Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: thedoc on 05/07/2013 14:10:01

Title: How can we model complex components?
Post by: thedoc on 05/07/2013 14:10:01

With modern computers becoming ever more powerful, they have become an indispensable tool for the design of engineering components.  Together with a catalogue of experimental data and a detailed understanding of material behaviour, computers can be used to predict the behaviour of critical jet engine components at extreme conditions helping to make modern jet engines safer and more efficient...

Read the article (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/how-to-design-components-that-last/) then tell us what you think...

Title: Re: How can we model complex components?
Post by: Nicolas.Richards1982 on 08/07/2013 14:26:43

Interesting article - thank you.

I believe that we're currently experiencing an industrial renaissance in the US (Source: http://knowledge.insead.edu/economics-politics/the-road-to-economic-recovery-clearing-skies-bumps-ahead-2540). Driven by relatively cheap gas prices and new technological inventions, US industries are making big steps at the moment. According to OECD figures, US industries are finally becoming more competitive and we're seeing higher degrees of productivity.

In the factories themselves, we're observing a focus on automated and software based solutions. Huge manufactures, such as Siemens or GE have already adapted their portfolios to this development: (Source: http://www.usa.siemens.com/industrial-productivity/industrial-productivity.html#industrial-automation)

It's going to be highly crucial to now train our future workforce as well. Students need to understand the new requirements and gain an understanding of software based process and computer applications. Therefore, I'd suggest making ICT compulsory at all high schools. Engineering courses, at University level, must enable future engineers to combine traditional and computerized procedures. At the Hannover trade show, the "digital factory" was a big thing (Source: http://www.hannovermesse.de/en/about-the-trade-show/news/tradeshows-lineup/digital-factory) and I guess that's what a variety of factories will turn into in the next years.