Knowledge enabled engineering tool applied to car roof flexibility analyses

Abstract: This report presents a method of quality assurance and rapid design
solutions in vehicle body development. The method is utilized in a
Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) tool that fuse computer aided design
(CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and enables engineers to process
models continuously throughout the initial design process up to final
drawing judgement. The tool allows engineers inexperienced in FE-methods to
assess properties in new designs by automating many of the routine tasks of
FEA. The tool also provide means to automate pre-processing, batch running
of multiple analyses and post-processing, thus making the Finite Element
Analysis process more efficient. In addition, the tool offers a Concurrent
Engineering (CE) approach to the design phase of product development by
extending department co-operations.