CAE Company Start-up
CAE Company Start-up
(OP)
Hi! Me and my 2 friends think about starting-up a CAE company in Poland. We work together for another company within aerospace CAE. We want to focus on thermal and stress analysis, using FEMAP.
1) First of all we are afraid that we do not have enough experience but we also think, you will never be experienced enough to say "this is the right time"
2) Secondly, software prices are high so we think about FEMAP which seems to be good enough and not so expensive like ANSYS, whithin thermal/stress modules
3) Another thing is how to find the customers. This is one of the biggest problem we face, we have no references...
4) FEM knowledge. We are good in thermal and stress problems but we do not feel so good in FEM, I mean we know the fundamentals but we are worried if we could face advanced issues with basic knowledge in FEM generally.
So I would appreciate any help and tips that could help us.
1) Which business model would be the best? only CAE or CAD/CAE.
2) We think there is a big need in the industry for CAE services but do you think the same?
3) Which software except FEMAP could be good?
4) Should we focus of FEM knowledge or maybe try to get more experience in thermal and stress analysis at all to understand the phenomena?
1) First of all we are afraid that we do not have enough experience but we also think, you will never be experienced enough to say "this is the right time"
2) Secondly, software prices are high so we think about FEMAP which seems to be good enough and not so expensive like ANSYS, whithin thermal/stress modules
3) Another thing is how to find the customers. This is one of the biggest problem we face, we have no references...
4) FEM knowledge. We are good in thermal and stress problems but we do not feel so good in FEM, I mean we know the fundamentals but we are worried if we could face advanced issues with basic knowledge in FEM generally.
So I would appreciate any help and tips that could help us.
1) Which business model would be the best? only CAE or CAD/CAE.
2) We think there is a big need in the industry for CAE services but do you think the same?
3) Which software except FEMAP could be good?
4) Should we focus of FEM knowledge or maybe try to get more experience in thermal and stress analysis at all to understand the phenomena?






RE: CAE Company Start-up
It is certainly possible to do CAE or CAD as a supplied service, but it tends to be on the assumption that you are hiring expertise and experience rather than just a knowledge of the software.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: CAE Company Start-up
You do know that you also need a solver, right?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: CAE Company Start-up
RE: CAE Company Start-up
"Expertise" ? You must have a proven track record and have the medals ... otherwise no manager can make an inhouse case for buying your services
"Speed" ? Difficult one .. this could be done by having superior soft & hardware or by less favorable working conditions of your staff. In the first case you need to be able to prove to have the better software/hardware and in the latter case you are going to be in huge trouble with the compliance officer of the company you are trying to work for ....
"Availability" Are your resources always available or does one order already block your ability to respond quickly to new requests ....
"Costs" ? Can you deliver the results at lower costs to the OEM ? ... If you are for instance "on site" the OEM will make you pay for using a desk/phone/computer which comes on top on your salary to be paid ....
"Liability" Are you sure to be able to deliver the results on time ? If your one and only employee goes on sick leave for a month can you guarantee the results to be ready at the deadline ?. They will ask you that in writing ....
"Warranty" What if you mess up things ... let's say a million dollar project .... are you having insurance ?
and last but not least .... if the OEM does have an inhouse CAE department ... how do you intend to get support from those people ... if you offer the "slave work" for sure but "picking cherrie's" won't get you much support ....
These are just some experiences from the past that I have had ....
Cheers,
dynatune, www.dynatune-xl.com
RE: CAE Company Start-up
If you want to start your own company you should be aware of rates for drafters to be competitive.
RE: CAE Company Start-up
I've had no luck with overseas CAD guys, but you are paying a fair bit more than I was prepared to pay, and having worked with a couple of Vietnamese engineers I'd say that you probably went to the right country!
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: CAE Company Start-up
The lack of expertise at your customer means:
Your scope of work will be poorly defined.
You will get no guidance regarding load cases.
No one will be able to answer any questions that you have.
No one will be able to meaningfully review your delivered work.
Your colorful stress plots will be shown to the boss - "See, we had and FEA done! Aren't the pictures pretty!"
Parts will be made, and will fail.
You will be blamed and possibly sued.
That seems like a pretty bad business model.