New InCADPlus Tutorials Demonstrate Algor's Modeling, Meshing and Analysis Capabilities

13 June 2000

New InCADPlus Tutorials Demonstrate Algor's Modeling, Meshing and Analysis Capabilities

    PITTSBURGH - Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced the release of new keystroke tutorials that show engineers how to save time and effort by conducting finite element analysis within the same CAD solid modeling program used to build the model.

    Five tutorials that walk engineers through Algor's InCADPlus technology working within CADKEY, Mechanical Desktop, Pro/ENGINEER, Solid Edge and SolidWorks are available.

    Each tutorial comes with a compressed model file featuring a 3-D bearing assembly drawn in the particular CAD software. This 3-D bearing assembly tutorial features a cast iron pillow block housing and steel bearing insert. Using the Algor Mesh option in the CAD menu, engineers generate a surface mesh, perform surface mesh matching, generate a solid mesh and add boundary conditions and other finite element data to the model.

    For the linear static stress analysis, engineers consider the problem of the housing being bolted down and a shaft through the insert that exerts pressure in a downward direction. To complete the tutorial and sample the best value in desktop computer FEA, engineers only need the designated CAD software and Algor's InCADPlus software, which plugs directly into the CAD menu.

    "These tutorials demonstrate the advantages of interoperability with CAD programs over the traditional FEA process," said Michael L. Bussler, president of the Pittsburgh-based Algor. "Upon completion of this tutorial, designers and engineers will realize the true value of conducting finite-element meshing and analysis within CAD rather than the time-consuming transfer of neutral files that leaves open the chance for data loss."

    Aside from the advantage of working within CAD, InCADPlus offers feature suppression and midplane meshing. Feature suppression allows the engineer to remove unnecessary parts of a model that would slow down analysis. Midplane meshing allows the engineer to convert thin, solid parts, such as a car body panel, into plate/shell elements using the midpoint of the surface elements. This significantly reduces the number of elements in the model and allows engineers to take advantage of the faster processing speeds associated with plate/shell elements.

    Algor offers a wide range of element types for FEA, including kinematic elements -- rigid elements that move like regular, flexible finite elements. Engineers can define one component at a time with regular elements and define the remaining components with kinematic elements, saving processing time by focusing on the part of interest.

    Before performing any analysis on the model, engineers have the option to examine the model with Superview, Algor's multifaceted postprocessing tool. Details regarding meshing and boundary conditions can be examined in Superview. If any modifications are necessary, the engineer can return to Superdraw and alter the model before running the analysis. After analysis, the engineer can use Superview to view results of displacement and stresses.

    Other tutorials are available from Algor focusing on a wide variety of topics including Mechanical Event Simulation, nonlinear static stress analysis, heat transfer analysis, fluid flow analysis, electrostatic analysis, analysis involving beam/truss elements and how to use Superdraw III to perform finite element modeling. At Algor's InCAD Web site, www.feaincad.com, tutorials feature Algor's $975 InCAD DesignPak for the same CAD solid modelers as the InCADPlus tutorials.

    Each tutorial can be downloaded as a full-color document from Algor's web site, www.algor.com, or www.feaincad.com, or, for customers purchasing Algor software, accessed from DocuTech, Algor's technical user documentation information resource on CD-ROM. All of the tutorials can be read and printed as Adobe Acrobat files.

    Algor has been a leader in the engineering software industry since introducing FEA for PCs in 1984 and interfacing with CAD systems in 1985. The company provides innovative, affordable and easy-to-use software products that have enabled 20,000 engineers in 60 countries to create safe, efficient, cost-effective designs. Algor also offers superior educational support and customer service that includes the use of state-of-the-art Internet audio/video technology for "Web Courses," which provide step-by-step software instruction, and free public "Webcasts" in live demonstration format.

    Algor's product line features FEA-based Accupak/VE Mechanical Event Simulation software. Accupak/VE reduces the need for physical prototyping and eliminates the need to input dynamic loads by determining the motion, flexing and resulting stresses of a part or assembly at each instant of an event. Algor's proprietary kinematic element technology makes performing Mechanical Event Simulations using CAD solid parts and assemblies practical for realistic, accurate results. Engineers can use Algor's InCADPlus and InCAD DesignPak products to seamlessly capture exact CAD geometry from popular CAD systems within Algor. The company also offers linear stress, vibration, heat transfer, electrostatic, fluid flow, composite materials and piping systems analysis tools. Algor's software interchanges data with products from ANSYS, Inc. ; Autodesk, Inc. ; CADKEY Corporation; MSC.Software Corporation ; Parametric Technology Corporation; Structural Dynamics Research Corporation; Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. ; SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. company; and others.