Automated Engineering
Calculations & Reports
Convert complex Excel-based engineering calculations into validated, automated systems that generate professional reports and integrate directly with CAD.
The Problem: Excel-Based Engineering Doesn't Scale
Many engineering teams rely on Excel spreadsheets for critical calculations. Over time, these spreadsheets become complex, interconnected, and difficult to maintain—containing decades of engineering knowledge locked in a fragile format.
The BottleNeck
Spreadsheets become fragile and opaque over time, creating critical risks.
- Hidden Dependencies: Fragile logic that breaks easily when modified.
- No Validation: High risk of inputs causing calculation errors.
- No Audit Trail: No history of who calculated what or which rules were used.
- Disconnected Data: Manual copy-paste to CAD creates transcription errors.
Smart Automation
- Deterministic Engine Logic is rebuilt as a reliable engine that validates every input and handles branching complexity.
- CAD-Linked Calculation Engine Calculation results directly drive CAD parameters, drawings, and reports — no copy-paste.
- Audit-Ready Reports Automatically generate detailed PDF/Excel reports showing full derivation and pass/fail status.
What You Can Expect
Validated Outputs
Zero calculation errors with built-in range checking and unit consistency.
Professional Reports
Audit-ready submittals generated instantly with full derivation history.
CAD Integration
Results drive geometry directly, eliminating manual data entry.
Audit Trails
Complete history of inputs, calculations, and outputs for compliance.
How It Works
From fragile spreadsheets to robust systems.
1. Logic Extraction
We decouple engineering rules from spreadsheet cells to create a clear, documented model, removing ambiguity and hidden dependencies.
2. Deterministic Engine
Logic is rebuilt as a standalone engine with input validation, ensuring outputs are always predictable (no manual overrides).
3. Report Generation
Automated generation of audit-ready technical documentation with full input parameter listing and derivation history.
4. CAD Integration
Validated results drive geometry directly, eliminating manual data entry and enabling automatic recalculation.
Why Not Just Fix the Spreadsheet?
Excel works for small, isolated calculations — but becomes a risk when engineering logic grows, calculations interconnect, and outputs affect manufacturing.
With Excel-Based Engineering
- Logic is buried inside formulas that are hard to audit or validate
- Manual edits introduce silent errors that go unnoticed
- No enforced checks before calculations are reused or shared
- Difficult to trace how a number was calculated weeks or months later
With Automated Engineering Systems
- Engineering rules are explicit, versioned, and centrally managed
- Every calculation is validated deterministically before output
- Outputs stay consistent across reports, drawings, and revisions
- Full traceability from inputs → formulas → final results
Types of Calculations We Automate
We automate calculations that directly impact safety, cost, and manufacturability
Mechanical
Load analysis, member sizing, connection design
Thermal & Fluid
Heat transfer, insulation, HVAC sizing
Electrical
Cable sizing, voltage drop, protection systems
Mfg & Costing
Material takeoffs, weight estimates, cost projections
Excel Spreadsheets vs. Automated Calculation Systems
See why engineering teams are moving away from spreadsheet-based calculations.
| Aspect | Excel Spreadsheets | Automated System (FDES) |
|---|---|---|
| Error Rate | ~88% of spreadsheets contain errors (research). Formulas break silently when cells are edited. | Zero formula errors. Logic is locked, validated, and version-controlled. |
| Calculation Speed | 30–60 minutes per manual calculation cycle | Under 5 minutes with automated input validation |
| Audit Trail | None. No way to trace who changed what, or when. | Full traceability from inputs → formulas → outputs with timestamps |
| Report Generation | Manual formatting. Copy-paste into Word/PDF templates. | Professional reports generated automatically in your branded format |
| CAD Integration | None. Engineers manually transfer values from Excel to CAD. | Calculation outputs automatically drive CAD model parameters |
| Knowledge Retention | Locked in one person's spreadsheet. Lost when they leave. | Engineering logic captured in maintainable, documented systems |
| Scalability | Breaks down with complexity. Multiple interconnected files become unmanageable. | Handles thousands of variants with consistent, reliable results |
Is Calculation Automation Right for You?
This service is ideal for engineering teams that rely on spreadsheets for critical calculations.
Structural & Mechanical Engineers
Your team performs repetitive design calculations in Excel—and you've had costly errors slip through when someone edits the wrong cell.
Compliance-Driven Industries
You need auditable calculation reports that meet regulatory standards, with full traceability from inputs to outputs.
Teams with Knowledge Silos
Only one or two senior engineers know the calculation logic. When they're unavailable, projects stall.
CAD-Integrated Workflows
You want calculations to automatically drive CAD model parameters—eliminating the manual copy-paste between Excel and your CAD tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you automate calculations from our existing Excel spreadsheets?
Do generated reports comply with engineering standards?
Can calculations update automatically when CAD models change?
What output formats are supported?
What Engineering Teams Achieve
Elimination of manual calculation errors
Faster report generation vs. Excel
Audit trail for every calculation
"We had decades of engineering knowledge trapped in fragile spreadsheets. FDES extracted the logic, validated it, and now our calculations run in seconds with full traceability. Our audit submissions went from days to hours."
Industries Using This Service
Replace Fragile Spreadsheets with Robust Automation
We review one of your existing Excel calculations and show how it becomes a validated system.