FOR A NEW COMPUTING WORKFLOW

MAKING THE CASE

S P O N S O R E D BY P R O D U C E D BYTHE PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE

Engineering teams are transforming traditional workflows

to take advantage of new digital-driven design processes.

Whether the project is to design a next-generation jet engine, a cutting-edge medical device or an industrial pump, there’s no disputing the dawn of a new age of innovation. Even the simplest products now incorporate sensors and

software, and now devices that were previously stand-alone are being connected and integrated into a broader Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. To keep up with and capitalize on all of these changes, engineering teams are transforming traditional workflows to favor new digital-driven design processes.

The effects of digital transformation are reverberating across industries as companies seek to disrupt existing business models and reinvent core business processes to improve performance, gain entrance into untapped markets, and keep up with the accelerated pace of change. According to research from International Data Corp. (IDC), worldwide spending on digital transformation technologies will surge to more than $2.1 trillion in 2019 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%

over the 2014 to 2019 timeframe. While the effects of digitalization are rippling across industries, IDC research cited discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing and transportation as the segments most actively engaged in sweeping transformation.

Digital Design ToolsFor engineering teams, digitalization presents an opportunity to leverage sophisticated 3D modeling and simulation tools continuously throughout the design cycle. In the wake of increasing product complexity, it’s become critical for engineering teams to share design data and collaborate on work in progress early on in the cycle when it is far easier and more cost effective to facilitate changes. At the same time, each engineering discipline—mechanical, electrical or the software devel-opment team—requires easy access to highly sophisti-cated modeling tools that are instrumental for optimizing designs and identifying potential problems. Ready access to computing horsepower at the desktop, whenever it’s required, helps streamline such design workflows, unte-thering engineering teams from shared resources and eliminating unnecessary downtime that can take a toll on productivity.

As companies transition to the new design workflows, they also require tools that deliver a higher level of real-ism so the digital design is truly reflective of the physical product. Having a workstation platform capable of run-ning sophisticated tools that simulate everything from the behavior of a specific piston design, for example, to repli-

2 MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow

DRIVEN BY DIGITALIZATIONThe engineering workflow is transforming to design smarter products that integrate into larger systems

AS COMPANIES TRANSITION TO THE NEW DESIGN WORKFLOWS, THEY ALSO REQUIRE TOOLS THAT DELIVER A HIGHER LEVEL OF REALISM SO THE DIGITAL DESIGN IS TRULY REFLECTIVE OF THE PHYSICAL PRODUCT.

MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow 3

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cating the physical characteristics of a wood grain or the properties of steel goes a long way in cementing the virtual prototype’s role in product development. Achieving a high level of realism in the virtual world eliminates the need to build multiple physical proto-types, which again, drastically shortens the design process while significantly reducing costs.

Beyond design, these highly realistic virtual models can also play a role in testing. Rather than conduct all kinds of verification tests on physical pro-totypes, companies can transfer much of that work to the digital world, relying on simulation software to put product designs through their paces and further reducing reliance on costly physi-cal prototypes. Ultimately, emerging capabilities in areas like aug-mented reality and virtual reality can advance the digital workflow even further, allowing

engineers to capture

data from a product deployed

in the field and use it to create a digital twin,

which can aid in optimization and future design iterations.Amidst unprecedented product

complexity, the digitalization of the engi-neering workflow has become an impera-

tive for future innovation. Only by embracing the right tools and compute platforms can compa-

nies stake out a competitive edge.

$2.1 TRILLION

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SPENDING

SPENDING SURGE IDC forecasts a 16.8%

CAGR of spending on what it calls digital transformation technologies, reaching $2.1 trillion by 2019.

DID YOU KNOW?Data and information exchange now generate more economic value than the global goods trade.

— McKinsey & Company

4 MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow

As engineering groups pivot toward digitaliza-tion, many are finding their efforts hamstrung by the limitations of outdated hardware platforms and manual workflows that sim-ply don’t hold up to the demands of digital design-driven collaboration.

Products are increasingly complex, requiring exponen-tially larger 3D CAD models and assemblies to accommo-date the higher level of detail necessary for a fully formed digital design. These more robust CAD files, which can encompass everything from sensors and control systems to connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT), are far more demanding of computer processing horsepower in order to run efficiently.

Breaking Through Frequency LimitsLarger, more detailed 3D CAD files are taxing traditional workstations for a number of reasons. For one thing, popu-lar engineering design programs like SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk Inventor are frequency bound, meaning they have a single-threaded architecture that can only make use of a single processing core. As a result, adding more cores to a workstation foundation can only go so far in driving better performance for rebuilding large CAD models in a timely manner. Upgrading to a multi-core workstation will typi-cally deliver a nominal boost, if any, which undermines the investment without fully addressing the performance gap.

An alternative approach for gaining the speed and performance required by larger CAD files is through an overclocked workstation. Overclocking technology breaks through the frequency ceiling to achieve optimal perfor-mance far more effectively than outfitting a workstation with extra cores. The technology drives workstation per-formance over the base frequency, which translates into optimized engineering workflows for CAD and other model-ing software. Running large CAD models in an overclocked workstation environment increases overall engineering

productivity while delivering a much better user experi-ence. Most significantly, pairing CAD software with an overclocked workstation eliminates the downtime engi-neers typically incur waiting for their workstations to crank through the rebuild of highly detailed CAD models.

Another important asset for accommodating larger data sets and increasingly feature-packed CAD files is higher performance storage in the form of solid state drives (SSDs). SSDs are tuned for fast data retrieval with

seek times measured in nanoseconds and with sustained read times upwards of four to five times higher than tradi-tional mechanical drives. As a result, they provide another layer of efficiency to the digital design workflow, accelerat-ing the time it takes to perform everyday tasks like boot-ing up your machine, loading applications, and loading and closing large data sets.

Multiply Power for Multi-ThreadingAlong with 3D CAD, extensive use of simulation throughout each stage of the design cycle is another tenet of new digi-tal design workflows. As with large CAD models, complex simulations and the resulting analysis and post-processing work demand significant horsepower, yet they require a wholly different configuration for optimal performance. Unlike single-threaded 3D CAD modeling operations that can be pushed to peak performance via overclocking technologies, simulation-led design is a multi-threaded process, which

WHY CUSTOMIZE YOUR WORKFLOW

IF ENGINEERS ARE DOING A LOT OF RENDERING WORK, THEY CAN TIE UP THEIR SYSTEMS FOR HOURS, EVEN DAYS, WHICH PREVENTS THEM FROM DOING OTHER MODELING OR PRODUCTIVITY WORK.

MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow 5

WHY CUSTOMIZE YOUR WORKFLOW

AR/VR’S NEW REALITYNo longer the stuff of science fiction, virtual and augmented reality are fast becoming another

asset in the engineering toolbox, requiring organiza-tions to reevaluate workstations to ensure they are up to the task.

AR/VR applications can help engineers achieve that next level of realism required for digital designs to effectively supplant traditional design workflows. While VR delivers an immersive experience for engineers to test drive products in a digital environment, AR layers in additional data that can be used to optimize the process and better iterate designs.

Both technologies are highly graphical and compu-tationally intense, which means they require a much higher level of processing power than may be found in older workstations. Support for multicore proces-sors, hyperthreading capabilities, and dedicated GPU-based rendering systems are among the must-have capabilities to create a robust enough compute foundation.

Those engineering organizations committed to exploiting the latest AR/VR technologies need to con-sider a workstation upgrade in order to cement their place in the digital design workflow.

Learn more: boxx.com/products/ mobile-workstations/goboxx-mxl-vr

means it can actually benefit from adding extra CPU cores.

Multicore CPU workstations that support hyperthreading technologies are one of the best way to maximize the performance of simulation-led design workflows. Tests show that enabling hyperthreading reduces solve times for many types of simulations.

The downside of multiple CPU cores running faster is more heat, which can be a problem without the proper cooling technologies. As opposed to passive cooling systems or added fans, workstations that leverage active liquid cooling technologies are the best way to ensure that CPUs run cool even at aggressively higher clock speeds.

Offload to Increase ProductivityBeyond the big focus on analysis-led design, new digital workflows also need to support the push toward more real-ism, which calls for an uptick in rendering work. Like simu-lation, rendering is computationally intensive work, thus it can benefit from scaling the number of cores along with support for hyperthreading. In most cases, doubling up on the number of cores can cut render times in half for most applications, including ray trace rendering.

Even so, if engineers are doing a lot of rendering work, they can tie up their systems for hours, even days, which prevents them from doing other modeling or productiv-ity work. Another option is to customize the workstation environment and workflow so that it offloads rendering tasks to GPUs or even a separate and dedicated render-ing machine, both of which are configured to work as an integrated solution.

Complement this approach with a 4K ultra high defini-tion TV monitor and engineers have the optimal set up for creating highly realistic virtual prototypes that can serve as the centerpiece for new digital-driven design workflows.

BOXX Technologies’

GoBOXX MXL VR has the graphics horsepower

to drive demanding immersive experiences

in product design or architecture.

6 MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow

NEED A NEW WORKFLOW?

As digitalization meets engineering workflows, sophisticated 3D modeling, simulation and rendering work is grabbing center stage, yet the average workstation is simply not equipped to play a starring role.

BOXX Technologies comes at the prob-lem with a custom workflow approach that is specifically designed to empower engineers and reclaim productivity. BOXX workstations can be configured to address specific engineering problems and workflow considerations, help-ing to optimize digital designs by reducing wait times for CAD, rendering and simulation applications.

For example, as popular CAD tools like CATIA and SOLIDWORKS are tapped to create increasingly complex and highly detailed models, they require top-of-line horse-power to run jobs efficiently. However, because CAD mod-eling is a single-threaded task, throwing additional cores at the problem doesn’t sufficiently resolve productivity

bottlenecks. That leaves engineers still grappling with ridiculously long rebuild times, slow assembly openings, and sluggish model interactivity, which greatly impedes their ability to deliver on project goals.

Designed to SolveBOXX overclocked workstations are specifically designed to solve this problem. Featuring a safely overclocked Intel Core i7 processor running at 4.4GHz as opposed to the standard 4.0GHz, the BOXX APEXX 2 operates as the fastest CAD and 3D design system. The compact APEXX 2 supports up to two, full-length NVIDIA Quadro GPUs, 64GB of RAM, and SSD storage, along with liquid cooling capabilities to keep its overclocked processors safe. In SOLIDWORKS performance benchmarks built into SOLIDWORKS 2017, the system was shown to have an overall performance rating of 49.6 com-pared to 53.6 on a stock system.

For more advanced rendering and simulation applica-tions, the APEXX 4 can be configured with an overclocked Intel Core i7 processor, up to four full-length NVIDIA Quadro GPUs, and maximum memory and SSD storage. Benchmark testing with SOLIDWORKS Simulation found that multi-threaded performance gains level off after 10

cores, so the recommended solution is an overclocked eight-core or 10-core APEXX workstation.

More intense simulation and rendering work requires a different approach. BOXX offers another workflow whereby simulation and rendering workloads can be

offloaded to a dedicated system—either the renderPRO option or a render farm. renderPRO functions as a rendering sidekick, configurable with up to 36 CPU cores (72 threads) to tackle advanced simulation or rendering work without tak-ing over an engineer’s workstation. renderPRO 2, designed

How to build an engineering workflow that thrives on digitalization disruption

renderPRO 2 is a complete computer powered by dual Intel XEON processors for up to 36 CPU cores (72 threads).

MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow 7

for 24/7 maximum workload operation and to be quiet enough to remain deskside, enables engineers to shift computationally intensive ren-dering or simulation tasks to a dedicated resource, freeing up their own workstation to keep doing design or other productivity work. renderPRO is focused on rendering, with common configurations packing dual 10 or 12 core pro-cessors, 32GB of memory, and 120GB of SSD storage.

Putting the Workflow to the TestOrange County Choppers (OCC), the custom motorcycle shop that rose to fame in the early 2000s as part of the American Chopper reality TV series, is turbocharging its digi-tal design workflow with the BOXX APEXX 1 workstation/ren-derPRO dynamic duo. The design team, which relies heavily on 3D CAD, simulation, animation and rendering tools, has been able to expand its rendering efforts and recoup engi-neering productivity thanks to the BOXX solution.

“I’m thrilled with the speed of the APEXX 1 and the renderPRO,” says OCC Senior Designer Jason Pohl. “It allows us so much more freedom. I’m not sweating over the computer waiting for it. It waits for me, which is how it should be.”

Along with its full range of workstation configurations, BOXX also works with leading ISVs to ensure the full range of digital design tools are optimized to run in its environment. Among the leading tools tested and certi-fied for the BOXX workflow are CATIA, Solid Edge, Inventor, ANSYS, SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Maya and KeyShot, among others.

WORKFLOW FOR THE ON-THE-GO ENGINEER

Today’s on-the-go business workflows mean that engineers are often designing, even doing a

quick simulation, when they’re not at their desk and maybe not even in the office.

Whether it’s the need to collaborate on design reviews from a customer site or putting

the finishing touches on a design from home after

the kids are in bed, modern-day engineers want the flexibility to have access

to workstation-class horsepower

whenever and wherever they might be working.

That means all of the latest and greatest horsepower—multicore CPUs, overclocking capabilities, high-end graphics support, and solid state drive (SSD) storage need to be available in a mobile workstation configuration. BOXX Technologies has a full line of mobile workstations, from the GoBOXX SLM series of compact, ultra-thin high performance offerings, to the GoBOXX MXL models that offer true desktop class, professional workstation horsepower. Another option for engineers looking for the flexibility to access key design applications and data remotely is BOXX Pro VDI™, the manufacturer’s line of both GRID-based and XDI-based optimized configurations. XDI (Xtreme Desktop Infrastructure) systems are based on Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) technology and can host up to eight concurrent engineers on a single, centralized server. XDI 8401R-V, the first overclocked VDI system, features the same safely overclocked Intel Core i7 found in BOXX APEXX workstations and—along with remote application access, security, ease of manageability and high-speed shared storage—provides engineers with unparalleled bare metal workstation performance. Another key XDI advantage is the use of NVIDIA vDGA rather than vGPU. Ideal for working with graphics, vDGA allows a virtual desktop to access a high performance graphics card for faster frame rates in the application viewport. Economically, it also serves to eliminate licensing costs associated with NVIDIA GRID Software.

BOXX Pro VDI™ solutions can

host up to eight concurrent

engineers on a single, centralized

server.

MORE INFORMATIONFor more on how Orange County Choppers supercharged their workflow, download “The Ultimate Engineering Workflow” at digitaleng.news/de/occ

BOXX APEXX 2

The Ultimate Engineering Workflow

8 MAKING THE CASE for a New Computing Workflow

In today’s modern era, businesses are judicious with corporate spending, which means getting the green light for an engineering workstation upgrade is never a sure thing.

As with most business expenditures, engineer-ing organizations need to make a sound business

case for how and why they will benefit from additional workstation horsepower. More processing power, coupled with advanced graphics capabilities and robust storage, are the core pillars of a computing foundation that can support sophisticated simulation throughout the entire design cycle. At the same time, such a foundation lays the groundwork for next-generation technologies like vir-tual reality and augmented reality that are bringing state-of-the-art realism to new digital design workflows.

Engineering organizations that don’t make the leap put a lot on the line, including their ability to capitalize on innovation. In an age where novel products separate

the leaders from the pack, aging technology can limit development efforts, increasing the risk of lost competi-tive advantage. Moreover, without sufficient workstation horsepower, engineering organizations remained trapped in outdated workflows, hamstrung by their inability to tap into the latest simulation and modeling tools.

Calculate Your Return on InvestmentThere is also a more quantifiable case to be made for upgrading workstation infrastructure in pursuit of digital workflows. Consider 3D CAD, which is essential for any digital design workflow. Because all CAD applications are single threaded, meaning they can’t exploit more than one CPU core, the only way to squeeze out more performance from a workstation is by overclocking, which can acceler-ate simple CAD tasks by as much as 20%.

For the purposes of doing the math on the value of an overclocked workstation, consider a SOLIDWORKS user, who makes roughly $43 an hour, using a workstation based on an Intel Core i7 running at 3.5GHz. If that user needs to rebuild a model six times a day, at 10 minutes per rebuild, they are looking at about an hour of non-productive time daily. One engineer offline for five hours a week due to system processing downtime costs $215, but extrapolate that out to 100 users, and companies are looking at a $21,500 weekly expense associated with non-productivity. That same scenario with an overclocked work-station would equate to only $17,200 in wasted downtime.

The savings over time is also pretty significant. One user migrated to an overclocked workstation would save a company $2,236 a year or $6,708 for three years; upgrading 100 users would save $223,600 annually or $670,800 over three years.

Learn more: boxx.com/landing-pages/xtreme-roi

Crunching the numbers could greenlight upgrade expenses

OVERCLOCKING SAVES THOUSANDS

Even a small, three-person engineering team moving to overclocked workstations would save

the company more than $20,000 over three years.

PROVE YOUR ROI

$2,236/year $6,708 x 3 Years = $20,124

vs.