6 Technologies Driving the Future of Lightweight Engineering
In industries where every millisecond and/or gram counts, there is a persistent need to minimise part weight and maximise stiffness and performance, all while reducing cost and material wastage.
TriMech Enterprise has been supporting lightweight engineering for Motorsport and Aerospace customers by improving the strength of their parts while minimising weight using a selection of the following 6 key technologies:
- Cognitive Augmented Design
- Simulation-driven Design
- Reverse Engineering
- Composites materials
- Hydro-forming
- Stamping Die
6 Key Technologies Driving the Future of Lightweight Engineering
Cognitive Augmented Design
The new CAD. Cognitive Augmented Design is a revolutionary approach to generating and exploring lightweight shapes.
Designers begin with functional specifications such as geometrical context, targeted performance and constraints. Concept shapes are then generated automatically using these specifications. Designers can then validate the structural behaviour of multiple concepts and perform trade-off studies with ease, allowing them to identify the best concept.
Simulation-Driven Design
Simulation-driven design optimizes structures to find the best shape possible by using simulation technology earlier in the design cycle. This empowers the designers with greater knowledge and understanding of their ideas allowing them to apply earlier modifications and improvements.
Reverse Engineering
Reverse Engineering connects the digital and physical worlds by digitalising existing legacy products. A physical scan reconstructs the model at the correct scale. Individual parts and components can then be optimised and reworked to produce a lighter alternative.
Composite Materials
Composite materials are ideal for combating high costs and high carbon emissions. Due to their lightweight structure, composites can increase fuel efficiency and hence reduce a vehicle’s carbon footprint while providing a more durable, structurally sound part with minimal material wastage.
When using composite materials, constraints are taken into account early in the design process for producibility checks, making it possible to define and export a complete and accurate process to the shop floor.
Hydroforming
Hydroforming is a low-cost technology that shapes ductile metals such as aluminium and steel. Our team can support with solutions that provide feature-based modelling making it possible to design sheet metal representations in concurrent engineering.
Stamping Die
The design of stamping die tools can be achieved using formability analysis, operations planning and geometric analysis. This results in high-quality surfaces that are directly used for the Mold and Die manufacturing process.
Discover CATIA Lightweight Engineering
The CATIA Lightweight Engineering package provides designers with the expert capabilities to minimise part weight, maximise stiffness, reduce cost and optimise material usage. To explore how each of these technologies can work in tandem, or individually to support lightweight engineering, watch our on-demand demo.
