Cloud-based design and manufacturing: A new paradigm in digital manufacturing and design innovation

The pressure is on engineers today to design and manufacture faster, quieter, smarter, greener and sturdier vehicles than what we saw with older models. To make this possible, there is a need to utilize large simulation and hence cloud-based computing and HPC clusters have become essential in the industry today.

Cloud- or HPC-cluster-based solutions

Hardware constraints negatively impact simulation effectiveness for almost 75% of users. 40% of the engineers always “cuts corners” due to compute limitation and 35% do this more than half of the time.  60% of our customers are using less than 16 cores parallel processing. The only way to stay ahead of rivals is to rely on digital modelling and simulation tools for product design, analysis and testing with the help of HPC and CAE.

The complexity of simulations calls for high-performance computing (HPC) as they are expected to be processed in a particular timeframe that meets consumer demands. How do you get these products in optimal designs into the market on the desired schedule? Cloud- or HPC-cluster-based solutions is the solution and is today getting extensive acceptance and the automotive industry is no exception to this. 

How Cloud and HPC Clusters Make Development Fast and Agile?

In order to be able to execute product development processes that are faster and agile, product development engineers require a lot of computing power. Engineers can solve several simulations simultaneously with HPC clusters and cloud computing. Comparing a range of operating conditions, configurations and criteria and testing becomes possible with this helping them to rapidly determine a product’s optimal setup thanks to all the derived information. 

Scaling up or down the simulation output and operational budgets quickly is also possible for users since cloud offers variable storage and computational resources. Cloud enables engineers to access the tools they require, when they need them, on a pay-per-use basis. They no longer have to pay for software licenses and HPC hardware. 

Today, access to flexible computational resources is a necessity. The rise of digital technologies including the internet of things (IoT), digital twins and autonomous driving that are all data-heavy and also the variable, unpredictable data loads make it so. The volatility in the market also points us to the fact that product development engineers may not even have the access to the essential software.

The good thing is that by merging computational resources and shifting to the cloud, their IT footprint can also be consolidated. Furthermore, there is no need to install programs on individual computers, software that is previously installed on a central system can be utilised. This also promises engineers universal access to the software.  

Anywhere, anytime access to endless simulation capabilities 

When it comes to engineering simulation, we know how it has long been inhibited by static computing resources like those that are accessible on a desktop or cluster. Though simulation is driving the future of design and manufacturing, the computing power required isn’t always available on premises. Cloud integrates seamlessly with design programs and on-premises hardware. 

With Cloud, engineers get access to on-demand, cloud-based computing resources, including both interactive workstations and HPC clusters, for faster, high-fidelity outcomes and better performance insight. Cloud helps one switch back and forth between the cloud and your own hardware as needed and pay only for what you use. The flexible, cost-effective cloud solution allows product development teams to reduce turnaround time, achieve more accurate results and easily adapt products for new markets and applications.

By removing the hardware barrier, Cloud based design and manufacturing also increases the simulation output. It is a scalable and cost-effective approach to HPC in the cloud.

With cloud, engineers can forget hardware and pay only for what you need. Its flexible, on-demand access and pricing lets you access the most powerful technology available without needing to pay for it when it isn’t in use.

Implementation of Cloud-Based Simulation Solutions

Though the whole cloud-based simulation solutions sound perfect, implementing the same can present some challenges as it traditionally involves designing job scheduling, user interface and storage systems. There could be considerable downtime, productivity loss and expenses if engineers were to implement the cloud themselves. 

Engineers need a turnkey HPC cluster solution that is ready when they need it. The solution is to aid the shifting of simulation jobs off local machines to a central computational resource either on premises or in the cloud. It will also need to reduce the time and cost of implementation. 

Modern design and manufacturing calls for innovation and advanced technology infrastructure as that is the only way to minimize budgets and maximize profit. Cloud-based design and manufacturing is a new paradigm in digital manufacturing and design innovation with faster simulations and speed time to market for customers. The right cloud computing solution makes it possible even for small businesses and start-ups to access high-performance computing and thereby increase their innovation and output.

The benefits of cloud-based simulation are well documented. For large engineering simulations, cloud solutions can provide faster run times with a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than tapping into on-premises resources. A well-designed cloud solution provides the flexibility to match computing resources to simulation needs without requiring engineers to limit model size or complexity. Multiphysics simulations can be run quickly and thoroughly, while maximizing engineer productivity and providing better results.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every company’s cloud-based simulation journey will be different. Ansys is extending the reach of its technology portfolio into the cloud, offering flexible simulation solutions and deployment models for companies at every stage of cloud adoption.

So, maybe it is time to redefine that old expression: Living with our heads in the cloud can still be about dreaming, but we’re making it about dreaming of all the ways Ansys technologies can be used to change the world we live in.

Author:

He works closely with strategic customers across industries and has led many crucial campaigns for Ansys India including ones on customer retention, new and emerging products and the global campaigns on customer success stories and industry best practices. He has also initiated successful campaigns on academic relationships and key account development.

Published in Telematics Wire