and robotics applications, are finding high demand and success in the industrial workplace. One of my biggest challenges for several years has been to satisfy the demand for graduates who have these skills and experience.” Either way, as CAE tools become more prominent, more engineers will need to fill this niche.