Digital Engineering
Digital engineering is a diverse discipline that centers around the application of scientific and mathematical techniques to design, develop, and optimize structures, machines, and systems. It’s a fundamental building block of innovation, driving advancements across various industries, from aerospace and automotive to high-tech and healthcare.
At their core, engineers are problem solvers, using expertise to create solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and functionality. TECHNIA teams work across all engineering disciplines with cutting-edge solutions and services, ensuring our clients successfully navigate complex challenges with ease and precision.
The role of digital engineering in product development and manufacturing
Digital engineering makes use of advanced technologies like virtual twins and MBSE (model-based systems engineering) to build on data-driven processes, streamline workflows, and drive innovation at every stage of the product lifecycle.
It enables teams to work together seamlessly through cloud-based platforms, benefit from real-time insights, enhance efficiency, and reduce development timelines. It fuels smart factories with IoT, robotics, and AI, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automation. And it accelerates prototyping and production with AM (additive manufacturing) and helps to identify bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and minimize waste using virtual simulations of manufacturing processes.
By embedding cutting-edge technologies into design and production processes, digital engineering enables faster innovation, higher-quality products, and more flexible manufacturing solutions.
What are the benefits of best practice engineering?
Improve quality
Using quality management systems that monitor and control processes to meet predefined quality criteria. Techniques such as six sigma and TQM (total quality management) can be used to identify defects and implement corrective actions. Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with industry standards and maintain product integrity.
Enhance product safety
By implementing robust safety management systems like ISO 45001, and incorporating safety principles into the design phase. This includes using redundancy, fail-safe designs, and ergonomic considerations. Regular audits and inspections, along with the use of protective equipment and controls, ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards.
Increase efficiency
By applying lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste and streamline operations. Process automation and the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and IoT enable real-time monitoring and control, reducing downtime and improving process flow. Continuous improvement methodologies, such as kaizen, encourage incremental enhancements that boost efficiency over time.
Maximize productivity
With SOPs (standard operating procedures) to ensure that tasks are performed consistently and correctly, reducing the time spent on rework. Collaboration tools and project management software facilitate communication and coordination among teams, allowing for more efficient task allocation and progress tracking. Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and development also empowers engineers to enhance their skills and productivity.
Ensure consistency
With design standards and engineering codes ensure that all projects adhere to uniform criteria, reducing variability and enhancing predictability. Version control systems in software engineering maintain consistency across codebases, preventing discrepancies and ensuring that all team members work with the latest updates. Regular peer reviews and quality checks further ensure consistency in outputs.
Save time
Using agile methodologies to support rapid iterations and adjustments, minimizing delays. Simulation and modeling tools enable engineers to test and refine designs virtually, reducing the need for physical prototypes and accelerating the development cycle. Predefined templates and libraries for common tasks also save time by eliminating the need to start from scratch.
Reduce costs
Using value engineering techniques to help identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality. Predictive maintenance powered by IoT and AI reduces unexpected equipment failures, lowering repair costs and extending asset life. Bulk purchasing agreements and supplier partnerships can also reduce material costs, contributing to overall cost savings.
Reuse code
In software engineering, creating libraries and frameworks that can be easily integrated into new projects, reduces development time and effort. Documentation and coding standards ensure that code is easily understandable and adaptable by other developers, facilitating seamless reuse and collaboration.
Standardize processes
In compliance with international regulatory bodies such as ISO and ANSI, ensuring that projects meet global benchmarks. Using industry leaders as a benchmark helps find the best ways to do things and areas for improvement. This helps create a culture of doing things well and coming up with new ideas.
How to get started with your engineering project
There are several approaches to consider before planning your engineering project. Model-based engineering, MBSE (model-based systems engineering), concurrent engineering, agile methodologies, and more. Regardless of your approach, there are principal foundations on which efficient engineering projects are built.
Begin by identifying the problem you aim to solve and setting specific, measurable goals. Establishing a well-defined scope helps in aligning the project with business objectives and ensures that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of the project’s purpose.
Gather and document all the requirements and constraints associated with the project. This includes technical specifications, budget limitations, regulatory requirements, and timelines. Understanding these parameters is crucial for guiding the design process and ensuring that the project remains feasible and aligned with stakeholder expectations.
Generate a range of ideas and solutions that address the project’s objectives. Use creative problem-solving techniques to explore different concepts and select the most promising ones for further development. Conceptualization sets the foundation for innovative and effective design solutions.
Assess the technical, economic, and market viability of your chosen concepts. Conduct feasibility studies to determine if the concepts can be developed within the given constraints and if they offer a competitive advantage. This evaluation helps in refining ideas and selecting the best path forward.
Develop the final concept into an initial design. Create preliminary models and simulations to test the design’s functionality and performance. This stage involves iterative testing and refinement to address any issues and optimize the design for further development.
Finalize the product’s specifications, materials, and components using simulation tools to validate the design and ensure it meets all performance criteria. Detailed design and simulation help in identifying potential issues before virtual, and/or physical prototyping.
Test and refine designs before full-scale production. Create digital models using simulation software to evaluate the design’s performance under life-like stresses, identifying potential issues without the need for physical materials. Engineers can then optimize the prototype design according to feedback from virtual prototyping, reducing the design iteration required in testing.
Limited physical prototyping allows you to test the design in real-world conditions. This includes stress tests, usability tests, and safety evaluations. Testing and evaluation are critical for identifying any remaining issues and ensuring the product’s reliability and safety.
The production phase is the most varied across companies, which strategies adapted to the requirements of the organizational and distribution strategies. Still, each must set up manufacturing processes, source materials, and establish quality control measures to ensure consistent product quality. Efficient production planning is essential for all, ensuring market demands and timelines are met while optimizing processes and maintaining product quality.
Implement a robust quality assurance process to maintain high standards throughout production. This involves continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure that each product meets the established quality criteria. Quality assurance helps in building trust with customers and maintaining the product’s reputation in the market.
Need help with Engineering?
Johannes Storvik and team are on-hand to provide tailored guidance and support with a deep knowledge of the full Dassault Systèmes portfolio. Reach out for a free consultation today.
Essential software for engineering
For complex engineering design and assembly modeling.
For design, engineering, simulation, manufacturing, and data management.
For virtual testing, analyzing, and optimizing product performance.
For end-to-end PLM (product lifecycle management) and collaborative innovation.
View our extensive range of software solutions