Simulation tools simplify virtual prototyping

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 7, 2005

A novel suite of embedded simulation tools allows Catia V5 users to streamline and automate the task of building and testing virtual prototypes.

MSC.Software Corp has announced the release of SimDesigner 2005 r2 for Catia V5R14.

SimDesigner for Catia V5 is a suite of Catia V5-embedded simulation tools that allow Catia users to streamline and automate the task of building and testing virtual prototypes by simulating motion, stress, fatigue, heat transfer and other physical performance attributes of components and subsystems.

"We had a great deal of customer activity and interest in SimDesigner in 2004 and this newest version has been developed specifically to address the functionality and process improvements that our customers have been requesting", said Bob Ryan, Executive Vice President, Products Division, MSC.Software.

"The adoption of CAD-embedded VPD technologies is being driven by large corporations who want to realise greater benefits from simulation earlier in the design cycle and small and medium-sized companies who want powerful simulation tools that work within a familiar environment".

"Our SimDesigner product line is an excellent growth opportunity for MSC.Software and we look forward to continuing to meet customer demand for robust and easy to use CAD-embedded tools".

The SimDesigner product line allows components and systems to be tested before they are built, saving manufacturers time and money during the design, development, testing, and manufacturing process.

The SimDesigner for Catia V5 product family currently includes Generative products, which embed simulation capabilities directly into the Catia V5 CAD environment and gateway products, which provide smooth, direct access to VPD market leading tools such as MSC.Nastran, MSC.Adams, and LS-Dyna.

SimDesigner 2005 r2 has a number of features specifically designed to increase product development efficiency.

Using SimDesigner Suspension (SDS), flexible parts are now incorporated into suspension design allowing design-engineers to get more realistic results by taking a part's compliance into account during suspension travel simulation.

Load Transfer from SimDesigner Motion to SimDesigner Linear (SDL) allows the user to automatically investigate the component stresses resulting from product operating motions.

SimDesigner Fatigue (SFA) is integrated with SimDesigner Flex (SDF), allowing users to enhance their product durability predictions by including transient stress time histories of flexible components in the operating simulations.

SimDesigner Linear and Advanced Structures Professional (SDL and ASP) gives customers extended support for beam simulation by allowing them to examine bending stresses, axial stresses, and forces on standard beam sections, and capabilities for support of nonstructural masses and gravity loads.

SimDesigner Composites (SCP) leverages the Catia Composites Design (CPD) definition to predict composite structural performance thereby helping manufacturers, from aerospace to automotive and consumer goods to reduce the time needed to design composites parts.

Through the Gold Software Partner Agreement between Dassault Systemes and MSC.Software and the CAA V5 development architecture, the SimDesigner user interface is a seamless extension of Catia V5.