Digital engineering is a holistic approach to product engineering that harnesses the power of digital data and connectivity. It allows the creation of intricate digital models that encompass every aspect of complex products or systems.
Rocla, part of the Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG), has embraced the digital engineering concept in the development of their unique precast concrete products such as seperators, filters and purifiers for the grease, oil, water and petrochemical industries and sanitation units.
This concept places a great emphasis on collaboration, agility, and high performance throughout a product’s entire lifecycle. Digital engineering, quite clearly will take center stage as a pivotal driver of progress.
How Does Digital Product Engineering Work? Digital product engineering comprises five key phases: ideation, design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.
These phases enable businesses to define their product goals, create visually appealing designs, code for scalability and performance, conduct rigorous quality assurance testing and provide ongoing support based on user feedback.
Rocla’s seperators, filters and purifiers are perfect example of the implementation of digital product engineering. These products evolved from our engineering expertise and excellence and through our partnership with Alltrap Engineering, the local importers of the ecoTechnic® range of products from Austria. Through this partnership we were able to ideate, research, design and produce a range of filters and purifiers that will serve our local market, with applications across many sectors of industry.
“Another product that aptly shows the benefits of digital product engineering is our lightweight concrete sanitation units. The concrete panels, which are light and easy to handle, have been manufactured from a newly patented concrete technology, with all components having hand grips, enabling top structures to be erected in mountainous areas in 15 minutes” said Simon Wells, Business Manager for Sanitation at Rocla.
“The design and development of this product required extensive research, testing and collaboration between our engineers and all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the sanitation units we manufacture for different communities are constructed to solve their particular problems. The sanitation units have been well received, particularly in rural areas and educational establishments where human dignity is the key word” concluded Andre Labuschagne, Product Development Manager at Rocla. This comprehensive process ensures that products meet and exceed customer expectations.
Importance of Digital Engineering Digital engineering offers numerous benefits, making it an essential process for business success. It accelerates time to market, enhances the user experience by applying user-centric design principles, and gives companies a competitive edge through innovation and collaboration. Furthermore, it reduces operational costs, as innovative strategies streamline product development and improve customer support.
Industries that Benefit from Digital Engineering Digital engineering’s adaptability makes it relevant across various sectors. In government and the military, it has driven monumental changes, inspiring collaboration and innovation through a formalised approach.
The construction industry has witnessed a transformation through Building Information Modeling (BIM), while renewable energy sources rely on digital engineering to optimise designs and increase energy efficiency.
In manufacturing, it is instrumental in designing more efficient and sustainable products, minimising the need for physical tests. As technology advances, businesses across various sectors are reaping the rewards of digital engineering.
