FEA Model Data Management Made Easier with New Data Control Panel

Michael L. Bussler
President
Algor, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA

A new Model Data Control (MDC) panel, introduced last spring in the Release 12 version of Algor’s FEA and Mechanical Event Simulation (MES) software, provides a well-integrated environment for managing model data from conception to results visualization. Part of the Superdraw III interface, the MDC panel serves as a powerful access point for all of Algor’s CAD/CAE interoperability, modeling, analysis and visualization tools as well as the first complete material data management system for FEA. Therefore, mechanical engineers have push-button access to both automatic and advanced user-defined FEA model controls, streamlining the FEA process for faster, more complete analysis results.

Algor’s universal Model Data Control panel in Superdraw III, a single user interface and finite element model-building tool, provides access to all of Algor’s design and analysis tools. Associative grouping allows for virtually unlimited analysis scenarios. Element and material selection, as shown here, is just a two-click operation.

The MDC panel provides several buttons that enable data control/input for all aspects of analysis. Engineers can choose a model’s unit of measurement, selecting from English or metric systems or providing custom definitions, with just a mouse click. In addition, the MDC panel introduces the concept of associative grouping. With associative grouping, models can contain several groups, which are each defined by different element types with unique or associative material properties, applied surface traction and global (analysis) switches. The integrity of an imported CAD model is also a button click, as is analysis type and results viewing.

All MDC panel selections lead engineers to Windows-compliant menus and data entry screens that have clear, recognizable fields labeled with common engineering terms so our customers can concentrate on their designs, not software navigation. In addition, the data entry screens help to prevent input errors by checking entered data against allowable values. Context-sensitive help can be accessed with just a mouse click.

A single mouse click in the MDC panel also can point engineers to the Material Library Manager, which stores material property information for use by all Algor processors in a centralized database. The Material Library Manager includes a default library with material property values drawn from standard engineering references for a variety of common materials and provides the option to create customized libraries, including nonlinear stress strain curves, of often-used material data.

To apply material data to a finite element model, engineers need only select a group of elements in the MDC panel, click on the "Material" field and point to a material name in the desired material library. The libraries preserve the material's original unit system and automatically convert it to the active model's defined unit system. The model's material composition is always known because it is listed in the MDC panel.

The MDC panel, Material Library Manager and other FEA model data management improvements included with Release 12 have earned positive feedback from engineers worldwide. Algor will continue to respond to customer needs for more integrated FEA and MES tools in future software releases.