ALGOR’S DATABASE TRANSLATION UTILITY ALLOWS ENGINEERS TO QUICKLY AND EASILY CREATE CUSTOM APPLICATIONS

The 2-D geometry of this perforated pipe (top) was rolled into a tubular 3-D model using the database translation utility and a Microsoft Access routine (middle-right). The model was then analyzed for stresses and deformation using Algor FEA software (bottom-left).

PITTSBURGH, PA – June 09, 2000 – Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced the release of a new database translation utility included with all of its software products. The database translation utility enables engineers to translate Algor model files between the native Xbase format and Microsoft Access databases or a comma-separated value format, which is compatible with Microsoft Excel and many third-party applications. The new feature enables advanced users to edit model data easily or automate analyses through custom applications.

"Engineers may wish to directly modify the model data when they, for instance, apply sophisticated pressure distributions in an analysis or globally alter geometric properties," said Michael L. Bussler, president of Algor. "Prior to this release, they would need to transfer model data into a specific format, which meant they had to know a separate programming language to accomplish the transfer. Now, they can work directly with the data in familiar Windows-based programs instead of learning another programming language."

Accessed through Superdraw III, engineers are now free to write Access macros or Visual Basic programs to assist them in performing repetitive tasks, conducting parametric or variational FEA studies and optimizing designs. This development also simplifies the performance of FEA and Mechanical Event Simulations that entail multiphysics, which require applying the results from one engineering analysis as input for another analysis. Before this development, engineers needed to learn and use an Xbase programming language, such as Microsoft’s FoxPro or Algor’s EAGLE to work with input data. Now, engineers can automate and drive Algor software using standard Microsoft Office tools.

Users of the new database translation utility should refer to Algor’s documentation on programming with Algor for complete descriptions of model data and examples using many common programming languages. Algor customers with current technical support and maintenance agreements can request a software update, including the database translation utility, through Algor’s web sites (www.algor.com and www.feaincad.com) or an Algor account representative. All of Algor’s software product line is available for the Windows 95, 98, NT and 2000 operating systems.

Algor has been a leader in the engineering software industry since introducing FEA for PCs in 1984 and interfacing with CAD systems in 1985. The company provides innovative, affordable and easy-to-use software products that have enabled 20,000 engineers in 60 countries to create safe, efficient, cost-effective designs. Algor also offers superior educational support and customer service that includes the use of state-of-the-art Internet audio/video technology for "Web Courses," which provide step-by-step software instruction, and free public "Webcasts" in live demonstration format.

Algor’s product line features FEA-based Accupak/VE Mechanical Event Simulation software. Accupak/VE reduces the need for physical prototyping and eliminates the need to input dynamic loads by determining the motion, flexing and resulting stresses of a part or assembly at each instant of an event. Algor’s proprietary kinematic element technology makes performing Mechanical Event Simulations using CAD solid parts and assemblies practical for realistic, accurate results. Engineers can use Algor’s InCAD^Plus and InCAD DesignPak products to capture exact CAD geometry from popular CAD systems within Algor seamlessly. The company also offers linear stress, vibration, heat transfer, electrostatic, fluid flow, composite materials and piping systems analysis tools. Algor’s software interchanges data with products from ANSYS, Inc. (Nasdaq:ANSS), Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), CADKEY Corporation, MSC.Software Corporation (NYSE:MNS), Parametric Technology Corporation, Structural Dynamics Research Corporation, Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:UGS), SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq:DASTY) company, and others.