This paper on "Future Issues - A Code Developer's Perspective" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Summary

We see three major issues facing developers of MCAE software. (1) Conventional FEA technology is maturing, resulting in high]y competitive markets, weak software prices and reduced profit margins. (2) This makes our industry vulnerable to technology paradigm shifts. in which new technologies promising better product performance replace older technologies. Potential shifts include adaptive analysis, automated optimization and the rise of interoperable component architecture. (3) Major manufacturers want to move analysis upstream in the design process in order to reduce design costs and time-to-market. In order to satisfy the needs of design engineers, FEA must be automated and integrated with CAD. Automation of meshing, adaptive error control, model abstraction and model optimization are key issues.