It is a computer simulation technique. It allows us to examine the performance of various aspects of a product or manufacturing process.
What Can We Simulate?
We can simulate engineering problems of almost any type where the physics is well understood. The method is especially good at simulating awkward geometries.
This asthma inhaler was simulated with finite element analysis to reduce number of prototyping stages when adding a dose counter. First the design of the mechanical counting mechanism was refined using finite element analysis, so that the first physical prototype worked. Second, the test of dropping the inhaler from a height of 1.8 metres onto concrete was simulated to ensure that the inhaler survived.
