MeshWorks links predictive AI/ML models to parametric CAE models: DEP

Detroit Engineered Products (DEP), an engineering solutions and product development company has a 25 year-old legacy. DEP is now a global company with eight offices globally, and footprints in Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Canada, and India.

 

DEP is now into computer-aided engineering (CAE) software for businesses. CAE software has emerged as a vital tool, revolutionizing product design, innovation, and optimization. This game-changing technology empowers companies to simulate and visualize complex scenarios, predict outcomes, and make informed decisions while saving time and resources.

Radha Krishnan, President and Founder, Detroit Engineered Products (DEP), tells us more. Excerpts from an interview: 

DQ: Can you provide an overview of your company's core CAE solutions, and how they have evolved over the past few years?

Radha Krishnan: At DEP, our core CAE solutions are integral to various industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and medical instrumentation. DEP specializes in advanced CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) solutions, leveraging our proprietary platform, DEP MeshWorks, to deliver comprehensive simulation and computational engineering services.

Our core offerings include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD), and advanced optimization, critical for industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and medical instrumentation. 

In recent years, our CAE solutions have undergone significant advancements. We've integrated state-of-the-art algorithms and enhanced computational power to deliver more precise simulations and better design optimization. This evolution addresses critical performance parameters like stress durability and fatigue, supporting robust and innovative product designs. 

Our services now span global markets, driving productivity and cost-effectiveness in design processes. DEP MeshWorks has particularly transformed our approach, eliminating the need for physical testing and reducing design cycle iterations.

Its highly automated meshing and model assembly tools cut CAE model building time by 40-50%, while automated CAE processes result in up to a 10x reduction in time. These advancements have positioned DEP as a leader in delivering high-performance, cost-effective CAE solutions tailored to evolving industry demands.

DQ: Can you describe the typical customer or industry that uses your products or services?

Radha Krishnan: Our company verticals range from engineering services, product development, software development, and talent acquisition. We have clients in various industries across the globe in sectors of aerospace, automotive, construction equipment, electronics, consumer goods, oil and gas and medical instrument industries. 

Our CAE services, combined with our proprietary CAE platform, DEP MeshWorks, are tailored to deliver thorough simulation and computational engineering solutions, guaranteeing top-notch product quality, while simultaneously lowering costs and shortening development timelines. 

For instance, aerospace manufacturers use our services for complex simulations of fluid dynamics and structural integrity, ensuring high-performance and safety in aircraft design. In the automotive sector, we assist companies in optimizing vehicle performance and durability through detailed stress and fatigue analysis, enhancing safety and reliability. 

The construction equipment industry relies on our CAE solutions to design robust machinery capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions, while medical instrument manufacturers utilize our technology to innovate and refine medical devices with precision. 

Additionally, our services are extensively used in emerging fields such as autonomous vehicles and advanced consumer technologies. The entertainment industry also benefits from our CAE expertise for realistic simulations and design enhancements in virtual environments. Our CAE services support businesses in meeting their design goals, improving productivity, and staying competitive in rapidly evolving markets. 

DQ: How is AI integrated into your CAE software solutions, and what specific AI-driven features have you recently introduced?

Radha Krishnan: At DEP, our CAE platform, DEP MeshWorks, leverages advanced AI/ML technology to enhance simulation accuracy and design efficiency. Our AI integration is foundational to MeshWorks, distinguishing it from other CAE tools. 

The core of this integration lies in our sophisticated AI/ML framework, which encompasses a diverse array of algorithms and models. This includes convolutional neural networks (CNNs), deep neural networks (DNNs), approximation models, and response surface models, all of which are continuously trained and adapted based on customer-specific data. 

A key feature of MeshWorks is its ability to link predictive AI/ML models directly to parametric CAE models. For instance, the software connects geometric parameters—such as the cross-section of an automotive rail—to output responses like crash pulses. This linkage is not just a technical achievement but a practical tool for users. 

MeshWorks enables the creation of Design Advisor applications that offer an instant visual representation of how geometric modifications influence predicted performance outcomes. Our AI framework also supports sensitivity and optimization studies, further enhancing its utility in early-stage product development. This capability allows users to evaluate how different design variables affect performance metrics, thereby facilitating more informed decision-making.

One of MeshWorks' unique strengths is its ability to generate multi-sample data even for users with limited in-house data. By applying the right AI/ML models to the appropriate responses, we significantly boost the predictive accuracy of design advisors. This not only accelerates the design process but also ensures that in-house expertise is effectively captured and utilized.

In summary, the integration of AI into MeshWorks transforms traditional CAE processes by providing advanced, adaptive modeling capabilities, visual design insights, and robust data generation features. This enhances our users' ability to innovate and optimize their designs with greater precision and efficiency.

DQ: What advancements in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) are being used in CAE processes?

Radha Krishnan: Advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are significantly enhancing CAE processes by offering immersive and interactive capabilities. In CAE, VR allows engineers to visualize complex simulations in a fully immersive 3D environment, enabling them to explore and interact with models as if they were physical objects. This immersive experience helps in identifying design flaws and optimizing performance by providing a clearer understanding of spatial relationships and interactions within the model.

AR, on the other hand, overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing the physical workspace with virtual data. In CAE, AR can display simulation results or design parameters directly on physical prototypes or models, facilitating real-time analysis and decision-making. This capability aids in rapid prototyping and iterative design by allowing engineers to see how digital simulations align with physical objects.

Both, VR and AR advancements, enable more intuitive and effective communication of complex data, streamline the design process, and improve collaboration among teams by providing a shared visual context. These technologies are transforming CAE by bridging the gap between digital simulations and physical reality, leading to more efficient and accurate engineering solutions.

DQ: How do you ensure data security and compliance within your CAE solutions, especially considering the integration of AI?

Radha Krishnan: At DEP, we prioritize data security and privacy with the utmost seriousness, especially in the realm of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) where handling sensitive client information is critical. Our approach involves implementing a suite of stringent measures to safeguard data. 

We ensure that all sensitive data is encrypted both during transmission and while stored, utilizing robust encryption algorithms and secure storage solutions with strict access controls. Access to data is tightly regulated, limited to authorized personnel based on their roles and responsibilities. We use secure transmission protocols to protect information exchanged between clients and servers from unauthorized interception. 

Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are conducted to identify and rectify potential system weaknesses. Employee training on data security best practices is conducted regularly, supported by clear guidelines for managing client data. We have also developed a comprehensive data breach response plan to quickly address any security incidents, minimizing potential damage. 

Additionally, we adhere to relevant data protection regulations, including GDPR and other regional privacy laws, to ensure full compliance and protection of client information.

DQ: How do you plan to address the challenges associated with rapid technological advancements and evolving industry standards?

Radha Krishnan: Addressing the challenges of rapid technological advancements and evolving industry standards is essential to maintaining our leadership in the field. To navigate these challenges, we prioritize continuous innovation by investing heavily in R&D, ensuring that our solutions integrate the latest technologies and methodologies. 

We foster a culture of agility within our teams, empowering them to quickly adapt to new tools and processes. This flexibility is crucial for staying ahead in a fast-paced environment. 

Additionally, we stay closely aligned with industry standards by actively participating in industry forums and collaborating with regulatory bodies to ensure our products meet current and future requirements. Our compliance team diligently monitors changes in regulations to keep our solutions up-to-date. 

We also emphasize client feedback, using insights from our customers to refine our offerings and address their evolving needs. By combining these strategies—innovation, agility, adherence to standards, and client focus—we are well-positioned to effectively manage the complexities of technological advancements and industry shifts, ensuring we continue to provide cutting-edge and reliable CAE solutions.