Archive for April, 2012

What’s better than an intuitive technology that allows you to explore non-intuitive-optimal solutions?

04/24/2012

Luca Frattari Business Development Manager – Architecture, Engineering & Construction

 

“What’s better than an intuitive technology that allows you to explore non-intuitive-optimal solutions?”

A common way to design a rational structure is to create a system composed of 2D elements, such as beams and pillars. In a paradoxical way, an optimal solution is represented by an organic-like structure in which the material is arranged to guarantee strength and lightness.

In this article I will talk about INNOVATION, SIMULATION, OPTIMIZATION applied to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) market. Moreover, we’ll examine how such concepts have taken on a fundamental role in the design of a bridge by means of Topology Optimization and why they may be very much relevant beyond AEC to architects and engineers in different market sectors.

This challenge generated a stimulating curiosity within me, beginning a profound reflection on the meaning of those concepts. At first glance, they might seem easy, even trivial to describe.
Quickly I’ve realized that by modern definition they assume deeper meaning because of their reciprocal influence.

INNOVATION, SIMULATION, OPTIMIZATION

In my opinion, if INNOVATION can be defined as the combination of exploration, inspiration, evolution and technology oriented to improve the quality of life, than one could say that INNOVATION is an evolutionary process to create and refine products and processes in any field of application.

Today’s new standards for construction have becoming increasingly more demanding. Architects are experimenting with new materials developed by engineers to improve the thermal efficiency of new buildings, while the engineers are continuously experimenting with ways to build the complex shapes created by the talent and creativity of the architects.

What could be the next evolutionary step in this process?

(more…)

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solidThinking Inspire

04/24/2012

solidThinking Inspire makes setting up basic topology optimization easy. Import design and non-design space solids into Inspire and apply boundary conditions directly on the geometry. Graphically define shape controls such as parting directions and symmetry. Run topology optimization with a few clicks and automatically retrieve results from your run history. solidThinking Inspire allows designers, architects, product engineers to explore virtually countless forms and shapes.

Learn more about solidThinking Inspire >>

 

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Customer Spotlight: Gordon Murray Design

04/24/2012

Overcoming the Challenges of Composite Design through Simulation

Composite materials have been used in the aerospace industry for many years due to their lightweight and high performance characteristics, but the issue of product weight is not limited to aircraft. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly viewing the material as a method of minimizing mass and maximizing fuel economy.

UK based automotive design company, Gordon Murray Design (GMD) believes that composite materials can play a much larger role in the manufacture of vehicles and to prove its case, the company has developed ‘iStream’, an efficient process for manufacturing low and high volume cars from lightweight mixed materials.

View the entire Gordon Murray Design Case Study >>

 

 

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Product Updates – April 2012

04/23/2012

HyperWorks now available for Mac OS X

HyperWorks tools become more available to science and creative professions with Mac version

Download HyperWorks 11.0 for Mac OS X >>

HW-11.0.230-HWSolvers

HW-11.0.230-HWSolvers contains many new features, enhancements and bug fixes to HyperWorks 11.0 solver suite including RADIOSS, MotionSolve, OptiStruct and HyperXtrude.

Download HW-11.0.230-HWSolvers Now >>

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Multibody Dynamic Analysis Vehicle Simulation Software Now Available Through The HyperWorks Partner Alliance

04/23/2012

HWPA Members Can Now Access CarSim, TruckSim, and BikeSim

Mechanical Simulation Logo

Mechanical Simulation vehicle dynamics simulation tools include CarSim, TruckSim, and BikeSim.  All three use the VehicleSim architecture to provide accurate and realistic predictions of vehicle dynamics in a form that can be easily used by engineers, technical and marketing staffs. CarSim simulates the acceleration, braking, handling and ride of cars and car-trailer combinations over any road surface or terrain and can be applied to passenger cars, racecars, light trucks, and utility vehicles. This software is used to design, develop, test, and plan vehicle programs and empowers engineers to make better decisions involving vehicle dynamics and prove initial concepts, select components, and perform advanced analysis of existing vehicles.

Learn more about Mechanical Simulation >>

Read the Press Release >>

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Model Checking with Auto Correction Feature

04/23/2012

You can now do a quick check of your finite element model using the NEW “Model Checking with Auto Correction” Feature

HyperMesh 11.0 offers a quick method of checking the file you loaded at two stages:

1. Model Checker for Element checks = Quality of the elements.

2. Model Checker for Solver checks = Solver errors and warnings.

Currently three solvers are supported: LS-DYNA, RADIOSS (Block Format) and OptiStruct. To perform either of the above checks using HyperMesh 11.0.101 on a finite element model, go to Tools pull down from menu bar and select Model Checker [Fig 1] and make an appropriate selection.

Download the Tip from our website >>

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Map Surface Mesh to Another Surface, by Translational and/or Rotational Symmetrical Conditions.

04/23/2012

Periodic Mesh Utility

The Periodic Mesh utility can be used to generate a grid containing rotational and/or translational symmetric boundaries, for example rotating machinery in use with CFD analysis. This utility provides the first two steps needed for the larger process of Periodic Mesh work flow.

 Periodic Meshing Workflow

In the first step, the mesh on the source geometry has to be generated using any of HyperMesh’s surface meshing algorithms – for example, 2D mesh with Boundary Layer.

In the second step of the Periodic Mesh utility, the mesh is mapped from the source geometry onto the target geometry.  In addition to source and target geometry, detailed information about the transformation (rotational and/or translational) can be optionally entered.

To access this utility, from the menu bar click Mesh > Create > 2D Elements > Periodic Mesh.

Download the Tip from our website >>

 

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