Pushing the Design Envelope with CAE

This article focuses on the growing role of computer-aided engineering programs for the design of electronic packaging. While computer-aided engineering (CAD) clearly offers the potential to improve products and cut manufacturing costs and time, those who have adopted CAE are facing significant challenges in making it work. Historically, CAE has failed to deliver results fast enough to exert a major influence on design decisions. Instead, corporations have used finite-element results to validate previously determined designs. But because design changes later can cost more than correct up-front decisions, CAE simulation can offer cash benefits when it has a role in the initial stages of product design. Technical staff leaders must translate objectives into CAE work that is efficient and effective. The status of the measurements must always be available, in order to monitor progress.