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June 2008 - FEMtools 3.3 Released with New Optimization module

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that FEMtools 3.3 has been released on all supported operating systems.

FEMtools 3.3 is a major revision of the FEMtools suite that adds new functionality and improves existing modules.  The new release extends the application reach of FEMtools in the design optimization field.

The highlights of FEMtools 3.3 are:

  • New module for design optimization
  • Upgraded FE interfaces (ANSYS, NASTRAN, ABAQUS, I-DEAS) to support the latest versions of these programs.
  • Faster solvers
  • Improved modal pretest analysis
  • Importing and exporting probabilistic analysis results
  • Generation of scatter plots
  • Probabilistic correlation and model updating with uncertain data
  • FE model reduction using Design of Experiments (DOE)
  • Extended scripting functionality
  • New RLM 4.0 license manager

For more information, click here.

Customers with current support and maintenance can find more information on this release and how to download the installation packs in the FEMtools Support site.

 


June 2008 - DDS Announces New Courses on FEMtools Programming and Design Optimization

Following the release of the new FEMtools Optimization product, Dynamic Design Solutions announces two new courses:

  • Introduction to Programming in FEMtools Script (1 Day)

The open architecture of FEMtools and the powerful FEMtools Script language make it possible to approach almost any optimization problem, even non-structural. To fully exploit all capabilities, users should be trained in how to implement their own function evaluations, use external solvers, interface data, and produce custom reports.

This course is primarily intended for all who want to exploit the potential of FEMtools Optimization by implementing their own processes.  It is also intended as an introduction for customers who want to learn and use the FEMtools script programming language and the FEMtools API function library to develop their own tools, integrate in-house analysis and test software or develop new applications.

  • Introduction to Design Optimization using FEMtools (2 Days)

FEMtools Optimization is an advanced solution for structural optimization featuring a function library for constrained nonlinear optimization and ready-to-use commands to solve the common structural optimization problems like size, shape, topology and topometry optimization. This course provides an overview of the theoretical concepts, implementation in FEMtools and practical applications.

This course is primarily intended for all who want to learn about using simulation-based optimization techniques.

During all courses, the FEMtools software will be extensively used for hands-on exercises during approximately half of the time. 

The current schedule for 2008 includes the following courses:

 

Course Date Location Language
Introduction to Programming in FEMtools Script November 5, 2008 Leuven, Belgium English
Introduction to Design Optimization using FEMtools November 6-7, 2008 Leuven, Belgium English
 

Contact DDS (info@femtools.com) for more information on these courses and pre-registration. More information and a registration form will be available from this site in the coming weeks.

http://www.femtools.com/services/courses.htm

 


March 2008 - Hong Kong Highways Orders FEMtools for Postprocessing Stonecutters Bridge Monitoring Data

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK-SAR) has ordered FEMtools Framework as the platform software to develop a custom monitoring system for the prestigious Hong Kong Stonecutters bridge. This is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world, currently under construction (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net).

The custom monitoring system will be part of the bridge's Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System (WASHMS) that monitors the response of the bridge to wind loading, temperature loading, highway loading and seismic loading.

Furthermore, several licenses of FEMtools Model Updating will be delivered to the onsite bridge control units for real-time correlation of the bridge mode shapes with reference modes obtained from a validated and updated finite element model.  The bridge mode shapes will be obtained with ARTeMIS software (http://www.svibs.com) using output-only modal analysis.

This order will be a major showcase for state-of-the-art structural health monitoring technology that uses operational modal testing and model updating-based damage identification applied on large scale civil engineering structures.

Hong Kong Stonecutters Bridge
Artist impression of the Hong Kong Stonecutters bridge.

For the complete press release, click here.

 


March 2008 - Announcing FEMtools Optimization

Dynamic Design Solutions announces FEMtools Optimization, the newest member of its FEMtools family of products.

FEMtools Optimization is a toolbox for general purpose and structural design optimization.  In combination with FEMtools Model Updating, it provides the unique possibility to perform design optimization on validated and updated finite element models.    

Using a powerful non-linear optimizer, FEMtools can be used for solving arbitrary single or multi-objective non-linear optimization problems with a very large number of variables.  Combined with FEMtools internal sensitivity computation, any type of optimization problem can be defined by user-programmed cost functions and constraint functions. For structural optimization using finite element analysis, function re-analysis  can make use of FEMtools' internal solver capabilities or use drivers to pilot external programs like Nastran, Ansys or Abaqus.

Ready-to-use commands are provided to solve the following common structural optimization problems:

  • Size Optimization - For optimizing component parameters such as cross-section and thickness.

  • Shape Optimization - For optimizing the shape of existing components.

  • Topometry Optimization - Optimizing component parameters on an element-by-element basis.

  • Topology Optimization - Creating new designs with a layout optimized for a given load and manufacturing constraints.

The FEMtools open architecture, combined with the FEMtools Scripting language, provides virtually unlimited flexibility in the problem definition and offers function re-evaluation using your preferred FE-solver on Windows, Linux and Unix OS.

FEMtools Optimization will first be released in Q2/2008 as a separate FEMtools 3.3 product configuration, or in combination with FEMtools Model Updating.

Tools for design of experiments, response surface modeling, composite materials optimization and probabilistic design improvement will be added in subsequent releases.

For preliminary product information, see FEMtools Optimization.

 


February 2008 - Theme of IMAC 2009 Conference Will Be "Model Verification and Validation"

The Society for Experimental Mechanics, Inc. has announced the availability of the CALL FOR PAPERS for IMAC XXVII.  You can  download the Call for Papers at:  http://sem.org/PDF/XXVII_CFP_web.pdf.  The Theme for IMAC-XXVII is "Model Verification & Validation" so DDS invites all FEMtools users and partners to take this opportunity to submit a paper showcasing their work.

IMAC XXVII is scheduled to be held February 9-12, 2009 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.  Please submit your abstracts early.  If a sufficient number of FEMtools-related papers are submitted, it may be possible to group these papers in a special session on model updating. Please inform DDS (info@femtools.com) if you have submitted an abstract and would like to present your paper in a special session on model updating.

 


December 2007 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner for Southern Africa

Dynamic Design Solutions welcome ESTEQ Engineering as our newest FEMtools Solutions Partner serving our customers in Southern Africa.

ESTEQ Engineering (Pty) Ltd is the leading supplier of simulation & testing technology solutions in Southern Africa. Their primary focus is to empower clients to become leaders in their respective industries through providing technology which can solve the most demanding engineering & scientific problems, in the shortest possible times. ESTEQ selects the leading technology suppliers from around the world and backs this technology with a team of the best people to provide the highest level of service to their clients. This service starts with helping companies' asses the business benefit they will get from implementing solutions which are tailored to client's requirements, through to implementation, technology transfer, training, support and consulting. This involves a long term relationship of mutual trust and growth which can only be achieved in a partnership.

More information on ESTEQ Engineering - Simulation Driven Design and Testing - can be found at

http://engineering.esteq.com

 


November 2007 - Schedule of 2008 Courses Announced

Dynamic Design Solutions and FEMtools Solutions Partners regularly organize two or three-day courses on finite element model validation and updating technology applied to structural static and dynamic analysis. This course is intended for all who want to improve their understanding of the technology. The FEMtools software will be used for hands-on exercises during approximately half of the time.

The current schedule for 2008 includes the following courses:

 

Date Location Presenter Language
April 16-18, 2008 Leuven, Belgium DDS English
October 22-24, 2008 Leuven, Belgium DDS English

More courses dates and locations will be added in the following weeks. For latest information, see

http://www.femtools.com/services/courses.htm


October 2007 - Successful FEMtools Presentations in China

Following the assignment of FEMtools distributors in China earlier this year, DDS presented two product presentation seminars in Shanghai and Beijing during the month of October 2007.

The seminar in Shanghai was hosted by the Noise and Vibration Institute of Jiao Tong Shanghai University and was co-organized by DMS-Co. Ltd. (www.dms-test.com), FEMtools distributor for South China. The seminar in Beijing was organized and hosted by Eastern Max Technology Corp. (www.emax-tech.cn), FEMtools distributor for North China.

Both seminars were well attended and signaled the start of a marketing and sales campaign targeting Chinese universities and high tech companies.


September 2007 - DDS Strengthens Development Team with Appointment of Dr. Tom Lauwagie

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that it has strengthened its research and development team with the appointment of Dr. Tom Lauwagie as lead developer for design optimization related products. Tom obtained his PhD. in 2005 at the mechanical engineering department (PMA) of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) in the domain of material identification using model updating and optimization methods.


May 2007 - Dynamic Design Solutions Adopts Reprise License Manager for the FEMtools Product Suite

With the upcoming release of FEMtools 3.2, Dynamic Design Solutions has changed the licensing mechanism and now uses Reprise LM (RLM) for all license types. Reprise LM is a new and innovative product that has been developed by licensing industry veterans who have previously developed the well known Flex LM product.

RLM provides solutions for all FEMtools licensing needs, including node-locked licensing using a machine-specific hostid or a FEMtools dongle, floating network licenses, roaming licenses, and failover licenses.

As a consequence of adopting RLM in FEMtools, all customer upgrading to version 3.2 need a new license file.

For the complete press release, click here.

For more information on RLM, visit http://www.reprisesoftware.com

   


February 2007 - Dynamic Design Solutions CEO Eddy Dascotte to Present Keynote at ICED 2007 Conference

Dynamic Design Solutions CEO Eddy Dascotte will present the opening keynote speech at the International Conference on Engineering Dynamics, to be held at Carvoeiro (Algarve, Portugal) from April 16-18, 2007. The subject of the presentation is "Model Updating for Structural Dynamics: Past, Present and Future Outlook".

The FEMtools software will be on display at the exhibition that takes place during the conference.

More information on the conference can be found at

http://www.dem.ist.utl.pt/~iced2007/

The paper of the keynote can be obtained from the following location:

Technical Papers

 


December 2006 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner in China

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that FEMtools is now distributed in China by Eastern Max Technology Corp.(EMAX).

Eastern Max Technology Corp. of Beijing, China, is a company whose primary objectives are in sales, marketing, support services, training and consultancy work for simulation software. EMAX was established in 2003 and over the years, has extended its customer base to the areas of aviation, aerospace, automobile, shipbuilding, railway vehicle, electronics, electric power and general machinery.

Other companies represented by EMAX include leading companies like Samtech (Samcef), CEI (EnSight), NEI( NeiNastran) etc.

The consulting part covers FEA/CFD modeling, linear & non-linear analysis, NVH analysis, durability analysis, thermal analysis, motion dynamic analysis and CFD analysis.

EMAX and DDS are looking forward to help their customers in China on FEA applications such as dynamic model correlation analysis, structural modification analysis, FE-based design, design optimization and virtual prototyping etc.

www.emax-tech.cn

 


November 2006 - AEDES Software Integrates FEMtools Framework FEA Solvers

AEDES Software S.N.C., an Italian company specializing in finite element analysis software for civil engineers, has licensed FEMtools FEA solvers for its 2007 software releases. The sparse solvers components of FEMtools Framework are integrated in AEdES finite element analysis products for linear/non-linear static analysis, modal analysis and seismic analysis.

http://www.aedes.it

Contact DDS (info@femtools.com) for more information on using FEMtools Framework as a CAE development platform or for licensing components like graphics viewers, solvers, FEA interfaces, scripting language, or mesh generators.

 


May 2006 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner in India

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that FEMtools is now distributed in India by Foretek Marketing Private Ltd.

Foretek Marketing Private Ltd. of Bangalore, India, is a company whose primary objectives are in sales, marketing, support services and consultancy work for testing equipment and simulation software (vibration, acoustics, climatic and dynamic). Foretek was established in 1979 and over the years, has undertaken various studies in the field of Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH).

Many of the equipment that they have supplied are being used in prestigious projects of the country's aerospace, defense, railroad and automotive sectors. With the advent of newer technologies, the role of reliability testing and qualification testing of prototypes has become even more challenging. In keeping with the ever-increasing demands of the industry, it is their goal to keep abreast of the latest innovations so that they can be disseminated to customers in India. For this purpose, Foretek has a team of mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineers based in their head office in Bangalore.

Foretek has fully equipped laboratory facilities to carry out in-situ measurements, field measurements, component and full scale testing, covering the areas of:

  • Acoustic measurement and analysis
  • Vibration testing, measurement and analysis
  • Modal testing and analysis
  • Post modal applications such as FE correlation and structural modification
  • Online data acquisition and analysis
  • Dynamic strain measurements

Other companies represented by Foretek include leading companies like m+p, VXIT,  Dewetron, Prodera, ESI-Group, Casella CEL, DJB, etc.

Foretek and DDS are looking forward to help their customers in India on post modal applications such as correlation and structural modification analysis. They anticipate that in the near future this can be extended to CAE applications such as FE-based design, design validation, design optimization and virtual prototyping.

 


May 2006 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner in South Korea

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that FEMtools is now distributed in South Korea by CYLOS Co. Ltd.

CYLOS Co. Ltd is a sales & engineering company based in Suwon (near Seoul) offering product representation and distribution services, training and consulting related to NVH and structural dynamics in automotive, electronics, defense, environmental and heavy industries.

The consulting part covers Test-CAE correlation, vibration testing, modal testing including SDM, vehicle testing, acoustics source localization etc.  CYLOS also develops customized programs for automation of testing using various equipment.  CYLOS can provide consulting related to simulation like linear & non-linear analysis, thermal analysis, fluid flow and motion dynamic analysis.

CYLOS Co. Ltd. was founded in 2005 by Dr. S.H. Park who worked as CAE team manager of I-DEAS (SDRC) for three years before moving to Bruel & Kjaer Korea. There he worked for 7 years in various technical positions (technical team management, technical support, training, etc.). He also participated in consulting projects for the electronics, defense and automotive industries.

www.cylos.co.kr

 


April 2006 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner in Spain

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that FEMtools is now distributed in Spain by PROTOS ECI.

PROTOS ECI (PROTOS Euro-Consultores de Ingenieria S. L. ) is an engineering company based in Madrid  offering high quality consulting, product representation and distribution services to clients in the aerospace, aeronautics, automotive, defense and services industries.

PROTOS ECI was founded by Dr. Kimon Alexiou in 2000.  Kimon worked before as a Senior Engineering Consultant with the Structural Dynamics Research Corporation  (SDRC) both in Hitchin, England and San Diego, USA for four years before moving to Spain. There he worked for the Space Division of CASA for 10 years in the Dynamics Laboratory where he led all modal testing, participated in various vibration test campaigns and the corresponding FEM analysis and correlation studies for the development and qualification of many satellite and Ariane-5 launcher sub-systems.

The consulting services of PROTOS ECI cover the complete product cycle from design, simulation, analysis, test, analysis/test correlation, test qualification (vibrations, acoustics and environmental) and troubleshooting campaigns to client support and guidance for new technology and capacity acquisition. The portfolio of companies represented by PROTOS ECI includes leading manufacturers of vibration and acoustic hardware, software and services, like for e.g. m+p, MB Dynamics, 01dB-METRAVIB, ETS/SERVOTEST, DANTEC ETTEMEYER, etc.

Products represented and distributed by PROTOS ECI are also used by them in their daily consulting activities and therefore PROTOS ECI are well positioned in offering effective solutions to clients and supporting them adequately both at the pre and post sale stages.

Kimon Alexiou and other staff of PROTOS ECI will be pleased to respond to both specific inquiries and comments over the CAE Software and Services of DDS and general questions regarding the design, analysis, test (definition, preparation, performance), test/analysis correlation, model updating and product qualification  processes.

PROTOS ECI and DDS are looking forward to establishing a local and effective presence in Spain for working with and helping their clients to make the most of their FE models, turn them in Virtual Prototypes, enabling thus rapid design optimization and troubleshooting working practices.

www.protos-eci.es

 


February 2006 - FEMtools Manuals Available in Japanese Language

Software Express, Inc., FEMtools Solutions Partner in Japan, announces the availability of FEMtools manuals in Japanese language. The translation of the entire FEMtools 3.0 documentation took several months during 2005 and was done by personnel of Software Express. Currently the Japanese manuals are updated for FEMtools 3.1 and will be available shortly. 

http://www.soex.co.jp

 


December 2005 - Dynamic Design Solutions Joins ABAQUS Inc. Partner Program

For the past several years, Dynamic Design Solutions has developed a direct interface between FEMtools and the ABAQUS advanced finite element analysis software with the support of different ABAQUS distributors and customers. Dynamic Design Solutions has now formally joined the new ABAQUS Inc. Partner Program to further strengthen and extend the integration between FEMtools and ABAQUS.

The ABAQUS translator is an optional component of FEMtools Framework. It imports an ABAQUS input file and converts a complete finite element model and associated properties into the FEMtools database table structure. Other functions of the translator are to import element mass and stiffness matrices, and shapes resulting from static, modal or forced response analysis.

The ABAQUS finite element model and analysis results data can be used by all FEMtools application modules for advanced structural dynamics simulation, pretest planning, sensitivity analysis, model updating, and design optimization. An updated FE model, or an optimized design, can be exported and converted by the ABAQUS translator into a ready-to-use input deck for ABAQUS. This close integration between FEMtools and ABAQUS allows to automate processes that require numerous restarts of the ABAQUS solver like, for example, model updating, design of experiments, and probabilistic analysis.

For more information on the benefits of the ABAQUS Partner Program for FEMtools and ABAQUS users, please contact support@femtools.com

 


November 2005 - Material Identification using FEMtools and New Documents Available for Download

The finite element model updating method that is implemented in FEMtools can be used for identifying the elastic properties of isotropic, orthotropic and anisotropic materials.

If the material properties or beam section properties are selected as global updating parameters, and the modes of vibration of a test specimen (obtained by measurement) are used as reference responses, then the updating procedure will iteratively adjust starting values until predicted dynamic behavior corresponds with observed one.

This approach is a non-destructive material testing method that is especially useful for composites and laminated materials. The method easily adapts to be used in temperature-controlled environments to obtain properties as function of temperature (or other controlled conditions).

Applications of this methodology can be found in the following recent theses:

Tom Lauwagie, Vibration-Based Methods for the Identification of the Elastic Properties of Layered Materials, Doctoral thesis, Catholic University of Leuven, October 2005.
Download (PDF, 8.0 MB)

Erik Euler, Identification of the Material Properties of Slender Composite Structures, MSc Thesis, University of Brussels, 2004.
Download (PDF, 2.7 MB)

Click here to go to the complete list of downloadable documents.

 


March 2005 - Simulating Dynamic Response of Civil Engineering Structures

Model updating of civil engineering FE models is a growing field. This is a result of the growing popularity of output-only modal test technology which provides usable reference data for model updating. There is also the growing need for structural health monitoring solutions including damage detection, damage identification and residual lifetime estimation.

FEMtools can play an important role in the integrated systems that will be required to make this happen. To illustrate the potential, a number of new case studies were added to the Solutions section of the FEMtools website:

 

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