348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

By: James Doane, P.E. PhD

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Course Objective

This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.

Course Description

348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

NOTE: This is a course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) for professional engineers, not a course in the related subject of Computer Aided Drafting.

Computer aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to assist the design engineer in the overall creation and analysis of parts and assemblies. Finite element analysis (FEA) is a numerical method used to determine approximate solutions of physical problems. Proper use and integration of CAD and FEA can greatly improve efficiency of the design process.

This course provides a general overview of methods and applications of computer aided design and finite element analysis to expose the reader to the many design features of solid modeling software. The intent of the course is to explain ways computer aided design can improve the overall design process and allow for easier design changes. The course will explain how to properly use computer aided design and finite element analysis methods to optimization designs and have greater confidence in how a design will function. General knowledge of solid modeling software is helpful for this course but not required. Though this course discusses the general concepts of solid modeling, the course does not teach concepts of computer aided drafting. General understanding of the equations of stress and strain would be beneficial for understanding the applications of FEA.

The information provided in this course is not limited to any single software package. This course does not focus on teaching any single solid modeling software package and does not provide step-by-step tutorials of CAD or FEA. Information is presented in a way to develop concepts of computer aided design and finite element analysis that can be applied to any solid modeling software. Illustrative examples of CAD procedures are given using Solidworks and Inventor, though the concepts would apply to any software package. The same software packages are used to illustrate the concepts of FEA, yet the concepts can be transferred to other FEA software.

Questions about this course? Email the Author: jdoane229@gmail.com

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(4.7) 6 Reviews

Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Robert Feasel

02/18/2021

Verified Buyer

I thought this was a very good overview of the subject. A worthwhile investment.

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FEA Basics

Jamie Mills

01/15/2021

Verified Buyer

This course explores the VERY basic concepts of solid modeling and FEA. I recommend to those that have no or limited knowledge of FEA. Interesting to learn some of the history of FEA and review the basics here and again.

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348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Christopher Philip Rahaim

11/19/2020

Verified Buyer

Course has a very nice overview of CAD and FEA. The explanations were good and the detail was given where needed.

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#348 CAD and Finite Element Analysis

Frank Morganti

05/07/2020

This is an excellent course in content and presentation. The course leaves the student able to continue learning after taking this overview course.

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348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Miguel Restrepo

04/19/2020

Verified Buyer

Great refresh/overview of CAD-FEM

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348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

keith sturgill

02/17/2020

Verified Buyer

This was a good overview. I think a little bit more in the use of CAD software would have been helpful.

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Course Code: 100259-10

Course PDH Hours: 4

Engineering Course Approvals

This course is accepted for engineering continuing education credit in all US states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces.
New York rules allow only 18-hours of unsupervised online courses such as this course per license renewal period. NOTE: Due to COVID-19, NYSED is waiving the live training requirement for March 1, 2020 – January 1, 2022 renewals.
http://www.op.nysed.gov/COVID-19.html
Ohio rules allow only 6-hours of unsupervised online courses such as this course per license renewal period
Kansas rules allow only 5-hours of self-study courses such as this course per license renewal period

About Course Approvals