White Paper: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Ditch Those Spreadsheets: Here's 4 Ways You Can Create Better Design Worksheets
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Most engineers begin their careers using Excel to perform quick calculations and document their design thinking. But as projects grow in complexity, Excel's limitations become clear—advanced math is hard to express, errors are tricky to catch, and team collaboration becomes inconvenient.
Engineers are turning to modern calculation software to realign processes into the way engineers think, and finding improvements in productivity, and even data reliability!
This paper highlights four areas where Maple Flow outperforms Excel as a calculation tool, purpose-built for engineering workflows. With Maple Flow, engineers can gather their supporting design data in one place, show their workings, and use built-in commands to streamline calculation steps. Whether you're optimizing a design or sharing calculations for review, Maple Flow offers a smarter, faster, and more intuitive way to work.
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Overview
The white paper discusses the limitations of using Excel for engineering calculations and advocates for the adoption of specialized software like Maple Flow. While Excel is widely used for data collection and basic arithmetic, it poses significant risks, particularly in complex spreadsheets where errors can easily occur. Research indicates that complex spreadsheets have an average error rate of 3.9% per cell, with 94% of documents containing at least one mistake. These errors often stem from hidden formulas, incorrect cell references, and a lack of visibility into the underlying calculations.
The paper highlights that engineering calculation sheets are more than just arithmetic; they must communicate design assumptions, requirements, and compliance with standards. A robust internal review process is essential for verifying assumptions and ensuring accuracy. However, Excel's design prioritizes end results over transparency, making it difficult for users to trace inputs and understand the rationale behind calculations. This lack of clarity can lead to costly mistakes and project delays.
In contrast, Maple Flow is presented as a powerful alternative that aligns with the way engineers think and work. It allows for the documentation of calculations alongside related reference materials, creating a living document that captures the entire project workflow. This feature not only minimizes errors but also retains organizational knowledge, which is crucial when team members leave or when questions arise about project decisions.
The paper concludes that as the demand for innovation increases, engineers need tools that facilitate accurate and efficient calculations. While Excel has its place, it is not suited for advanced engineering projects. Maple Flow offers a more effective solution, enabling engineers to document their thought processes, reduce risks, and ultimately deliver better products in less time and at lower costs.