Modeling stresses at metal's grain level

Finite element analysis has become a standard tool for ensuring the structural integrity of components such as turbine blades and diesel engines. So why do auto companies pay huge royalties and the largest U.S. companies spend about $30 billion a year on warranties? Because conventional macroscopic FEA doesn’t really account for part material processing variability, says Loren Nasser, CEO of Vextec Corp., Brentwood, Tenn. “For instance, say you have produced 10,000 parts. Common sense tells you that in the real world, the parts will never be processed exactly identically.” ... (READ MORE... LINK TO MACHINE DESIGN ARTICLE)