Rapid CAE Analysis from Parametric Solid Model Assemblies of Instrument Panel Structures

During the conceptual design stages of an instrument panel (IP) structure, various alternatives in architecture need to be evaluated. This entails being able to obtain a quick assessment of how the designs roughly compare in structural performance. The current climate of reduced cycle times dictates that quick and inexpensive CAE techniques be employed for this purpose. This paper describes the background of a design process in which Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) models, fully associative with the underlying 3D solid model, are rapidly generated for use in structural vibration, thermal and crash analysis.