Introduction
Traditionally, product development followed a linear and fragmented path: engineers would create a 3D model in CAD, and then send it to a specialized analysis team for simulation (CAE). This back-and-forth often resulted in bottlenecks, data loss, and late-stage design changes.
MODSIM (Modeling and Simulation) is a revolutionary approach that integrates design and simulation into a single, unified workflow and environment. Instead of simulation being a “final check,” it becomes a continuous driver of the design process. In a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) context, MODSIM allows engineers to evaluate the behavior, performance, and manufacturability of a product simultaneously as they create its geometry.
The Pillars of the MODSIM Approach
MODSIM is built on three fundamental technological shifts:
1. Single Data Model
Designers and simulation experts work on the same underlying geometry. There is no need for file translation or “cleaning” models for analysis, which eliminates the most significant source of error in virtual testing.
2. Simulation-Led Design
Simulation is used at the very beginning (Conceptual Phase). Engineers use tools like Generative Design or topology optimization to let the software suggest the best shape based on functional requirements and constraints.
3. High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Cloud
MODSIM leverages the cloud to run complex simulations (thermal, fluid dynamics, crash tests) in parallel, providing results in minutes instead of days.
Strategic Benefits of MODSIM in PLM
| Benefit | Impact on the Business |
| Accelerated Time-to-Market | Reduces the “Design-Test-Fix” cycle by up to 50% by identifying flaws instantly. |
| Drastic Cost Reduction | Minimizes the need for expensive physical prototypes; you “fail fast” in a virtual environment. |
| Optimized Performance | Allows for more iterations, leading to lighter, stronger, and more efficient products. |
| Enhanced Collaboration | Designers and analysts speak the same language, working on a unified Digital Twin. |
MODSIM and the Digital Twin
MODSIM is the engine that powers the Digital Twin. While a standard 3D model shows what a product looks like, a MODSIM-driven twin shows how it behaves in the real world. This capability allows companies to predict life expectancy, maintenance needs, and performance under extreme conditions before the first unit is even manufactured.
How Visure Solutions Orchestrates the MODSIM Workflow
The main challenge of MODSIM is not the simulation itself, but managing the requirements that drive those simulations. Visure Requirements ALM Platform provides the critical governance layer:
- Requirement-Driven Simulation: Visure allows you to link specific performance requirements (e.g., “Must withstand 500N of force”) directly to the MODSIM parameters.
- Closed-Loop Validation: When a simulation is run, the results can be automatically fed back into Visure. If the simulation “fails” a requirement, Visure flags the design as non-compliant.
- Managing “Simulation Requirements”: MODSIM requires defining complex boundary conditions. Visure manages these as technical requirements, ensuring simulations are accurate and repeatable.
- Traceability for Certification: For regulated industries, Visure provides the evidence that the virtual testing (MODSIM) was performed correctly and that the results fulfill the regulatory standards.
Conclusion
MODSIM is the ultimate expression of modern PLM. It transforms simulation from a reactive “policing” tool into a proactive “creative” force. By unifying modeling and simulation, organizations can explore more design alternatives, ensure higher quality, and respond faster to market demands.
By integrating the MODSIM workflow with the requirements management power of Visure, companies achieve a superior level of control. You don’t just simulate for the sake of science; you simulate to ensure that every design decision is perfectly aligned with the customer’s needs and industry regulations.
Check out the 14-day free trial at Visure and experience how AI-driven change control can help you manage changes faster, safer, and with full audit readiness.
