Citing mounting competitive pressures and an increasing needto stay ahead of the innovation curve, ASUSTekComputer Inc. (ASUS) has begun implementing the Abaqus finite element analysis (FEA)software as part of its development process for its line of inboard computercomponents and peripherals.

Abaqus, from Dassault Systemes' SIMULIA brand, will let thehardware maker leverage realistic simulation to test out design ideas in avirtual world, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming physicaltesting, which can slow the pace of innovation and extend time-to-market. Thecompany's engineering teams will leverage Abaqus FEA to perform virtualsimulations 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 andpredictability are both of great concern," says Chan. "ASUS conducts analyticalsimulations with Abaqus, especially in the early developmental stages, toevaluate the structural integrity of its designs. When ASUS uses Abaqus fromSIMULIA, its products outperform the competitors."

Simulations will assist ASUS engineers in obtainingpredictable results as well as other data concerning stress, strain,acceleration, etc.  Based on this important feedback, ASUS engineers can workout the standard design guideline, reducing the time and increasing the savingsas compared to more traditional physical testing, Chan explains.

ASUS' wide array of products--one in three desktop PCs soldin 2007 were powered by an ASUS motherboard-also increases the time-to-marketpressure for the company. Using the Abaqus simulation solution, ASUS has beenable to reduce its entire cycle for laptop production down to around threemonths. "Time is a very significant factor for achieving market lead," Chansays. "Virtual simulation is a very useful solution for reducing timeconsumption."

ASUS Turns to FEA to Accelerate the Innovation Curve A