From an engineering perspective, is there much call for CAD (computer aided design) in the form of Autocad and Autodesk Inventor in the offroad industry.
http://www.autodesk.com/siteselect.htm
(small)
http://www3.autodesk.com/emea_design_ce ... -1-345.jpg
(large)
http://www3.autodesk.com/emea_design_ce ... e-1-gr.jpg
The reason for my askng is that im a student mechanical engineer and am looking at the 4x4 career possabilities.
If one was looking to work as an engineer in this field, is there much call for designing and computer analysis of 4x4 components (suspension systems, space framing, bracing).
In addition to the design of the 4x4, is there any demand for finite elements anaylsis in the form of stress/strain and aerodynamic relationships.
http://www.ansys.com/
http://www-waterloo.ansys.com/cfx/cfd/i ... _solve.gif
just qurious,
thank you
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4x4 Design - Engineering Analysis
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Engineering is my field but not associated with the 4x4 industry so i have no 1st hand knowledge of what engineering tools they use.
If you become familiar with tools like Ansys for fea, Adams or visual nastran for kinematics and inventor, proe, solidworks etc for solid modelling you should be well equipped.
If you become familiar with tools like Ansys for fea, Adams or visual nastran for kinematics and inventor, proe, solidworks etc for solid modelling you should be well equipped.
John
CAD
hello Dave,
I am a Mechanical Design Enginner owning a succesful design consultancy in Brisbane and have been in this industry for many years. we dont work specifically in the market sector you mentioned, but i can offer you some direction. We have designed a few products for local companies that have been designed for off road use.
Probalbly the best advice i can give you is is to STAY AWAY FROM AUTOCAD. Auto cad is "popular" due to its early marketing success way back when CAD was getting into industry. I actualy started on AutoCad 10 many years ago, and really to this day even it is a drafting tool, not a serious design tool. This choice in software you use will really decide where you go with engineering. There are some good alternatives out there, but the ones that you are introduced to at UNI are not always the best. We use Solidwork. I have used CATIA, ProCAD and Microstation commercially. The Solidworks package comes with basic FEA and simulation and is totally parametirc, which gives huge flexability. I think there may be a student licence available.
Im sure there are others on this board that will have comments too about the software they use.. we tend to be defensive about what we use as engineers. the market you are looking to work in is a very small sector and you might want to get lots of experience in various other markets before trying to target that one in particular.
im not sure where you are, but if you would like any more information feel free to PM me.
Rob
I am a Mechanical Design Enginner owning a succesful design consultancy in Brisbane and have been in this industry for many years. we dont work specifically in the market sector you mentioned, but i can offer you some direction. We have designed a few products for local companies that have been designed for off road use.
Probalbly the best advice i can give you is is to STAY AWAY FROM AUTOCAD. Auto cad is "popular" due to its early marketing success way back when CAD was getting into industry. I actualy started on AutoCad 10 many years ago, and really to this day even it is a drafting tool, not a serious design tool. This choice in software you use will really decide where you go with engineering. There are some good alternatives out there, but the ones that you are introduced to at UNI are not always the best. We use Solidwork. I have used CATIA, ProCAD and Microstation commercially. The Solidworks package comes with basic FEA and simulation and is totally parametirc, which gives huge flexability. I think there may be a student licence available.
Im sure there are others on this board that will have comments too about the software they use.. we tend to be defensive about what we use as engineers. the market you are looking to work in is a very small sector and you might want to get lots of experience in various other markets before trying to target that one in particular.
im not sure where you are, but if you would like any more information feel free to PM me.
Rob
ohhhhh shite... it really didnt look that deep!
Re: CAD
Mechman wrote:hello Dave,
I am a Mechanical Design Enginner
That reminds me of a joke on a toilet wall at uni:
"When I came here I couldn't spell engineer and now I is one"
I am an engineer, but chemical, not mechanical, and I work in filtration research (which directly relevant to automotive areas) but you don't do much design. So I probably can't be much help. I use Autocad every so often but usually use modelling packages like MATLAB or fluid mechanics packages.
_____________________________________________________________
RUFF wrote:Beally STFU Your becoming a real PITA.
Re: CAD
"When I came here I couldn't spell engineer and now I is one"
hehehe, old ones are the best hey...
well, thats what i keep telling my wife...lol
hehehe, old ones are the best hey...
well, thats what i keep telling my wife...lol
ohhhhh shite... it really didnt look that deep!
Dave
Mechman is correct with his comments about AutoCAD - it's not bad for strictly 2D drafting, and has basic 3D abilities, but its not in the same league as the parametric modelling packages. We use ProE, but not many places in Brisbane do. Most seem to be heading to Solidworks, and those who have used both seem to prefer Solidworks - but I don't know if that has changed since the introduction of ProE Wildfire (we don't have it...
)
The ability to use AutoCAD may be an asset, but if its all you know your opportunities will be severely limited.
Cheers,
Scott
Mechman is correct with his comments about AutoCAD - it's not bad for strictly 2D drafting, and has basic 3D abilities, but its not in the same league as the parametric modelling packages. We use ProE, but not many places in Brisbane do. Most seem to be heading to Solidworks, and those who have used both seem to prefer Solidworks - but I don't know if that has changed since the introduction of ProE Wildfire (we don't have it...
)
The ability to use AutoCAD may be an asset, but if its all you know your opportunities will be severely limited.
Cheers,
Scott
Re: CAD
ISUZUROVER wrote:
That reminds me of a joke on a toilet wall at uni:
"When I came here I couldn't spell engineer and now I is one"
Was that above or below the one that said
"Arts degree please take one " with an arrow point to the bog roll
all depends on which uni department you walk into as to which combination of these you see
I am a Mechanical Engineer and don't do a lot of 'off road' related 4x4 stuff but do a lot of vehicle related work none the less. The the use of software will depend on where you work.
3D software is great if you are working on components that will be produced in any sort of volume. It is a fantastic tool in the right application. 2D software has it's place as I find it really useful for anything I need cut out of flat plate, ie a chassis plate. You also need to keep in mind the people doing the laser cutting at the other end may not be able to use you 3d files and you end up sending everthing as a dxf anyway.
If you were to work for a big company doing 4x4 stuff you will probably find 3d modelling useful ans they will have the production runs to justify it but on the other hand they will not be interested in 1 off custom jobs as that will not turn a dollar for their type of setup.
If you were to work for a small company that can survive doing 1 off custom modification you will find that booty fab will probably work best for the prototype and the finished part won't be far off. This type of company will not be interested in paying you to draw what they have already made in 3d as the will not be profitable.
The two paragraphs are a very crude generalisation of the automotive industries but if you think along these line it may help.
3D software is great if you are working on components that will be produced in any sort of volume. It is a fantastic tool in the right application. 2D software has it's place as I find it really useful for anything I need cut out of flat plate, ie a chassis plate. You also need to keep in mind the people doing the laser cutting at the other end may not be able to use you 3d files and you end up sending everthing as a dxf anyway.
If you were to work for a big company doing 4x4 stuff you will probably find 3d modelling useful ans they will have the production runs to justify it but on the other hand they will not be interested in 1 off custom jobs as that will not turn a dollar for their type of setup.
If you were to work for a small company that can survive doing 1 off custom modification you will find that booty fab will probably work best for the prototype and the finished part won't be far off. This type of company will not be interested in paying you to draw what they have already made in 3d as the will not be profitable.
The two paragraphs are a very crude generalisation of the automotive industries but if you think along these line it may help.
You have to crawl before you walk i say!
And 3D didn't come in a shade of lead.
I have seen and worked with full auto cad systems showing multi layer factory layouts including "3D" views.
Industry is old, alot older than the computer and its programs and if you can't read the good old 2D and understand it what hope have you got.
thats just my comment!
Chad
And 3D didn't come in a shade of lead.
I have seen and worked with full auto cad systems showing multi layer factory layouts including "3D" views.
Industry is old, alot older than the computer and its programs and if you can't read the good old 2D and understand it what hope have you got.
thats just my comment!
Chad
thank you all so much for the help,
words cant express how you opionion/guidence/experienced has changed my view on things,
A fair chunck of my degree is based around modelling - with the main emphasis on the autodesk collection. This made me think that the industry must be based around it. If i weren't for you guys i would have been heading in the "wrong" direction.
ISUZUROVER - thats a good one, (there is plenty of the art degree dispensers throughout my uni)
thanks agian,
dave
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words cant express how you opionion/guidence/experienced has changed my view on things,
A fair chunck of my degree is based around modelling - with the main emphasis on the autodesk collection. This made me think that the industry must be based around it. If i weren't for you guys i would have been heading in the "wrong" direction.
ISUZUROVER - thats a good one, (there is plenty of the art degree dispensers throughout my uni)
thanks agian,
dave
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Dave, I am a mechanical engineer also. I've designed products for army vehicles and trains, not to mention a lot of accessories for my 4x4 and motorbike. Like Rob, I can vouch for Solidworks. I have used it since '97 and it has come a long way. I don't believe there is a place for 2D packages anymore since the 3D packages have included a lot of 2D features (layer & colour management more recently), mainly to make people comfortable with the transition, rather than for any real added function. User interfaces are very good with Solidworks. The FEA on the latest Solidworks is just a token, but is a useful guide. I believe it doesn't matter which 3D package you go with (not wire frame based like CADKEY or CADDS), you will be blessed with more features with each version they bring out simply because of the competition.
Cheers, Glen.
Cheers, Glen.
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