Implementing Computational Optimization Methods in Engineering Design Education at Northwestern University
Technology Category
- Automation & Control - Human Machine Interface (HMI)
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Applicable Industries
- Automotive
- Education
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Manufacturing Process Simulation
- Smart Campus
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
Northwestern University in Evanston, IL., USA is a premier research university that provides students and faculty with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth. The Integrated DEsign Automation Laboratory (IDEAL) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, under the direction of Dr. Wei Chen, focuses on the development of rational design methods based on mathematical optimization techniques and statistical methods for use in complex engineering design and product realization problems. The complexity is considered from various aspects, such as the large number of physical interrelated elements, the complexity and computational cost of design simulations, the heterogeneity of information at different levels of abstraction, the various sources of uncertainties, the multidisciplinary organization with conflicting goals, and the difficulty in understanding the socio-technical interfaces.
The Challenge
Northwestern University's Integrated DEsign Automation Laboratory (IDEAL) was tasked with implementing a series of engineering design courses. The challenge was to incorporate computational design methods like modeling, simulation, and optimization, which are increasingly important in engineering design decision making. The process of creating and evaluating design alternatives often involves selecting a preferred design from many alternatives, a task that can range from difficult to impossible without the aid of computational methods. Therefore, it was crucial for engineering design students to be exposed to computational tools that would allow them to make sound design judgments when completing their design projects. The courses also needed to incorporate the application of design decision methods to industrial problems, providing engineering students with the experience needed to approach real-world design problems later in their careers.
The Solution
The solution was the utilization of HyperWorks OptiStruct and HyperStudy optimization programs in multiple engineering design courses at Northwestern University. Four courses in computational design were developed as part of IDEAL in the Mechanical Engineering Department. These courses included Computational Methods for Engineering Design, Engineering Optimization for Product Design and Manufacturing, Engineering Design, and Advanced Computational & Statistical Methods for Engineering. Prior to the introduction of these courses, computational design was not included in the Northwestern University Engineering curriculum. With the introduction of these courses, a repository of computational design tutorials using industry-sponsored design projects was established. Two examples of these tutorials included the optimal design of a die-cast binder component of an automotive stamping tooling system and the evaluation of a partial truck frame front structure.
Operational Impact
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