These professionals focus on the engineering design process in one or more engineering fields, such as: civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, textile, aerospace, nuclear, manufacturing, systems, and structural, not to mention design disciplines like human-computer interaction. Design engineers are usually involved with products and systems that deal with adapting and utilising scientific and mathematical methods, for the purposes of developing societal solutions.
Design engineers identify advanced design problems, perform root-cause failure analyses, and strive to predict production mishaps. These individuals then develop novel designs, conduct evaluations, perform tests, and impose solutions to meet timing, product cost, and reliability targets. Design engineering would encompass other related fields too, like computer-aided engineering (CAE), where they would specifically make use of Computer-aided Design (CAD) applications. Design engineering also crosses over into other engineering spheres, where computers are employed, in one way or other.
Computer-aided Engineering (CAE)
A CAE designer utilises software tools like AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit, to produce graphics, which simulate performance, among others, to improve product design, or solve engineering quandaries across industries. This design process usually includes: simulation, validation, and optimisation of products, processes, and manufacturing tools.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
A division of fluid mechanics that utilises algorithms and numerical analysis to solve physics problems, that concern fluid flows. Computers are utilised to perform the calculations needed to simulate how liquids and gases interact on different surfaces. Typical use cases would involve the industry sectors of: aerospace, defence, and mining.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
This method is popular for numerically solving differential equations in engineering and mathematical modelling, using computers. In the workplace, one can expect to make use of FEA in the areas of: structural analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow, mass transport, and electromagnetic potential.
Discrete Element Modelling (DEM)
Computer modelling is again used in this first principle-based technique, to simulate particle dynamics in powder systems, using the laws of physics in terms of motion and contact, based on discrete particle physics. A first principle, from the standpoint of science, by definition, is “a basic proposition, or assumption, that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption”, in other words, think like a scientist by not making assumptions. Thereby, from the view of physics, a calculation is said to be from first principles, if it doesn’t make statistical assumptions.
3D Site Scanning
Otherwise known as High-definition Surveying (HDS), or laser scanning, this modern-day method is used for capturing 3D images of a project site and is far more advanced than traditional photography and video. Other advantages of laser scanning is that it optimises efficiency, by providing a shorter turnaround on projects while reducing labor costs at the same time. Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is the digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of locations, is an offshoot of this technique, along with the use of other contemporary technologies such as drones, and Global Positioning System (GPS).
It’s been reported that the global 3D scanning market is set to grow above $8 billion by 2025, with most of the growth derived from the industrial manufacturing sector. It’s known that 3D laser scanning is even able to reduce 5-7% of project costs, with industrial projects seeing as much as a 10% reduction.
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