With one month to go before the 2019 conference gets underway, we caught up with several of our speakers to understand the challenges facing their specific industries and their potential solutions, including the Digital Twin, methods for data validation, simplified processes, multiphysics modelling, large scale simulation and much more.
Q: What are the main challenges facing the industry at the moment and what are the most common issues you hear from colleagues?
Steffan Evans, Director and Lead FEA Engineer, Evotech Computer-Aided Engineering Ltd: The main issue is in the time it takes and difficulties in using production-level CAE/FEA software. Standard industry toolsets can take weeks to learn, and then months or even years to become proficient.
Prashant Khapane, Head of Advanced Simulation & Measurement Technology, Jaguar Land Rover: There has never been a better time to be a simulation engineer. The tools now are truly capable of solving multi-physics problems and hardware is not such an issue compared to say 10 years ago. However there are many impediments to unlock the true potential of simulation. And before we get on to that let me clarify – many people tend to think simulation = CAE. To me it is both physical simulation as well as virtual. And in some cases hybrid. However because simulation is now widely accepted in the industry, there are multiple tools from the suppliers such as Dassault or Siemens used across the organisations. Throw a few hundred bespoke tools developed in house and you get a perfect storm in terms of process & data management.
All this progress and heterogeneity was meant to create synergies, better engineer the product. In reality is actually causing siloed organisations. Add to it the fact that Simulation community has always been criticised for poor collaboration and most of which is justified. I think lack of Simulation Process & Data Management is one of the biggest challenges industry is facing today.”
Phanikrishna Thota, Landing Gear Modelling and Simulation Specialist, Airbus: From an aerospace perspective having a consistent modelling and simulation strategy that is aptly applicable all domains within a company and its suppliers is a major challenge. This is only exasperated by the diversity of toolchains. One of the most common issues is the lack of awareness of what modelling and simulation is and what it can and cant do.
Mark Enzer, Chief Technical Officer, Mott MacDonald: Quite simply, the consistency and quality of data. These are essential to facilitate interoperability and secure, resilient data sharing across the industry.
Igor Strashny, Manager for Mining Product Hybridization, Electrification and Validation Programs, Caterpillar Global Mining: “In my opinion, the main challenges facing the industry include development of real world representative operating cycles for accurate evaluation of vehicle performance using Simulation and Modelling. Another challenge is potential shortage of the analysts in the future.“
Q: What key topics are you excited to speak about?
Steffan Evans: “I want to talk about how high-end, production-level CAE/FEA software, which is both powerful AND easy to use.”
Prashant Khapane: “I’m quite excited to talk & discuss about digital twin. Is it a reality or a myth? What can we do to make the best of what is on offer currently? How can it be aided by bringing the virtual & physical world together? I hope to do justice to this fascinating, controversial and complex subject.”
Phanikrishna Thota: Model-Based Systems Engineering and its deployment. Distributed co-simulations and model-based certification.
Mark Enzer: Effective information management across the built environment; the Information Management Framework; secure, resilient data sharing across organisational boundaries; the National Digital Twin (an ecosystem of connected digital twins).
Igor Strashny: Use of simulation and modelling to improve machine energy efficiency and the development of the real-world operating cycles to simulate in-use greenhouse gas emissions.
Q: Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme, and why?
Steffan Evans: I’m keen to hear a wide range of topics at the conference – it’s important to keep up to speed with industry developments.
Prashant Khapane: I’m quite keen to listen to Robert Lewis from TotalSim and Adam Brooke from Rolls-Royce. Although I strongly believe in virtual engineering there are still many challenges to fully unlock the potential of digital twin. Validating virtual techniques is of utmost importance and I believe physical test can aid and in many instances complement. Zero prototype is a myth. I’m also keen on round-table discussions; agile/waterfall discussion should be fun. I still know many people who need the comfort blanket of “waterfall” and gantt charts.
Phanikrishna Thota: From the programme I would like to hear from Giovanni Federico Scott Eberhardt and Akin Keskin.
Mark Enzer: All those who are speaking about digital twins. Because it will be fascinating to understand the state of the art in this area.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this seminar?
Steffan Evans: To keep abreast of the latest developments in the exciting world of simulation technology!
Prashant Khapane: I always believe in breaks from routine. That is the only way infuse new ideas and be more productive. If that break happens to be with industry experts and peers from similar engineering companies it is the icing on the obsessively delicious cake. I believe this seminar offers such an opportunity.
Phanikrishna Thota: It’s very important to learn from the experience of others, especially in the regards to using latest methods and tools. I believe this conference would reflect on that aspect very well.
Mark Enzer: To learn and be encouraged.
Igor Strashny: Professional networking opportunities provided by this seminar can help in facilitating exchange of ideas between non-competing fields in the best uses of Simulation and Modelling.
About the conference
Simulation and Modelling 2019 takes place 17-18 September 2019, Birmingham.
The conference will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the latest developments being made with computer aided and virtual engineering. Join us to address the key challenges facing engineers using these tools, including ensuring model validity, assessing uncertainty, multiphysics models, data analysis and democratisation of simulation.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues and peers across multiple sectors, with presentations from engineers at:
- TotalSim
- Rolls Royce Airbus
- Amazon Web Services
- Wood Group
- Caterpillar Global Mining
- EDF-Energy
- Jaguar Land Rover
- AMRC with Boeing.
For full details and to book your place, please visit the event website www.imeche.org/simmod2019.