Create Better, Safer Designs by Interfacing CAD Models with Algor Analysis Capabilities

Gerhard Bosch
President
Bosch Engineering
Oldenzaal, The Netherlands

With Algor’s Release 12, it has never been easier or faster to simulate physical behavior of a part on a computer using a CAD solid model, assembly or wireframe.

Today’s global economy demands that engineers create better, safer designs in ever shorter time frames. Computer-aided engineering tools, such as the finite element software offered by Algor, Inc., facilitate and accelerate the design cycle by replacing time-consuming and expensive laboratory tests with efficient computer simulations using models based on CAD geometry.

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a computerized method for simulating how a real world object will react to physical phenomena. Algor’s CAD interfacing tools link CAD solid models, assemblies and wireframes to a wide range of modeling and FEA tools enabling engineers to more quickly create safe, efficient designs.

Recent enhancements to Algor’s product line make interfacing a CAD model to Algor easier and faster than ever before. In addition to introducing the Release 12 version of the entire Algor software line, Algor is offering new technology to enable seamless integration between AutoCAD and Algor, thus expanding Algor’s range of automatic CAD interfacing options.

The Advantages of Leveraging Finite Element Analysis and Mechanical Event Simulation

Algor’s CAD interfacing tools work with Algor’s full complement of analysis capabilities including linear and nonlinear stress, vibration and natural frequencies, heat transfer, electrostatics, fluid flow, piping design and composite materials and Mechanical Event Simulation for Virtual Prototyping. In a Mechanical Event Simulation, engineers use Algor’s Accupak/VE to realistically simulate motion in mechanical events, eliminating the need to input a force. Accupak/VE computes and shows resulting stresses on the computer model at each instant in time and replaces physical prototype testing with virtual prototype testing because it performs linear and nonlinear static and dynamic finite element stress analysis with motion for physics-based Mechanical Event Simulation.

Algor Achieves a New Level of User-Friendliness

Algor’s Release 12 makes CAD interfacing and FEA as easy as possible. Release 12 software features an all-new single user interface with real-time data checking to prevent input errors during a finite element analysis, improved data input screens, global units system, material properties management system, database support, context-sensitive help, improved engineering capabilities and more.

CAD Interfacing Options

Algor’s full suite of software is available to AutoCAD users whether you work with Algor from within AutoCAD or work with a native or universal CAD solid or wireframe file.

Algor offers new technology that enables you to work within AutoCAD when AutoCAD and Algor are on the same computer. With this technology "Algor: Mesh" is a simple menu selection that launches a "CAD Solid Model Interface" in which preliminary FEA surface meshing is performed. Superdraw III, Algor’s single user interface and precision finite element model-building tool, can then be activated to access all of Algor’s modeling, automatic meshing and analysis options.

When you leverage new technology for seamless AutoCAD-to-Algor interfacing, the "CAD Solid Model Interface" window enables you to view your model, as shown with this drill model, and create a surface mesh, which will in turn define the solid FEA mesh.

Alternatively, Algor can easily import native CAD geometry files, such as Parasolid or ACIS, when Algor is operated on a computer other than the one on which the CAD system is installed.

In addition, Algor supports universal files, such as IGES or STL, and offers the ability to view and verify the quality of universal file geometry before FEA meshing.

All of these methods of CAD interfacing link you to Algor’s automatic and advanced modeling tools for quick and easy surface meshing; mesh customization with local and global refinement options; automatic solid FEA brick, tetrahedral and hybrid meshing, with bricks on the surface and tetrahedra inside; options to combine multiple element types into one model; Algor’s full complement of analysis capabilities and more.

Surface Meshing and Enhancement

Surface modeling with Algor begins with creating your preliminary FEA surface mesh. Algor enables quick, easy control of your surface mesh density with an easy-to-use sliding mesh control. Then, many engineers customize their model’s surface mesh with local and global refinement options to meet individual engineering needs. Mesh refinement options can be used to reduce the number of elements or increase mesh density in areas of interest for more accuracy.

The "Create Pre-Mesh" window enables you to initiate meshing and customize your preliminary FEA surface mesh with a sliding control.

For multi-group models such as CAD assemblies and models using multiple materials, the "Surface Match" option enables engineers to match the surface mesh on the shared interface between groups to ensure element connectivity. Each group within a multi-group model can also be meshed separately.

Solid Meshing Choices

Algor’s automatic mesh engines offer the flexibility of three types of FEA solid meshes: tetrahedral; all-brick or hybrid, with bricks on the surface and tetrahedra inside. For hybrid meshes, the types of transition elements between bricks and tetrahedra can also be specified. By working from the surface inward, Algor’s mesh engines create a higher-quality, less dense solid mesh and retain the best-shaped elements on the model's surface for greater FEA accuracy.

Element Types for Speed and Special Engineering Functions

The capability to integrate multiple element types within the same model enables engineers to optimize processing time and represent geometry with the elements that are most appropriate. Algor offers special element types to simulate phenomena such as impact, contact, damping, coupling and hydrodynamics (for fluid-structure interaction). In addition, kinematic elements can be used to make a Mechanical Event Simulation using a CAD solid model feasible. These rigid-body finite elements are used in areas outside of engineering concern to drastically reduce analysis run times while enabling you to maintain a detailed solid model with a large number of elements.

Superdraw III, Algor’s single user interface, gives you access to all of Algor’s modeling, automatic meshing, preprocessing and analysis options. Each part of an assembly is assigned a unique element group number, as shown with this drill assembly, to facilitate mesh enhancement and analysis set-up. Material properties and boundary conditions can be applied with just a few mouse clicks in Superdraw III.

Capabilities for Your Engineering Needs

Algor offers a wide variety of options in order to suit your engineering needs. Algor’s CAD interfacing software connects you to Algor’s full range of modeling, finite element analysis and Mechanical Event Simulation for Virtual Prototyping software to help you solve your engineering problems and design better products.

Gerhard Bosch is an independent consultant and president of Bosch Engineering, Oldenzaal, The Netherlands.