Engineering has evolved significantly from manual calculations to AI-driven simulation environments, transforming the field of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE).
Historically, human-computers at organizations like NASA calculated trajectories and mission-critical data manually, showcasing the importance of human intellect in early engineering efforts.
Introduction of formal numerical methods like the Finite Element Method (FEM) and computing machines automated complex calculations, leading to the development of CAE.
NASA's NASTRAN in the mid-1960s was a pivotal engineering software system running on mainframes, heralding a significant leap for CAE.
Advancements in computing power through Moore’s Law and cloud-based HPC services have revolutionized simulation capabilities in engineering across various industries.
AI and Machine Learning are now integrated into CAE workflows, enhancing prediction accuracy, exploration in design, and offering faster and more efficient simulations.
AI augments physics in CAE, offering hybrid workflows that combine the predictive power of numerical modeling with the speed of machine learning.
AI-driven CAE presents challenges such as data quality, interpretability, and scalability that need to be addressed for reliable outcomes.
The future of CAE involves real-time integrations, AI-enhanced models for predictive maintenance, and the convergence of CAE, AI, and real-world data for a closed-loop engineering ecosystem.
Companies like NVIDIA and Autodesk are developing tools that blend machine learning with traditional physics modeling, leading to faster innovation cycles and interactive simulations.
The evolution of CAE mirrors human technological advancement; now, with AI intersecting with traditional engineering, the challenge lies in effectively utilizing these tools for quicker, more informed, and physics-rooted innovations.