Last week, Kenneth Wong took a test drive of a couple of SmartApps from Front End Analytics, highlighting the engineering democratization that can be achieved through such an “appification” process. He reviews two apps, one of which generates a new design configuration by automating various CAD, design-rule, and analysis tools, while the other evaluates the feasibility of a design by automating in-house codes. Both have been built using a structured workflow with real-time error checking.
Instead of distributing widely configurable design, simulation, and analysis tools, these SmartApps are built with foolproof workflows and server-based parametric analyses. This approach obviously shortens design cycles, in addition to removing operator risk and ensuring design viability.