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."
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