NAFEMS: in support of virtual prototyping andsimulation world

摘要

In the past, analysis was strictly the domain of the expert or specialist, often with complete departments in larger companies dedicated to the function. Today low cost computing power and a wide range of analysis tools are readily available to the engineer. Facilities such as CADgeometry transfer, automatic 'meshing', in-built error checking, adaptive refinement and optimizationtools, means that products have become much easier to use. This has led to significant amounts ofanalysis carried out by engineers throughout the product design cycle and to the rapid uptake ofanalysis technology by smaller companies. In particular, the multi-partnered collaborative designoptimization approach offers a method to achieve market dominance. At the same time, companies arewishing to reduce testing and rely, to an ever-greater extent, on the results of engineering analysis asthe means of performance verification. All of this places a high level of responsibility on the engineeror analyst. It is widely recognized that in order to maintain a skilled workforce and to secure competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving marketplace, the continual investment in training must take place. Many companies have empowered their employees with a responsibility to obtain suitable in-the-workplace knowledge. Specific aim of NAFEMS consists on promoting knowledge and diffusion of simulation computational codes normally based on the finite element method and related technology. The activities carried out by NAFEMS and NAFEMS Italia are described, the author of the paper being in charge as member and manager of these two associations, respectively.