This presentation was made at CAASE18, The Conference on Advancing Analysis & Simulation in Engineering. CAASE18 brought together the leading visionaries, developers, and practitioners of CAE-related technologies in an open forum, to share experiences, discuss relevant trends, discover common themes, and explore future issues.

Resource Abstract

The LOTAR International Engineering Analysis and Simulation Working Group (EAS WG) continues its ongoing efforts to communicate with users and software developers about progress towards supporting the need for LOTAR and management of engineering analysis and simulation data.

There are two themes at CAASE18 with topics that are relevant to a discussion of LOTAR of EAS data (modeled on the Open Archival Information System - OAIS), efforts to encourage development of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ISO STEP AP209 ed2 translators and establish best practices for LOTAR and data management.

The actions of the LOTAR EAS WG relate to topics and sub-topics within Theme #2 “Implementing Simulation Governance & Democratization” as they pertain to LOTAR of EAS data and ISO STEP AP209 translators.

Standards for data interchange facilitate the planning of CAE strategy and tactics as part of a simulation governance policy. In addition, it lays the groundwork for collaboration between all disciplines that are engaged in the lifecycle of product development, especially in the context of the “digital thread” that connects them as a system of systems.

This connectivity facilitates many benefits of using well-defined data models to capture input, context and results such as: process and knowledge capture, verification and validation; quality assurance; integration; data management; etc.

It also breaks down barriers to the democratization of analysis and simulation. If sufficient effort is expended to: define analysis and simulation methods to model the physics; input is collected from the best available and appropriate sources; the validity of this collection is verified; and the pedigree of these data are preserved, the resulting outcome facilitates sharing, learning and advancing computer-aided analysis and simulation.

The second theme that the LOTAR EAS WG and related work are aligned with is Theme #4 “Addressing Business Strategies & Challenges.” With well-managed methods, input and results from engineering analysis and simulation comes the ability to manage a valuable resource to assist decision making in support of business strategies.

With facts and data, it becomes possible to quantify the benefit of using computer-aided analysis and simulation. A product that demonstrates superior performance at a marketable cost, that was predicted in advance, using reliable and repeatable processes that can be continuously improved, can change a company’s ability to compete in the global economy.

Facts and data can defeat fear and ignorance that evolve in business cultures after previous attempts at automating or standardizing processes have failed. An open and transparent “digital thread” can unlock potential, moderate risk and improve the bottom line.

If that “digital thread” is built on a system of non-proprietary data interchange standards, the ability to migrate or morph a company’s culture of product development and lifecycle management to fit new and improved processes. Removing barriers to change can make us nimble and able to adapt.
The case will be made that LOTAR of EAS data, use of international standards for data interchange for analysis and simulation data and laying the groundwork for their use in science and engineering will aid in advancing the use of computer-aided analysis and simulation.

1. References
CCSDS 650.0-M-2, “Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS), Recommended Practice, Issue 2,” June 2012
ISO 10303-209:2014, “Industrial automation systems and integration -- Product data representation and exchange -- Part 209: Application protocol: Multidisciplinary analysis and design,” December 2014