Engineering organizations looking to stay competitive must constantly find ways to increase productivity while cutting costs. Computer-aided engineering software makes this all possible, with tools designed to help teams create better products faster thanks to the power of computer-aided design and simulation.

What Is Computer-Aided Engineering Software?

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is the practice of using computer-assisted, math-based analysis and simulation techniques to aid product development. When it comes to computer-aided engineering software, these programs help you do that throughout the entire process, including ideation, drafting, simulation, and testing. CAE often combines the powers of computer-aided design (CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FAE), physics, and engineering and calculations.

Computer-aided engineering software definition: Using computer-assisted, math-based analysis and simulation techniques to aid the entire product development process throughout ideation, drafting, development, and testing.

Why You Need Computer-Aided Engineering Software

Computer-aided engineering software supports engineering teams in creating products, assemblies, and validated and optimized components for their specific uses. While there are numerous benefits to CAE, the notable ones include the following:

Streamlined Prototyping and Testing

Computer-aided engineering software makes it possible to reduce the time and cost associated with prototyping and testing. Of course, it’s not a complete substitute, but with the right skills and technique, teams better understand how their products will perform in the real world. This increased confidence means time and resources can be saved by prototyping and testing the top options—instead of all of them.

Increased Efficiency

Incorporating simulation early and often into the design process significantly streamlines workflows. It removes silos and eliminates unnecessary sequential design and repetitive analysis and iterations.

Improved Optimization

It’s common for resource-strapped companies to overengineer their products with more durable materials, additional structural components, and more fasteners, ultimately increasing product weight and cost. In contrast, organizations that use computer-aided engineering software can optimize their designs and remove added weight—even with fewer engineering resources.

Ultimately, the most significant benefit of computer-aided engineering software is the ability to optimize designs to their full potential within any determined specifications or restraints.

How You Can Use Computer-Aided Engineering Software

Computer-aided engineering software can be used for a range of applications:

  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD): Model digital fluids within your CAD system to save on hardware and physical prototyping costs. Layer on numerical analysis, and you can visualize how the fluids will flow in real-world scenarios.
  • Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM): Get the highest quality precision machining as quickly as possible to improve quality, speed up lead time, and cut costs. Advanced machining toolpath tools increase productivity with more efficient machining.
  • Finite element analysis (FEA): FEA is used to understand how a model will react to forces such as heat, vibration, and more within the real world. This analysis is a critical part of the design cycle that ensures these forces won’t negatively impact products.
  • Simulation and analysis: It is critical to understand how parts and products will work under the stresses and loads under which they will operate in the real world. Advanced simulation makes it easy to complete simulations to improve and validate 3D prototypes.

Getting Started with Computer-Aided Engineering Software

Finding the right computer-aided engineering software is the key to ensuring success within your organization. As the largest PTC reseller on the West Coast, we may be biased, but we recommend Creo for CAE. Creo is one of the leading CAE solutions, and we get why after working in the industry for many years. Creo has all the features you need for CAE, as well as other advanced tools to keep you ahead of the competition, like real-time simulation, additive manufacturing, and more.

Creo provides a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions for CAE, CAD, CAM, and more.

Ready to get started with Creo computer-aided engineering software? Let’s talk.