In late October, I will have the distinct pleasure of opening the 2012 Automotive Simulation World Congress (ASWC) in Detroit, MI – birthplace of the U.S. automotive industry. I posted some generic information about the congress in my July blog. For this post, I’d like to tell you a little bit more about why I think you should attend.
At the end of August it was front-page news in the automotive world that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally ratified its new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. This news has a huge impact for automakers because by 2025 they’ll be expected to produce a line of vehicles with a fleet-wide average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg). That’s double today’s standards!
Add to that all of the advanced electronics that customers are demanding—like built-in global positioning systems (GPSs), telephones, music files (mp3) and other data storage, and even internet connectivity — and it’s easy to see how designing an already complex vehicle (and keeping it affordable) is going to become even more challenging in the years ahead.
Fortunately, as we say at ANSYS, “Simulation is at the heart of innovation.” And, this year’s ASWC will show practical, real-world examples of how simulation can help auto engineers meet tomorrow’s challenges today.
Automotive Simulation World Congress Keynote
Wayne Eckerle, vice president of research and technology from Cummins Inc., will deliver the keynote address on the first morning. In a corporate-wide initiative, Cummins is refining its automotive designs up front in the process with Analysis Led Design, which shortens development time, reduces costs and improves product performance. In effect, the initiative has transformed the Cummins R&D organization from a test-centric culture to an analysis-centric one; it has contributed to “getting design right the first time.”
Eckerle will be followed by two of my ANSYS colleagues: Dipankar Choudhury and Sin Min Yap. Choudhury, VP of research at ANSYS, will talk about the visionary technologies that our company is developing to meet the automotive product development challenges of the future. VP of industry strategy at ANSYS, Yap plans to focus on achieving value through Simulation-Driven Product Development. Many companies that struggle to improve their processes, Yap says, are unaware of which product development practices matter most, and their key business initiatives are not linked to their product development processes.
The afternoon of the first day and all of the second day will consist of various breakout sessions. Key automotive companies from around the world will present case studies about their latest simulation usage techniques and achievements. These include General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Volvo Cars, Honda R&D, Volvo Trucks, Cummins, Delphi, TRW, Mann+Hummel, and numerous others. Here’s a sample of what you can expect from these sessions:
- Powertrain: Learn about simulating all aspects of automotive powertrain from in-cylinder, to turbochargers, to pumps, to injectors, and several other aspects.
- Aerodynamics, Underhood: Covers underhood thermal management and aerodynamics considerations within the automotive design cycle — including tire water splash, front-end analysis, vehicle dynamics and HVAC system design.
- Robust Design, Optimization: ANSYS Workbench makes parametric, optimization possible in the automotive industry. From a single solution to full design exploration, learn how to produce innovative, robust designs.
- Vehicle Electrification/Automotive Electronics: Explore battery simulation — from small-scale lithium-ion (Li-on) electrochemical modeling to large-scale systems‑level modeling, traction motor simulation, sensors and actuators, antenna development and numerous other topics.
Registration is currently open, register today. Discounts are available for ANSYS channel partners, as well as students and faculty. Hotel discounts are available until October 15th.
Hope to see you in the Motor City soon!