COLLOQUIUM

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN  48309

Mary E. Fortier

General Motors

Statistics & Computer Aided Engineering for Automotive Applications

“Get Better, Faster!”  This statement is typical in today’s automotive market where pressure exists from competitive pricing, increasing regulation, labor costs and an ever-changing global consumer.   How do companies simultaneously improve at the speed of light and bring their innovations to market?  One successful strategy is to leverage the use of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) coupled with advanced design strategies.  Planned accordingly, this approach will either enhance or replace the use of physical testing therefore reducing material and resource costs while improving timing.   Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) is commonly used to assess multiple alternatives and provide valuable insight to design direction.  CAE can be used at every stage of the development process and is most advantageous during early concept exploration when the cost of making changes is lowest.  This talk will focus on two case studies which demonstrate the engineering effectiveness gained through integration of statistical techniques with Computer Aided Engineering.