Abstract

In recent years, SDM systems have been established as the reference point for CAE, allowing model data and simulation results to be stored in an organized manner and data relationships to be traced. During the evolution of the design, various base modules are updated and stored in the data repository by different teams. This inevitably leads to the need for a unified environment, where individual users can work on different modules of the same CAE model variant simultaneously, in a simple, yet effective manner. Eventually, these updates need to be incorporated in the CAE model so that new simulation iterations are derived by specifying which modules of the base variant should be changed and which should remain unchanged. Having an SDM solution in place, some key questions arise for engineering teams: How can you best make sense and good use of your data? How can you identify the modifications between the different base module versions and the model variants prepared by the various teams? How can you understand their impact on simulation results and make informed decisions at a timely manner? BETA CAE systems, with its advanced CAE pre-processing software for complete model build and its unique data management tools, responds to these questions providing solutions for the effective management of CAE model variants. A workspace that facilitates the modular organization and derivation of CAE model variants is in place, incorporating key model checks in the default variant creation process, to ensure the validity and integrity of the models. The evolution of CAE data and their dependencies can be identified through a Lifecycle Graph, while the modifications between the different versions are tracked in detail by a changeset management mechanism. Powerful comparison tools are available, facilitating the fast and accurate comparison and matching of different model variants, both in terms of their metadata, as well as their contents. Finally, an overview of the model variant is offered, through functionality that generates detailed reports that capture the evolution of the model, the modifications that were introduced and their impact on simulation results.