Radha Krishnan, President and Founder, Detroit Engineered Products (DEP)
IT Voice : Can you provide an overview of your company’s mission and the specific role CAE plays in helping it to achieve it?
Radha Krishnan : Detroit Engineered Products (DEP) envisions propelling sustainable innovation and accelerating product development, with the goal of making it inclusive for everyone. To bring this vision to life, we’ve established a three-pronged strategy. Firstly, we seek to make CAE and Engineering accessible to all by democratizing them through our software platform, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies are within reach for everyone. Secondly, our primary focus is on continuously generating solutions that foster creativity and drive innovation. Lastly, we prioritize assembling a dedicated and committed team that places the highest emphasis on delivering value to our customers and the broader community. With this comprehensive approach, we are resolute in our commitment to realizing our vision and creating a positive impact on the CAE driven product development landscape.
IT Voice : What significant trends or innovations do you see on the horizon as the CAE industry evolves over time?
Radha Krishnan : As the CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) industry continues to evolve, several significant trends and innovations are on the horizon. One of the most notable trends is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into CAE software, enabling predictive simulations and optimization. The industry is also witnessing a shift towards cloud-based and collaborative CAE platforms, making it easier for teams to work together in real-time from different locations. Additionally, the increasing focus on sustainability and environmental impact is leading to the development of CAE tools that can assess and improve product eco-friendliness. Finally, the emergence of 5G and edge computing technologies will likely enhance the speed and accessibility of CAE simulations, further transforming the industry.
IT Voice : Could you describe some of your company’s key products or solutions in the CAE field, as well as their practical applications?
Radha Krishnan : DEP assists companies during the design phase by leveraging CAE to expedite the design cycle. Virtual product testing proves to be highly cost-effective, sparing customers from the expenses associated with physical assets. Unlike costly physical tests, our unique parametric technology empowers clients to conduct numerous CAE iterations electronically. Consequently, clients can digitally evaluate multiple options before committing to production, ensuring cost efficiency and optimization. Tools like DEP’s proprietary CAE platform, MeshWorks eliminate the need for physical testing, offering optimal solutions and preventing clients from returning to the design cycle if the desired outcome isn’t achieved. Performance calculations provide flexibility for analysis prior to the production stage, or even during the prototype stage, thereby reducing the overall product-to-market cost. Among its most popular features are the highly automated meshing and model assembly tools that reduce CAE model construction time by 40 to 50%. Additionally, it offers a valuable function that allows the conversion of existing FE & CFD models into intelligent parametric CAE models, enabling rapid design iterations and Design of Experiment (DOE) studies. Another sought-after function is the rapid automation of CAE processes, resulting in a 2x to 10x reduction in time
IT Voice : Which industries or sectors benefit the most from CAE solutions, and how does your company tailor its offerings to meet the specific requirements of each?
Radha Krishnan : CAE solutions find extensive application across various industries, with sectors like aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and civil engineering benefiting significantly. In the aerospace industry, CAE software plays a crucial role in optimizing aircraft design, structural analysis, and aerodynamics simulations. Automotive companies use CAE for vehicle crash testing, emissions analysis, and engine design. The manufacturing sector leverages CAE for process optimization, such as injection molding simulations and CNC machining. Civil engineering relies on CAE for structural integrity assessments, urban planning, and environmental impact studies. To meet the specific needs of each sector, DEP MeshWorks has developed specialized modules and toolkits, and we stay updated with the latest technologies. For example, we have developed a module specifically for Electric Vehicles in MeshWorks, called eMOD, which simply put is a collection of specialized tools for modeling all components of an electric vehicle, which may be used for everything from system analysis to component analysis for EVs. This sector-specific customization ensures that CAE solutions align with the precise requirements and challenges of each industry, optimizing their overall performance and usability.
IT Voice : In engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming increasingly important. How does your organisation use these technologies to improve CAE simulations and analyses?
Radha Krishnan : In the initial phases of product design and development, the automation of processes within CAE offers substantial advantages to companies, particularly during the CAE design phase. Many aspects of CAE Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) involve repetitive tasks, and the automation of these activities results in significant time savings for CAE users. Automation can encompass various stages, including pre-processing, model assembly, and post-processing, and it has relevance in diverse industries like automotive, heavy engineering, biomedical, and aerospace. For efficient automation, DEP MeshWorks stands out as a powerful tool, incorporating AI and ML into CAE processes. With its advanced features and pattern recognition capabilities, DEP MeshWorks facilitates extensive automation of these processes and workflows. This not only streamlines CAE operations but also boosts overall productivity, making it an indispensable asset for companies looking to optimize their product development workflows.
