Design software takes on finite element analysis

An Alibre product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 28, 2003

The upcoming Alibre Design Professional application will include technology for finite element analysis (FEA) from Algor.

The upcoming Alibre Design Professional application will include technology for finite element analysis (FEA) from Algor.

With Algor DesignCheck FEA software, users can perform a first-pass engineering analysis to virtually test the behaviour of their product designs.

Available in Alibre Design Professional as an addon, Algor DesignCheck makes it easy to perform linear static stress analysis, evaluate results and prepare professional design reports.

Algor DesignCheck offers users one of two options at installation: a limited version that runs indefinitely and a 90-day version offering extended capabilities.

Either version can be extended in time or features through Algor for an additional charge.

For technical support, users can choose from the more traditional options, such as phone calls, e-mail and fax, or the Algor Assistant which is accessed directly from their Alibre Design contacts list.

As with the Alibre Assistant, the Algor Assistant provides a direct link to a customer service team that can provide expert assistance on demand via the Internet in chat and online collaboration sessions.

Algor customers can also benefit from the expanding partnership by purchasing Alibre Design and Alibre Design Professional directly from their Algor account manager.

Additionally, Algor will bundle Alibre Design Basic with all core software licenses.

Alibre Design Basic includes 3D solid modelling, secure data sharing and management and real-time team design in a single, comprehensive application.

"Through our partnership with Alibre, we're providing an FEA tool that enables users of Alibre Design Professional to advance the quality and accuracy of their designs", said Teresa Anania, Algor Vice President of Operations.

"Our goal is to make FEA accessible to every mechanical designer, and the ease-of-use of Algor DesignCheck and our industry-leading service tools make it possible for anyone to start applying FEA today.

By delivering Alibre Design Basic to all of our customers, we're establishing a new price-performance standard for a complete solution providing both parametric solid modelling and proven FEA technology".

"Our relationship with Algor fundamentally changes the market for professional 3D CAD and analysis software", said J Paul Grayson, Alibre President and CEO.

"Until now, most designers have been unable to justify purchasing FEA software.

Likewise, most analysts, especially those working as consultants or in small companies, had to compromise on their CAD software since they couldn't afford to pay thousands more for 3D solid modelling software that wasn't their primary tool.

Now with the variety of software bundles offered by Alibre and Algor, literally anyone can start using both technologies, without compromise".

Alibre Design Professional, an extended version of Alibre Design 6.0, will be released in the coming weeks.

In addition to Algor DesignCheck, the application will include integrated sheet metal design, Alibre Part Library featuring millions of standard and manufacturer parts, Alibre PhotoRender and bundled VisualMill CAM software from MecSoft.

The application is priced at $995 in North America, and elsewhere for $1295.

Free 30-day trials of Alibre Design are available at the Alibre website.