b'Simcenter | Engineer InnovationWithin the last few years, aThere is a way forward, it requires a convergence of various technologiesmind-set to embrace the concept of is transforming engineered productsdigital twins. in many different industries. What are these trends? You will know them wellChallenging the way engineering if you are involved in any capacityis done with bringing new products to marketThese trends mean there are far more that require significant engineeringunknowns in the engineering process developmentcars, planes,that manufacturers must face. This machinery and medical devices toleads to longer lead times and greater name just a few. Consider therisks that they will not achieve the potential of new materials toproduct and business objectives. transform the relationships betweenCompanies that fail to recognize and form and function, newreact to these changes risk losing manufacturing processes that make itbusiness and market share. So, how possible to produce shapes that werecan companies respond to these new never before possible, the integrationchallenges? of software and electronics to improve performance, and theWhat if a company could adopt new opportunities that Internet of Thingspractices and tools to give it a (IoT) data can afford to satisfycompetitive edge? Today engineering customer needs in new ways. Apartdata and models are scattered in from these, there are the trends fordifferent silos. While most companies mass personalization, greater demandhave activities and groups that are for fuel efficiency, and moreperforming tests, generating regulations including the mandate tobenchmark data, running 1D reduce emissions. simulations, and performing computer-aided engineering (CAE) The net result of all these is anwork, there is no ability to easily draw increase in complexity of bothconclusions across the silos. The test products and the processes that areengineers may not even be aware that used to engineer them. Thea 1D simulation has been performed. challenges resulting from thisThe CAE department may not have increased complexity are significant.access to the latest benchmark data. Long-standing companies with richWhat if they can use all the data histories of innovation in one areaacross multiple engineering activities may struggle to leverage theirand convert this into meaningful experience in emerging fields. Will ainsights that can drive product company that knows how to builddecisions faster than the competition?mechanical locks lead the way to internet-connected devices that canWhen all these different silos of be locked and unlocked from amodels and data are linked together, smartphone? Or will they watchthere is the possibility of more helplessly as new companies takerealistic models that can be used to away market share? How will theypredict behavior. Data from one integrate their experience on themodel may be used as input to a mechanical side with newly acquireddifferent model that is built later in knowledge on sensors, electricalthe process. The models themselves actuators and internet connectivity tocan mature over time; they can even bring new products to market fasterbe kept up-to-date with actual usage than start-ups? If a company is notdata obtained through IoT-enabled thinking of these types of questions,products. In addition, a layer for it will surely be left behind in just aanalytics that leverages data from a few short years.variety of sources can help uncover trends and insights earlier.5'