Bridging the gaps in electronic systems design Blog series | The key to unlocking innovation – Part 3
Did you know that companies using simulation to explore design ideas report 74% better products and 50% faster innovation? In a world where electronic systems are becoming increasingly complex and time-to-market pressures are mounting, these statistics cannot be ignored.
In our previous blog posts, we explored the challenges faced by electronics companies and the importance of seamless ECAD-MCAD collaboration. Now, it’s time to dive into the critical role of simulation in optimizing electronic systems and driving innovation.
Why simulation matters
As an engineer, you know firsthand the challenges of designing high-performance electronic systems. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, the risk of design flaws and performance issues grows exponentially. Waiting until the physical prototyping stage to identify and address these problems can lead to costly redesigns, delays, and even product failures. This is where simulation comes in.
By leveraging advanced simulation tools, engineers can predict and optimize the performance of electronic systems early in the design process. From thermal management and structural integrity to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), simulation allows you to identify and mitigate potential issues before they become real-world problems.
Simcenter: Your key to comprehensive simulation
Imagine having a comprehensive suite of simulation tools at your fingertips, seamlessly integrated with your MCAD and ECAD environment. That’s precisely what Simcenter, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, offers.
With Simcenter, you can:
- Perform thermal analysis to ensure optimal heat dissipation and prevent component overheating.
- Conduct structural simulations to evaluate the mechanical integrity of your designs under various loading conditions.
- Analyze electromagnetic performance to minimize EMI/EMC issues and ensure regulatory compliance.
[Image: Simulation results of an electronics system]
By leveraging these powerful simulation capabilities, engineers can gain deep insights into the performance of their designs and make informed decisions to optimize product quality and reliability.
Embedding CFD and FEA in the design process
One of the key advantages of Simcenter is its ability to embed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) directly into the design process. This means that engineers can perform detailed thermal and structural simulations without leaving their familiar MCAD environment, such as NX. In the words of one mechanical engineer,
For a structural analysis, I would have to export my geometry from CAD software and then spend a bunch of time defeaturing and editing the design model to prepare it for the analysis. Following that, in order to do a thermal analysis in a different application, I’d have to repeat a similar process. There was a lot of manual labor spent on those model changes, so we think we’re going to save significant time using the Siemens tools.”
Professional mechanical engineer working with Siemens tools.
By streamlining the simulation process and eliminating the need for time-consuming data translation and model preparation, Simcenter enables engineers to perform more simulations earlier in the design cycle. This not only helps identify and address issues faster but also reduces the reliance on physical testing.
The benefits of early and frequent simulation
Embracing simulation early and often in the design process can yield significant benefits for electronics companies. Research by Tech-Clarity reveals that companies using simulation to explore design ideas report:
- 74% better products
- 66% earlier insights
- 50% faster innovation
- 36% higher ROI on development investments
- 29% greater productivity
These compelling statistics underscore the transformative power of simulation in driving innovation, improving product quality, and accelerating time-to-market.
Embrace the future of electronic systems design
As the complexity of electronic systems continues to grow, traditional design approaches are no longer sufficient. To stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative, high-quality products, embracing simulation is not just an option – it’s a necessity.
By leveraging the power of Simcenter and embedding CFD and FEA in the design process, electronics companies can unlock new levels of performance, reliability, and efficiency. So, if you’re still relying on physical testing alone, it’s time to ask yourself: are you ready to embrace the future of electronic systems design?
In our final blog post, we’ll explore how the digital thread extends to manufacturing, ensuring data consistency and traceability across the entire product lifecycle. Don’t miss out on this crucial aspect of electronic systems design!
