Advances in simulation deliver better engines

Engine developers need to deliver cleaner engines that burn less fuel, are more durable, and quieter. If that was not enough, competitive pressures are forcing them into shorter time lines and reduced budgets. Engine developers may have no other opportunity to reduce cost and risk than use more CAE simulations.

“One of the drivers to use more simulation is clearly time pressure,” explained Dean Tomazic Vice President, Light-Duty Engines for FEV, in an interview with AEI. Product development cycles are perhaps twice as fast as they were just 10 years ago. Testing hardware is expensive as well. Today, using advanced engine CAE means exploring many alternatives quickly and inexpensively before committing funds to build just a few prototypes. “Simulation helps engineers get to their target engine much faster,” explained Tomazic, if you can trust the process.