Simulation Driven Product Development (SDPD) is rapidly eclipsing the traditional forms of product development. Even though it is only a few decades old, the importance is now more glaring than ever before. While many industries are now utilizing this new process, a few are yet to join the train.
This article highlights the benefits of Simulation-Driven Product Development while also familiarizing you with the process itself. But what is product development in the first place?
Product Development Process
Product development is a series of processes that begins from receiving problems that demand solving to delivering a product that meets the need. Although the stages vary with products and industries, they generally involve the following:
- Product conceptualization
- Research
- Design and development
- Prototyping
- Testing
- Certification
- Field trial
- Production
- Maintenance
In the traditional method, these processes are like layers that need sorting out one after another. Moreover, each of them depends on the one before them. As engineering methods keep advancing, the quest to find a more efficient process has given rise to Simulation Driven Product Development.
Understanding Simulation Driven Product Development
Simulation driven product development (SDPD) involves making use of simulation at every stage of the product development process. In other words, every part of the process is entirely computerized.
For SDPD, companies use Computer-Aided Designs (CAD), Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), and 2D Drawing. Others include Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design For Assembly (DFA), and documentation.
In the design and development stage, simulations are invaluable to validate a proposed design. Simulation driven design (SDD) can help guides designers towards finding solutions to problems arising in the earliest time possible.
Among the CAEs often utilized in industrial processes are Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD), manufacturing simulations, and Finite Element Analysis. CFD simulation companies and those offering CFD engineering services now have a more prominent role to play in product development than ever before.
The following are benefits of Simulation Driven Product Development to firms.
1. Overall Cost Reduction
Through Simulation Driven Product Development, there is a reduction of costs at each stage compared to the traditional approach. For instance, in the development of jet engines, companies rendering CFD consulting services provide the necessary CFD services to investigate complex designs and procedures involving fluid flow.
Using CFD simulations, they can substitute testing and prototyping that would have been too expensive to do or even, sometimes impossible.
Also, the mere fact that CFD engineers work in a virtual environment allows them to perform several operations without material needs, thereby preventing a budget hike.
2. Reduce Time to Market
The product development process is a lengthy one comprising seven stages at the very least. Each of these stages is time-consuming, not to mention human factors that would come into play, causing further delays.
The traditional product development process requires asking and proffering answers to numerous questions. The accuracy of the answers to these questions would directly impact the speed of the project development.
CFD Simulation companies, among others, help answer numerous questions at once and in the shortest time possible. Besides, it is more accurate than the process of searching for answers to these questions. Consulting firms rendering CFD services can help designers to have a sufficient grasp of the circumstances.
Hence, the production team can bring out schedules in the shortest time possible, leading to quick market availability of the product.
3. Increased Product Quality
The simulation Driven Product Development can subject design concepts to extreme situations which are not achievable in labs. Through the virtual process of simulations and modelling, the development team can adjust a design to optimize its performance, leading to products with superior qualities.
Firms rendering CFD analysis services come in handy in enabling this advantage.
4. Waste Reduction
Without a doubt, reworks due to wrong designs of components are a significant waste source in the manufacturing industry. The principal cause is often the design engineer’s dearth of needful knowledge to decide on concepts at the commencement phase.
Fortunately, production team engineers now avoid this dilemma by utilizing an iterative simulation-driven product development process. Using CFD engineering simulation technology at an early phase, designers can efficiently evaluate alternative ideas.
Consequently, they discover new paths for the design to optimally meet specifications such as performance, reliability, and sustainability. Several alternatives can be evaluated with simulation before arriving at a detailed design.
5. Supports Team Work
Simulation Driven Product Development makes it possible for several disciplines to work together in product development. This synergy will lead to boost the creativity of the team.
CFD Engineering is now integrated into the other known engineering fields in the product development team, generating better results overall.
6. Aids in Company’ Oversight
Through SDPD, companies get to know more than just their product. Simulations would help them know of the business arms such as supply chains and manufacturing lines. Through this, managers are aware of the companies projected income generation as a result of new products release.
Consulting firms rendering CFD analysis services can help you know whether the product would be a hit or miss.
7. Broadening Knowledge Base
By implementing SDPD, companies with branches across the globe can access the collective intelligence, expertise, and understanding of workers in diverse disciplines worldwide.
The freedom and ease of this process can allow each member of the product team to materialize the proposed product and independently seek alternative forms of achieving the company’s quest.
Conclusion
There is no going back to the adoption of Simulation Driven Product Development. The quick adoption of this method may soonest be the decider between industries that stay ahead in the competition and those that fall behind.
Although upgrading the product development process may be demanding, the gains far outweigh the inconvenience.