Ansoft's Maxwell v11 Speeds the Design Process of High-Performance Electromechanical Components; New Integrated RMxprt Delivers Industry-First 3D Analytical/FEM Motor Design Flow

PITTSBURGH--Nov. 2, 20059, 2005--Ansoft Corporation today released Maxwell(R) v11, 3D electromagnetic analysis software used to accurately predict the performance of low-frequency electromechanical (EM) components encountered in advanced automotive, aerospace and industrial/power electronic systems.

This release introduces Ansoft desktop technology into Maxwell and adds unparalleled capabilities for 3D analytical and FEM-based machine design. This Ansoft-pioneered graphical user interface and desktop environment, presently available with HFSS(TM), Q3D Extractor(R) and Ansoft Designer(R), increases engineering productivity through new geometry creation/import, integrated parameterization and optimization, model resolution, healing techniques and electrically aware meshing.

In addition, with this release, Ansoft introduces a new 3D analytical/FEM design flow for today's high-performing rotating electric machines by integrating Maxwell v11 and RMxprt(TM) within the same design environment. The new design capability allows engineers to make initial sizing decisions and design choices and automatically creates 3D finite-element models of the machine required to accurately analyze end effects, saturation and lamination effects.

Interface/Desktop

The new desktop environment features a graphical project tree and parametric design entry of all aspects of the design, from geometry and material properties, to analysis control and post-processing. Coupled to Optimetrics(TM), Maxwell delivers automated optimization and parametric sweeps that are integrated within the same project tree.

Model Resolution

Maxwell v11 also contains new geometry translation, model resolution and meshing technology implemented in a unique auto-interactive user interface that renders electrically insignificant geometric artifacts invisible to the simulation and characterization process, greatly improving design-flow efficiency.

Performance

Maxwell v11 now supports Windows(R) XP Professional x64 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux(R). This new 64-bit processing expands memory accessibility, thus delivering additional capacity and speed to the simulation process. A new Distributed Analysis option applies parallel computation to the investigation of parametric design variations, saving overall analysis time while maximizing the use of existing computer hardware.

Maxwell/RMxprt Co-Design

RMxprt, Ansoft's popular analytical design tool for rotating electric machines, now operates within the Maxwell desktop environment. This interoperability enables designers to use RMxprt to calculate performance parameters, determine lamination and winding schemes, create 3D models and define materials for Maxwell. This greatly reduces the effort of creating complex 3D models of the machine and allows engineers to make design trade-offs and sizing decisions using the RMxprt analytical calculations and quickly move to detailed 3D nonlinear transient analysis including the effects of motion using Maxwell v11.

New Analysis Capabilities

In addition, Maxwell v11 includes new analysis features that aid in the analysis of electric machines and other electromagnetic devices:

-- Transient core-loss modeling, including eddy, hysteresis and supplemental losses

-- Dynamic demagnetization

-- Nonlinear anisotropic materials

-- Lamination models with selectable stacking factor and direction

-- Graphical winding editor that includes commutator and winding elements.

Pricing and Availability:

Maxwell v11 is available for Windows 2000+, XP, Server 2003, XP Professional x64, Sun Solaris(R) 8/9 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3. For pricing information, contact your nearest Ansoft sales office.

To learn more about Maxwell v11, please visit www.ansoft.com/maxwell3d.

To download high-resolution Maxwell v11 screenshots, go to ftp://ftp.ansoft.com/techsup/download/web/primg/maxwell.zip (1.2 MB zipped file).

About Ansoft

Ansoft is a leading developer of high-performance electronic design automation (EDA) software. Engineers use Ansoft software to design state-of-the-art products, such as electromechanical components and systems, hybrid-electric vehicles, drive-by-wire systems, power electronics, wireless products, integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). Ansoft markets its software worldwide through its own direct sales force and has comprehensive customer-support and training offices throughout North America, Asia and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.ansoft.com.