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Engineering

Engineering Simulation Services: CAE, Fluid Dynamics, and FEA

Engineering simulation services from CAD/CAM Services are a quick way to validate your design before you fabricate your first unit. Companies across America turn to our professional team to get the most out of their 3D models before any more time or money is spent.

Our CAE, fluid dynamics, and FEA offerings are especially popular in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries. In all of these applications, a high-quality engineering simulation can save countless time and money on the machine shop floor, by validating and potentially tweaking a design before manufacturing drawings are made.

As you might know, simulations can be really difficult to successfully run, and even harder to correctly set up so you get correct results. We take a lot of pride in our team’s ability to generate high-quality sims that accurately represent how your part will react in real life. These are all digital simulations that can be done with your CAD model, without any manufacturing required.

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What Are Engineering Simulation Services? 

Engineering simulation is a method of testing your 3D CAD model or part digitally. It’s a non-destructive test that provides valuable feedback about your part. You can learn more about thermal, stress, dynamic shocks, static loading, and fluid flow reactions between your part and the real world.

Since these are simulations, they’re done by an engineer on a computer in our office. Engineering simulations require very specific inputs and parameter adjustments to make sure the end results closely emulate the real world. With bad data in, your simulation results will give you a false sense of security.

To put it simply, a simulation is a way for our computer to represent what would happen if you manufactured your part and put it through a physical test. If we simulate an FEA that applies 1,000 pounds of force to your I-beam, our computers are simulating what would happen if you took a physical I-beam of the same dimensions, and applied 1,000 pounds of force in real life.

It’s worth noting that “simulation” is really a catch-all phrase. After a conversation with our team, we’ll help you understand which specific simulations you need, and we’ll run them for you. 

What types of simulations are there? At CAD/CAM Services, we offer most of the common simulations:

  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Simulation Services 
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Services
  • Discrete Element Method (DEM) Simulations
  • Testing Simulated Products
  • Fiber-Based Material Simulations
  • Geometric Optimization and Design Iteration
  • Aero and Hydrodynamics Analysis

Why Engineering Simulation Services Matter

Our engineers at CAD/CAM Services have run thousands of engineering simulations for various companies in multiple different industries. We quickly realized that our engineering simulation services are one of the quickest, most efficient, and most reliable ways to save time and money on your parts.

The parts don’t need to be complicated, either. A simple loading simulation on a support bracket could save your design. Maybe 3/16” thick aluminum will fail under your specific load criteria, but you wouldn’t know that without a simulation. Without a simulation, you would install the bracket, then your structure would fail. That would lead to a lot of money and time lost, plus a huge safety issue.

With our professional engineering simulation services, you can outsource this work and learn more about your parts before fabrication starts. We will provide full results to you, and we can also suggest simple changes to help you get better results. Alternatively, you can hire us to run the simulation and tweak the design ourselves to optimize each part.

Just like that, you know that your bracket needs to be thicker without going through all the headaches of real-world testing.

Keep in mind, this goes far beyond hand calculations on the back of an envelope. Our simulated environments are incredibly complex and involve more data than you can imagine. 

A low-quality engineering simulation firm will cut corners and take inappropriate shortcuts. Other times, their team won’t be qualified enough to run realistic simulations, giving you data that’s not representative of what will happen in the real world.

In any of these cases, you will waste your time and money with a company that can’t provide the right simulation data.

At CAD/CAM Services, our team has run too many simulations to count. We have experts in this field who will generate your simulation in order to get the best possible results. With our help, you can avoid massive headaches when it comes to manufacturing parts — regardless of how small or large they are.

Benefits of Engineering Simulation Services from CAD/CAM Services

A well-run engineering simulation can work wonders for your catalog of 3D CAD models. Specifically, choosing CAD/CAM Services for your engineering simulation services can provide:

  • A better mechanical understanding of your parts. A simple FEA, for instance, will tell you the physical limitations of your parts. You’ll know how much force your part can take before breaking, and how much it will bend until that point. This understanding can transform how you design parts.
  • Full-scale test results without a physical part. Without engineering simulations, there is no way to provide realistic test results without making your part and testing it in a lab.
  • The ability to fine-tune your design. Use our test results to optimize the size, shape, and material of your parts. This is a great way to minimize manufacturing costs while optimizing different material properties.
  • Confidence in every part you make. You can think of our engineering simulations as a “stamp of approval” for your parts. If the results say that your supportive structure has a factor of safety over 3.0, then you can have a lot more confidence in each part.
  • Faster results at a lower cost. Choosing CAD/CAM Services is a great way to get you great simulation results in shorter turnarounds and often lower costs, especially as compared to you running these sims in-house.

What Goes into Engineering Simulation Services from CAD/CAM Services?

Our engineering simulation services depend on what your application is. We offer a wide range of simulations, spanning multiple industries and applications. 

Our fluid dynamics will tell you more about how liquids and gasses travel across and interact with your part. It’s an imperative part of aeronautic and vehicle design.

Electronic analyses help you understand how your single circuit or entire communications system will act in the real world.

Utilize our systems analysis if you have a complicated system that needs to be tested. This type of simulation service can include a number of different sims. 

Multiphysics analyses are the best option for anyone looking to gain a deep understanding of how fluid forces, structural integrity, and thermal effects play a part on your component. 

Our additional finite element analysis (FEA) simulation services, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) services, discrete element method (DEM) simulations, and product testing simulations will fill all of the additional gaps. 

In short, we provide a full spectrum of simulation tests. After a quick consultation, our team will gain a better understanding of your application so we can suggest the right group of tests for you.

More About Engineering Simulation Services

It’s worth mentioning that most of the engineering simulations that we run are not available to the everyday consumer. Some of our simulation packages require incredibly powerful computers and expensive simulation software (some of which are tens of thousands of dollars). With that said, most of these simulations aren’t viable to run on your own, and they aren’t offered by a lot of other outsourced CAD companies.

The only reason why CAD/CAM Services has access to these powerful machines and software is to better help your company. Our goal is to give you a perfect insight into your parts before fabrication starts, because we know that’s the best way to save you money and time on each project.

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Our engineering simulation services will give you valuable insight into your parts. You’ll learn more about your components before you physically make any of them. With a better understanding of your parts library, you have more control over your business.

To get the most out of your 3D CAD models, trust our professionals at CAD/CAM Services. Reach out to us for a free consultation and quote, and take advantage of our high-quality outsourced engineering simulation services today.

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FAQ’s

Finite Element Analysis FAQs

What do you need to make an accurate simulation?

The more information we have, the more accurate the simulation results will be. It also depends on what type of simulation you want to run. For a simple FEA, we can run an accurate simulation with just a 3D CAD model and loading/force/pressure information that you want to simulate.

Don’t have a 3D model? Not a problem, our team can make one for you from scratch, and then run an FEA on it.

For a more detailed answer, a well-run FEA will need:

Material properties: What material is the part made out of? We can run different FEAs with different materials to help you pick the right one.

Loading conditions: The size, location, and type of load you want to simulate.

Bonding condition: How is the part held in place? Is it bolted, welded, or just sitting on a tabletop?

A 3D model

For other simulations: Please provide us with all thermal, dynamic, aero, and/or fluid flow information. Feel free to call us and we’ll walk you through what we need.

What is the purpose of FEA?

A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a form of non-destructive testing (NDT) that shows how your part reacts to real-world loading events. A common example is running an FEA on a support bracket. The FEA will give results showing how much the bracket deflects, how much reactive force is seen, and the kind of internal stresses the bracket experiences.

FEA results will change dramatically based on the position and angle of the load, how much force is applied, the material properties of the part, and the design of the part itself.

An FEA is used to optimize a part before manufacturing begins. It allows you to find weak points within your part or assembly, and it will predict a failure before you physically make anything. This gives you an opportunity to fine-tune each part to optimize its size, strength, and cost before you start producing it.

Do you handle other engineering simulations?

Yes, our team has license access to all of the major simulations on the market. Currently, we offer:

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Simulation Services

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Services

• Discrete Element Method (DEM) Simulations

• Testing Simulated Products

• Fiber-Based Material Simulations

• Geometric Optimization and Design Iteration

• Aero and Hydrodynamics Analysis

How long does an FEA take?

On our advanced computers, an FEA can be run in a matter of minutes. For incredibly detailed or complex FEAs, it might take a few hours or even overnight. Not to worry, we have dedicated workstations that just run FEAs 24/7, so you won’t have to wait long for the results.

How do I know if I need an FEA on my part?

Generally, an FEA is a good idea for any new part that you’re going to make. The FEA tells you whether or not your design is optimized, and it points out your part’s weak points (physically, not metaphorically). For structural or load-bearing parts, FEAs are often required by your industry standards. For any one-off parts or custom pieces, an FEA can keep your operation safer.

Consult with our expert engineers to get a better understanding of whether or not your part needs an FEA, and let CAD/CAM Services handle the full project for you.

Does an FEA actually help?

In our experience, FEAs are invaluable. Spending a few hours running a simulated FEA in the background can save you weeks of your time, thousands of dollars, and countless headaches. One time, we ran an FEA for a client and found that their base platform needed to be an extra 1/4” thick, or else it would have collapsed under the weight of the machinery and people. Without an FEA, the platform was likely to fail in real life, and risk people’s lives — but it was completely avoided with just a simple FEA. In this case, the original designer changed the thickness of their platform in CAD, created manufacturing drawings, and then sent the plans out for fabrication: a change that took a day of effort.

An FEA can:

• Save you time

• Save on manufacturing costs

• Help you to avoid common design issues

• Optimize your part so you don’t overpay for manufacturing

• Keep your people safe

• Maximize power and fuel-efficiency

• Minimize drag

• Avoid thermal or physical failure

• Understand cyclic loading results

• Find the failure point of your designs

• Fine-tune your material selection

• Learn the physical limitations of each part

• Establish confidence in each design

• Be shared with stakeholders and investors to secure funding and buy-in

General CAD Questions

I need my project done today or tomorrow. Can you process rush jobs?

Depending upon when you catch us, yes, we can handle rush jobs. We often work over the holidays, Thanksgiving and even Christmas holidays. If you have a deadline – call us.

For years we have run three shifts of about 30 drafting folks per shift – allowing us to deliver work 3x faster, and seven days a week. Yes, we work 24/7, so you do not have to. The fun never stops here.

For 3D scanning, this is a different question. Because of the common setup work required, at best expect a 48-72 hour turn to be scanned. CAD or simulation services are in addition to that.

Who is affected by the PPD-21 directive?

The Department of Homeland Security has identified 16 different infostructures:

  1. Chemical Sector,
  2. Commercial Facilities Sector,
  3. Communications Sector,
  4. Critical Manufacturing Sector,
  5. Dams Sector,
  6. Defense Industrial Base Sector,
  7. Emergency Services Sector,
  8. Energy Sector,
  9. Financial Services Sector,
  10. Food and Agriculture Sector,
  11. Government Facilities Sector,
  12. Healthcare and Public Health Sector,
  13. Information Technology Sector,
  14. Nuclear Reactors Materials and Waste Sector,
  15. Transportation Systems Sector,
  16. Water and Wastewater Systems Sector.

This is both Government and private sectors.

If you are in any of these industries, this directive is important to you for many reasons.  Do you know where your critical sections are? Are they well protected? Are there concerns for Hazmat, security clearance requirements, and other concerns?  Can you quickly rebuild what might be lost?

The important part of this means that critical infrastructure must be secure and able to withstand and rapidly recover from all hazards. Achieving this will require integration with the national preparedness system across prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Further details can be found at:  Government PPD-21

DHS – The National Infrastructure Protection Plan details:  The National Infrastructure Protection Plan

Industry specific plans:  2015 Industry specific PPD-21 plans

CAD / CAM Services provides PPD-21 for the following industries:  DHS – CAD / CAM Services

What is the PPD-21 Protocall?

The Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) is a Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience United States directive that aims to strengthen and secure the country’s critical infrastructure.The goal of this directive is to reduce vulnerabilities, identify and disrupt threats, minimize consequences and hasten response and recovery efforts related to critical infrastructure.

The directive defines resilience as the ability to prepare for and adapt to ever changing conditions, terrorists, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Resilience includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents.

Do you support the PPD-21 Directive?

Yes we do, and have now for several years. In addition, we also support the industry specific plans as well.

Did you really own the trademark Cad Perfect™, Cad Perfect CAD Conversions™ and Cad / Cam Services™?

Yes, we did back in 2008. We started using Cad Perfect™ back in the early 1990s because all of our customers wanted only real Cad Perfect™ work. Back then the buzz words were terms like machine ready, or DXF Traceover and others.

The problem is, nobody wanted that. They all wanted drawings and models that they did not have to touch. Everybody wanted drawings just as if they hand redrew the work themselves.

Thus, Cad / Cam Services™ was the first company to start offering ONLY Cad Perfect™ work.

What is the estimated delivery time?

It depends on the scope of work:

  • 2D drawings – small quantity, normally 48 hours.  We have several customers where they contract to us, keeping 4-8 drafters busy full time.
  • 3D models – complexity dependent, but smaller jobs in 2-3 days. Some models we have spent months on.  Again, we have several customers where they contract to us, keeping 6-10 3D CAD designers busy full time.

Simple jobs have a lead time of 48 hours. Larger projects are delivered and invoiced weekly.

Will CAD / CAM Services Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?

Yes. NDAs are a common part of our business. All data is yours – not ours, and treated as proprietary data and not for public consumption or use. Probably 70% of our work is under NDA agreements. We can generally get these signed within the day.

How do I send a sample, in order to get a quote?

Fill out our quote form, attach your files, or simply send us an email. Tell everything about your project, like the model purpose.

For smaller files < 15 MB you can simply email them to us.  For something larger, just drop them in any number of drop boxes like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and others.  Or if you would like, just contact us for a private, hardened link.

It is fine to use most any time of compression such as  *.zip, *.rar, *.tar, *.7z, *.arc, *.LBR, and even *.iso images.

A direct email is [email protected]

We also use a hardened OwnCloud web file sharing platform for unlimited file transfers. We provide unique and very private Web Storage Portals, this also supports file syncing for extreme convenience for you. Because so much of our work is DOD or weapons design work, Security – and confidentiality is very important to us.