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Improving Compatibility of Design Data
A standard model for data exchange between specialist analysis and simulation products will increase the efficiency of the design process
The proliferation of design software formats has created problems in the sharing of data and models between different components in the design process. A generic engineering analysis model (GEM) has been developed for the exchange, data sharing and archiving of engineering analysis models. The GEM is general enough to support a range of industrial applications, a variety of design and analysis methodologies, and facilitate the use of analysis results in the design model. The GEM builds on existing tools and standards such as STEP, and is aimed at contributing towards the development of international standards in the definition and transfer of engineering analysis models. The anticipated benefits of this work are being shared as widely as possible with European industry, through dissemination of results, a guide for end-users of the GEM model and awareness seminars to provide insight into the potential of this development. The guide, and a seminar in Amsterdam, are expected in June 1997.
The "Holy Grail" of the fully integrated computer-aided engineering (CAE) system seems as distant as ever. In the meantime, a company's competitiveness in terms of the time needed to get a product on to the market depends heavily on the efficient sharing of data between different design packages. GEM will enable engineering analysis methods such as finite element analysis or computational fluid dynamics to be used more effectively within the design process throughout the product's life. The ultimate result will be an increase in the efficiency of the design process by cutting the need to convert from one format to another between design packages, giving great savings in time and money.
The specification of the GEM was made by first classifying the data types which can be employed in the analysis process and then defining the way which results of analyses can be represented in a general manner for reuse as input to other processes. 
GEM will allow engineering analysis data such as loading and material properties to be associated to the geometry model, independent of the analysis used. It will also allow reuse of results from one analysis by associating them with the geometry model. It makes use of existing tools and standards such as STEP, identifying their limitations in the context of supporting the concept of GEM.
One of the partners, Centro Richerche Fiat, has demonstrated the GEM principles in the design of a fog lamp, using the model to transfer data between CAD and flow analysis packages for the design of injection moulds. Dornier Satellite have also used GEM techniques in the design of optical instruments.
tel +44-1355-272-639 -- fax +44-1355-272-749
www http://www.tno.nl/instit/bouw/project/gem/home.html
Research Area Integration in Manufacturing
Project GEM
Related Results ADVANCE; COMBI; FIRES
Keywords CAD;engineering software data exchange; finite element codes; simulation; STEP technology;
| Project Participants |
|---|
| Caesar Systems Ltd UK |
| Centro Richerche Fiat IT |
| Diodore Systeme FR |
| Dornier Gmbh DE |
| Fegs Ltd UK |
| Femsys Ltd UK |
| Framasoft + Csi FR |
| GFS DE |
| LMR Systems UK |
| Matra Datavision FR |
| Nafems UK |
| TNO Building & Research NL |
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