Impact of the computer developments on the education of engineering graduates in electrical machines and drives

The impact of modern computer facilities, both hardware and software, on teaching in a classical field such as electrical machines and drives is discussed. It is shown how these developments can help to accomplish the fundamental aims and to make such a classical field as attractive as possible. Particular attention is given to the features of computer-aided design engineering, simulation, and testing insofar as they are of interest in connection with engineering education in this area. It is concluded that computer-aided techniques are extremely important in such a field in two senses: (1) due to their introduction, a broader and more general discussion of the phenomena is feasible, and many restrictions which were found in the classical system can be overcome; and (2) using the same techniques as in other fields of engineering, electrical machine and drive design becomes a very well elaborated example of design as such, rather than only a goal in itself