ASUS Turns to FEA to Accelerate the Innovation Curve
Using Abaqus, the hardware maker can perform virtual simulations, reducing reliance on costly and time-consuming physical testing
Beth Stackpole, Contributing Editor -- Design News, April 3, 2009
Citing mounting competitive pressures and an increasing need to stay ahead of the innovation curve, ASUSTek Computer Inc. (ASUS) has begun implementing the Abaqus finite element analysis (FEA) software as part of its development process for its line of inboard computer components and peripherals.
Abaqus, from Dassault Systemes' SIMULIA brand, will let the hardware maker leverage realistic simulation to test out design ideas in a virtual world, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming physical testing, which can slow the pace of innovation and extend time-to-market. The company's engineering teams will leverage Abaqus FEA to perform virtual simulations in the areas of mobile phone drop, twisting, bending, hinge-operating simulation, pressure on notebook cover simulation and more, according to Benson Chan, manager, analysis design section, Mechanical & Industrial Design Center, at ASUS.
"With regards to the electronics industry, reliability and predictability are both of great concern," says Chan. "ASUS conducts analytical simulations with Abaqus, especially in the early developmental stages, to evaluate the structural integrity of its designs. When ASUS uses Abaqus from SIMULIA, its products outperform the competitors."
Simulations will assist ASUS engineers in obtaining predictable results as well as other data concerning stress, strain, acceleration, etc. Based on this important feedback, ASUS engineers can work out the standard design guideline, reducing the time and increasing the savings as compared to more traditional physical testing, Chan explains.
ASUS' wide array of products--one in three desktop PCs sold in 2007 were powered by an ASUS motherboard-also increases the time-to-market pressure for the company. Using the Abaqus simulation solution, ASUS has been able to reduce its entire cycle for laptop production down to around three months. "Time is a very significant factor for achieving market lead," Chan says. "Virtual simulation is a very useful solution for reducing time consumption."
Abaqus enables a process simulation for a notebook power button to analyze the stress caused when pushed.
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