A Method and a Support for a Better Integration of Mechanical Simulation in the Design Process

Abstract

World wide competition in industry has dramatically increased the use of computational mechanics techniques which are nowadays a key factor of the design process. Nevertheless, the use of the simulation techniques in a more systematic way and in the early stages of the design process gives rise to numerous problems. Even the state-of-the-art “integrated” CAD software tools are unable to give efficient solutions to these problems.

Following a brief bibliographical revue of different research works related to this subject, the present paper proposes, through the SG3C software, a working methodology and a supporting software tool in order to provide some elements of solution to the different problems related to integrating computational mechanics in the design processes. The conceptual model is first presented. A simple example of a design situation is then used to show why the SG3C system is interesting for the numerical simulations efficiency. Some particular features such as modelisation guidelines, process tracking, knowledge management and co-operative work are underlined.