Using Analysis Software in the Design Process

Using Analysis Software in the Design Process


	Bob Williams Product Manager ALGOR, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA

Co-distributed CAD-FEA software makes it easy to take the first step.

This article was published in Machine Design, "Making Analysis a Design Feature", May 8, 2008.

In the past, choosing to use finite element analysis (FEA) software could be a tough decision. Companies had to consider legitimate objections including a steep learning curve, expensive hardware requirements and the challenge of working with computer-aided design (CAD) models. Some companies didn't want to buy both CAD and FEA; instead, they relied on traditional engineering methods and never really implemented computer-aided engineering (CAE).

Today, practically all of the old objections to using FEA are gone.

Analysis software is easier to use than ever before with Windows®-based interfaces that provide software wizards, online documentation, built-in error checking and many more ease-of-use features.
Computer hardware systems are affordable and powerful enough to run complex analyses.
Support for CAD is a given due to open systems and industry-standard file structures.

Shopping for FEA Software

After users try out the analysis capabilities that come with their CAD package and realize the benefits of FEA, they often want to upgrade and expand their analysis tools. When shopping for FEA software, it's important to choose the vendor that will be the best overall partner for your company's design and analysis needs now and in the future.

Some factors to consider include:

Technical capabilities – For the most common analysis needs – linear static stress, linear dynamics and heat transfer – all leading analysis software packages provide technical capabilities that are practically identical to the competition. Do you care about differences in specialized features? Or are other factors more important?

Customer service – Will service come directly from the vendor or only from resellers? What types of support will be available – phone, e-mail, fax and online or only a subset? Will your service requests go into a general queue to be addressed by different representatives each time or by the same reps who know you and your needs?

Training – Does the vendor provide a wide selection of training options including classroom seminars, distance learning and customized training? Are seminars offered near you? Are classes scheduled frequently? Are online resources available for interactive distance learning and downloading and viewing at your own pace?

Responsiveness – Does the vendor provide convenient means for user feedback? Are problems fixed in a timely manner? Are new features added in response to customer requests?

Updates – Most vendors charge an annual fee for software support and updates. How many meaningful updates are released per year? How many new and improved capabilities do you get for the money?

Value – Is it best to buy the lowest-priced software for only basic analysis capabilities? Or, for nearly the same investment, should you get extended capabilities including fluid flow and electrostatics, which allow you to perform more realistic multiphysics analysis – and get more value?

Thanks to these developments, FEA is now commonly used by design engineers. Even non-traditional users (such as medical doctors, university researchers and production managers) are successfully applying FEA to meet their needs.

Getting started with using analysis software is easy as well. If you have CAD, you probably already have access to FEA. In some cases, a CAD package includes analysis capabilities developed through an exclusive partnership with an analysis software vendor. Other solutions involve a software co-distribution agreement between CAD and FEA vendors. For example, our company has co-distribution agreements with several leading CAD companies (Alibre, Inc., IronCAD, Kubotek USA, Inc. and SpaceClaim Corporation) whereby ALGOR DesignCheck software, a tool for first-pass stress analysis, is included with the CAD packages and versions of the CAD software are available with ALGOR software.

The availability of FEA with your CAD package allows you to discover its power and value. As CAE users worldwide already know, FEA allows them to virtually test and predict real-world behavior of new and existing product designs. These virtual tests help engineers speed up time to market and make better, safer products at a lower cost by minimizing expensive physical prototype tests.

Models created in any popular CAD package can be analyzed in FEA software to virtually test and predict real-world behavior. These tests help engineers speed up time to market and make better, safer products at a lower cost. (Model courtesy of G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc.)

To FEA vendors, it's important for design engineers to just try analysis software – if only by performing a first-pass stress analysis. Because, once they directly experience the benefits of FEA, they will understand the additional benefits of studying an entire assembly instead of a single part or considering other effects such as heat transfer, fluid flow, electrostatics or a drop test involving motion and impact. That is, they will undoubtedly want to further integrate FEA into their design process.

So, what objection do you have to trying FEA today?

Engineers at G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc. performed linear static stress analyses of all components to improve the weight and strength of parts in the TARGA Ascent telemark ski binding.