Here in the 21st century computers have advanced to the point where we don't need to physically prototype things anymore - it can, and has been, done digitally for well over a decade now.
And here lies a seductive trap. I am a test/characterization engineer. That's where the design simulations pile up against actual characterization data. I have lost track of the number of times a design engineer asked in all seriousness which was correct: the measured data or the simulation. Yes, bad measurements can be made but that's not my point. I see younger engineers that implicitly believe simulation data without questioning the limitations of their models. Some of them do not seem to recognize that a simulation is not reality, no matter how accurate the model. This can lead to lax verification which can ultimately lead to catastrophic failures as seen in the 787. This calls for strong oversight (e.g. management, good luck with that) and some significant targeted prototyping. As with any tool, recognizing its limitations is essential to a successful application.
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Here in the 21st century computers have advanced to the point where we don't need to physically prototype things anymore - it can, and has been, done digitally for well over a decade now.
And here lies a seductive trap. I am a test/characterization engineer. That's where the design simulations pile up against actual characterization data. I have lost track of the number of times a design engineer asked in all seriousness which was correct: the measured data or the simulation. Yes, bad measurements can be made but that's not my point. I see younger engineers that implicitly believe simulation data without questioning the limitations of their models. Some of them do not seem to recognize that a simulation is not reality, no matter how accurate the model. This can lead to lax verification which can ultimately lead to catastrophic failures as seen in the 787. This calls for strong oversight (e.g. management, good luck with that) and some significant targeted prototyping. As with any tool, recognizing its limitations is essential to a successful application.
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."