aiven in MDESIGN: The AI assistant for calculations
This technical article explains how the AI chatbot aiven in MDESIGN supports MDESIGN in their day-to-day work, what underlying technologies are used, and what role AI assistants will play in engineering in the future.
AI in Mechanical Engineering: From a Trend to a Strategic Necessity
Artificial intelligence is currently transforming the field of mechanical engineering in a fundamental way. What was considered a technology of the future just a few years ago is now increasingly becoming a prerequisite for competitiveness. Many companies are already allocating budgets specifically to AI initiatives. Traditional software solutions alone are often no longer sufficient.
aiven – Support exactly when you need it
With the release MDESIGN , aiven was integrated directly into the calculation software for the first time. Since then, the chatbot has been used as an assistant more than 2,000 times. This is a clear indication of just how great the need is for intelligent support in day-to-day engineering work.
aiven guides users directly through their work processes. No additional tools, no disruption in workflow, and no need to spend time searching for documentation or external sources. Instead, it creates a new way of interacting with the software: direct, context-sensitive, and intuitive.
Knowledge exists, but it isn't always accessible
In practice, a typical pattern emerges time and again:
In many companies , calculation software is not used on a daily basis, but rather on a project-by-project basis or irregularly.
That has consequences.
Engineers and designers often find themselves in a situation where they have to familiarize themselves with the process all over again before each new calculation:
- Which parameters are critical?
- Which standard applies in this case?
- What was the correct procedure in the software again?
This constant "checking in" takes time—and, above all, focus.
Added to this is a structural shift:
A new generation of engineers is growing up with AI applications. They are accustomed to accessing knowledge“on demand” rather than memorizing it for the long term. At the same time, they often lack the years of experience needed to immediately interpret calculations with confidence.
This is exactly where aiven really shines.
Understand faster, work more efficiently
aiven acts as a smart knowledge assistant that provides support precisely in these moments. Instead of sifting through documentation or asking colleagues, users get answers to their questions right while MDESIGN .
In concrete terms, this means:
Getting started with calculations and methods becomes much easier.
The learning curve is noticeably shorter.
And, above all, there is more time for what really matters: the actual engineering work.
aiven helps quickly resolve uncertainties and clarify relationships. This not only boosts efficiency but also improves the quality of work.
Preserve knowledge instead of losing it
Another key aspect lies in how knowledge is managed within companies.
Technical expertise is built up over many years, but is often lost when experienced employees leave the company. This risk affects nearly all engineering departments.
With aiven, it is now possible for the first time to make internal knowledge accessible in a structured way and ensure its long-term availability.
- Empirical data becomes indirectly accessible
- Processes become more transparent
- Knowledge remains within the company, regardless of individual employees
As a result, AI assistants not only provide support in everyday life, but also serve as strategic tools to combat knowledge loss.
Technological Approach: Focus on Safety and Quality
Unlike many well-known AI systems, aiven does not rely on external models or internet data. The chatbot was developed entirely within the MDESIGN.
This means:
- No access to external data sources
- No disclosure of sensitive information
- complete control over content and quality
The underlying expertise comes exclusively from the MDESIGN, built on over 40 years of experience in engineering calculations.
Looking Ahead: From Assistant to Co-Engineer
Currently, aiven primarily provides support with comprehension questions, user guidance, and technical classification. But the development goes much further than that.
Already today, users are asking questions like:
“Can you evaluate and interpret my results?”
This feature has not yet been fully implemented on purpose, but it clearly points the way forward.
In the future, aiven will not only respond but also actively provide support:
- when preparing calculations
- when selecting suitable models
- when interpreting results
- and, in the future, also in the semi-automated execution of calculations
As a result, the chatbot is evolving from an assistant into a true co-engineer.
MDESIGN the Foundation for AI in Engineering
A key factor in the success of such developments lies in the data set.
AI assistants are only as good as the knowledge they are based on. And this is exactly where MDESIGN shines:
- validated calculation methods
- standard-compliant methods
- structured technical data
- decades of experience
Combined with the ability to integrate and leverage a company’s proprietary knowledge, thereby safeguarding it for the future. This combination makes MDESIGN ideal foundation for future AI-powered engineering processes.
Conclusion: Efficiency, safety, and sustainability all in one
With aiven, MDESIGN demonstrates how engineering software is evolving:
—moving away from mere calculation tools toward intelligent systems that actively provide support.
The added value lies not only in the technology itself, but in its impact:
- less training required
- more actionable knowledge
- more efficient processes
- greater safety in use
- greater security for the future
And above all:
A clear positioning in a market where AI-powered assistance is increasingly becoming a key competitive factor.