Expert: George Moustris - 10/7/2007

Question
Hello,
  I hope this is not a stupid question.  Will CAD allow me to build a virtual model, manipulate the dimensions, and test the results?  I want to find out what wall thickness will work best to transfer heat most efficiently in aluminum.

Answer
Hello Bruce,

CAD software enables you to design systems. It doesn't include simulation steps and libraries. Typically, there are special simulation programs that perform simulations for various types of processes e.g. mechanical, fluid dynamics,chemical etc. Usually, such programs may import designs built using CAD software (for example you could design a tank using pro-engineer and import this design in a fluid dynamics simulator to actually see how water flows in it). Another example is SimMechanics in Matlab that simulates mechanical systems. You can build (schematically) a mechanical drawing using e.g. AutoCAD and simulate it using SImMechanics.

Best
G.