If you’ve ever stayed up late debugging a model, questioned the laws of physics, or wondered why your solver takes hours to run, you’ll find something relatable here.
Being a CAE engineer is like being in a long-term relationship with simulations—you put in all the effort, solve complex problems, and sometimes, things still crash (literally). And let’s not forget physics, the silent force behind everything we do.
Over the years, I’ve shared my thoughts, struggles, and insights on LinkedIn, and some posts have resonated more than others. So, I thought—why not bring them all together? This blog is a collection of my best-performing posts on two things close to my heart: CAE and fundamentals of physics.
So, let's relive the highs and lows of CAE life.
1) The Dynamic Engineer
What makes the role of CAE Engineers particularly interesting is their dynamic skill set.
Apart from analytical skills, a CAE Engineer needs to wear many hats in his/her daily life to ensure effective outcome. 🎯 But that's not all!
👉 Their ability to address challenges while collaborating seamlessly across multiple teams makes them a driving force behind operational success.
2) Computational Struggles
In CAE, Implicit analysis requires more computational effort as compared to explicit analysis. Let's understand why.
Implicit method involves solving a system of equations iteratively, using matrix calculations. 📉💻
👉 The computational cost of solving these equations increases with size & complexity of the model.
👉 Also, it is well-suited for problems with highly nonlinear material behavior, contact & large deformations.
This demands more computational resources to accurately capture & solve the model behavior.
3) Challenges
Vibration analysis seems interesting due to its interdisciplinary approach. NVH combines physics, math & engineering to address real world issues. ⚙📈
Additionally, it often involves working with complex data sets, requiring skills in data analytics, signal processing & interpretation.
This approach requires a strong hold on multiple areas making it challenging for beginners. 🤔
So, here are some ways to develop your skillset in vibration.
👉 Build a strong foundation by studying the fundamentals of physics, mathematics & engineering.
👉 Engage in hands-on, practical projects like creating simple models with available resources online.
👉 Explore books, research papers & case studies to deepen your understanding.
4) The problem solver
CAE isn't something you can do with just one click. It relies on many inputs & parameters to get accurate results.
By coordinating experimental data with the right parameters, Engineers achieve results that are more realistic.
Therefore, CAE engineers performing analysis must make sure that necessary conditions are met without compromising the accuracy.
They must rely on their experience, technical knowledge & skill set to ensure the results are reliable.
5) Are you just a Tool expert?
Knowing the basics well is often the key to solving toughest of problems. Similarly, getting a strong grasp of physics before learning a tool is crucial for becoming good at CAE.
👉 Engineers who know hashtag#physics well are more adaptable, as it allows them to apply principles across different domains irrespective of the tool.
👉 Moreover, they can critically evaluate results, focusing on the real-world implications instead of just relying on virtual outcomes.
While tools are needed for time-consuming calculations, it’s the basics that actually drive the solutions.
6) Eleventh hour rush!
As CAE Engineers, we know the frustration of late-stage changes to design requirements or specifications.
These last-minute shifts often mean reworking, revalidating & scrambling to meet deadlines - all under intense pressure. 🤯
👉 But remember, these challenges also highlight our adaptability & problem-solving skills.
Every time we face such hurdles, we’re proving our ability to deliver accurate & reliable results, no matter the circumstances.
👉 In fact, CAE Engineers are known for adaptability due to their skill of handling eleventh-hour situations. 🔧🦾
7) There are no shortcuts
Have you ever met someone who thinks CAE is just about pressing a button to get desired output? Some believe it’s all about pretty pictures, ignoring the unpredictable nature of real-world materials.
They don’t realize the hours of processing involved or how a single wrong boundary condition can affect the outcome. 😵
👉 In CAE, there’s no magic button. Just meticulous work & expertise.
8) Result interpretation
Running a simulation is only half the battle. As a CAE Engineer, the real challenge often begins during post-processing.
👉 While the model setup phase is crucial, extracting meaningful insights from the data requires true expertise.
It's not just about generating colorful plots – it’s about transforming them into actionable insights that drive better designs.
👉 That's why, mastering post-processing techniques is a vital skill for anyone looking to excel in the field of CAE.
9) How long will it take?
Crash simulations can take hours to solve just a few seconds of real-world situation. But why is that so? It's all about the complexity behind the scenes!
A CAE solver breaks down every millisecond into tiny steps to capture the details of how materials bend, break & absorb energy during a crash. From ultra-fine mesh to real-world material behavior, every step is crucial to ensuring accuracy.
It might take hours, but these simulations give us life-saving insights into vehicle safety.
10) It's a trade-off
It's tempting to use fine mesh to capture all the details. But the more refined a mesh, the more elements you have, and more will be the solving time. ⏳This also leads to higher resource usage, making it crucial to find a balance.
👉 The solution is simple: Ensure detail where it's needed but avoid excessive refinement in less critical areas.
11) It's not what you think
While visuals are great for showing results, they’re only the surface. The true power of CAE lies in the complex calculations, physics & analysis behind those visuals.
Let’s make it a habit to think beyond what we see & understand the core of our work. ⚙🔧
And that’s a wrap!
If you found yourself nodding along, congratulations—you’re on the right track. After all, true expertise comes from struggling with stubborn solvers, not from sitting comfortably with a perfect mesh (as if that ever happens).
I hope these posts gave you some useful insights—or at least a laugh. If we’re not connected on LinkedIn yet, go ahead! I share my CAE wisdom (mostly in meme form) every weekend, and trust me, you don’t want to miss out.
Also, if you enjoyed this, you’ll also love My Top 8 Hilarious Posts on LinkedIn -because sometimes, laughter is the best post-processor!
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