ADVANCES IN MECHANICAL EVENT SIMULATION TECHNOLOGY PROVIDE ENGINEERS WITH AN EASIER METHOD FOR MODELING MECHANISMS AND JOINTS

ADVANCES IN MECHANICAL EVENT SIMULATION TECHNOLOGY PROVIDE ENGINEERS WITH AN EASIER METHOD FOR MODELING MECHANISMS AND JOINTS

Engineers setting up a Mechanical Event Simulation can specify rotational constraints on Algor’s enhanced actuator elements. This illustration, involving a cone clutch, shows how an engineer could constrain the elements so that each end rotates in unison. The actuator elements are shown with blue lines. The elements are anchored at either end. When the clutch is engaged and turns with the shaft, the elements turn, as well.

PITTSBURGH, PA - July 25, 2000 – Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced enhancements to its pioneering Mechanical Event Simulation (MES) software, providing new ways to impose motion during analysis of mechanisms and joints.

New capabilities that provide engineers with the freedom to rotate actuator elements and apply stop-and-start motion to FEA models improve the versatility of Algor’s MES.

Algor introduced actuator elements to MES earlier this year and bolsters them with an improved version that allows the engineer to set rotational constraints. Through the use of actuator elements, prescribed rotations and prescribed displacements, Algor’s Accupak/MES and Accupak/VE analysis packages allow engineers to simulate more realistic and functional mechanisms and joints.

"Engineers now can specify axial and planar rotational constraints for actuator elements in their assemblies and mechanisms," said Michael L. Bussler, president of Pittsburgh-based Algor. "When setting up an MES, the engineer can ensure that both ends of an actuator rotate in unison and that they retain their orientation relative to each other throughout the simulation."

When Algor introduced actuator elements to MES, the technology allowed engineers for the first time to specify contraction and extension values over time to drive motion between connected parts of an assembly. The new rotational capability provides more freedom in modeling mechanical situations.

Also contributing to Algor’s increasingly robust MES software, prescribed rotation and prescribed displacement allow engineers to impose motion intermittently when setting up an MES. These enhancements mean motion and displacement can be applied and removed several times throughout the course of an analysis, as in the application and release of a brake pedal.

The new features come with Algor’s Accupak/MES and Accupak/VE software, which works with Windows NT/95/98/2000. Algor customers with current technical support and maintenance agreements can request a complete software update, including the new MES enhancements, through Algor’s Web site (www.algor.com) or an Algor account representative.

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 seamlessly capture exact CAD geometry from popular CAD systems within Algor. 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.