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What's New

December 2012 - FEMtools 3.6.1 Maintenance Release

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.6.1.

FEMtools 3.6.1 is a maintenance release that provides fixes to issues reported after the previous release and provides various improvements and corrections to the interface programs, GUI, commands and API functions.

Support for ANSYS 14.5 interface files has been added.
This release has been verified for Windows 8.

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. A login name and password is required to access the support pages. If you have a current Maintenance and Support contract and did not yet receive a login name and password, then register at http://www.femtools.com/support.htm or send a request to support@femtools.com

October 2012 - Next Technology Course on Verification, Validation and Model Updating Announced

Registrations are now accepted for the technology course on Verification, Validation and Model Updating that will take place on March 20-22, 2013 in Leuven, Belgium. All presentations will be in English.

This course is intended for anyone that is interested in learning the state-of-the-art in finite element model validation and updating. FEMtools will be used for hands-on exercises during approximately half of the time and is therefore also a good opportunity for new customers and evaluators to get started with the program.

For more information and registration click here.

September 2012 - DDS Expands Research and Development Team with Appointment of Dr. Michele Iadevaia

Dynamic Design Solutions announces that it has appointed Dr. Michele Iadevaia as a new member of its research and development team. Dr. Iadevaia will be primarily working on the test-oriented modules for the FEMtools framework as well as contributing to the modules for structural dynamics simulation and test planning. Dr. Iadevaia obtained an MSc (1994) in aeronautic engineering and PhD (2008) in transport engineering from the University of Naples Federico II for his work in the areas of dynamic characterization and active noise control. His professional experience includes working as a vibro-acoustic and structural dynamics consulting engineer for aeronautical and automotive companies and participating in several EU collaborative research projects.

August 2012 - DDS Joins the MSC Software Technology Partner Program

Dynamic Design Solutions has joined the MSC Software Technology Partner program as a Software Community Partner. By joining, DDS gains access to the marketing and sales resources of MSC Software and ensures access to the software licenses that are necessary for continuous interface development as well as training. The key benefit to MSC is that DDS provide leading-edge technologies which complement MSC's product portfolio. DDS develops and markets the FEMtools software that provides a critical link between experimental analysis and NVH simulation with MSC Nastran and Marc.

For more information on MSC Software Technology Partners, click here.

July 2012 - Upcoming Event: ISMA 2012

Dynamic Design Solutions is going to attend the 25th International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering (ISMA 2012) that will be held from September 17-19 in Leuven, Belgium. Come and visit us at booth #12 in the exhibit area to see the new features in FEMtools 3.6.

For more information on the conference, see http://www.isma-isaac.be

June 2012 - FEMtools 3.6 Released!

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.6.

This major revision of the FEMtools software suite introduces new dynamic analysis tools (Padé approximants, FRF-based assembly, and time domain simulation), and extends the pretest analysis tools. The Modal Parameter Extractor add-on tool has been upgraded with a new interactive applet.

Some of the highlights of this release are:

Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) can now be computed using the fast Padé Approximants method.
FEMtools 3.6 introduces two new tools for Dynamic Analysis:
- FRF-Based Assembly (FBA), a new tool for dynamic substructuring.
- Time Domain Simulation, a new tool for response analysis in the time domain.
Pretest Analysis has been extended with the following features:
- Selected sensors can now be rotated with the Rotate Sensors panel.
- Sensor Elimination using MAC (SEAMAC) can now use a set of fixed sensor locations.
- It is now possible to supply a target value for the off-diagonal MAC values in the SEAMAC method.
A new interactive applet for the FEMtools MPE (Modal Parameter Extractor) is added with FRF selection, frequency band selection, multiple band selection, complexity plot and more. For screenshots look here.
Upgraded FE Data Interfaces and Drivers (Abaqus 6.12. Ansys 14, MSC.Nastran 2012, NX Nastran 8).

For a complete list of changes, see the FEMtools 3.6 Release Notes which can be consulted in the FEMtools Customer Support portal.

FEMtools 3.6 is available immediately on all platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac OS) as a free upgrade for all customers with current maintenance and technical support contract. The software can be downloaded from the Download Area of the FEMtools Customer Support portal. Access to the FEMtools Customer Support requires a user name and password.

Time-locked license files (annual) for FEMtools 3.4.x and 3.5.x remain valid for v3.6.
Perpetual licenses issued for a previous version are NOT compatible with FEMtools 3.6 and need to be replaced.

March 2012 - FEMtools 3.5.3 Maintenance Release

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.5.3.

FEMtools 3.5.3 is a maintenance release that provides fixes to issues reported after the previous release and provides various improvements and corrections to the interface programs, GUI, commands and API functions. Support for ANSYS 14 interface files has been added.

March 2012 - Aeronautical Companies using FEMtools for FE Model Validation and Updating

The number of aircraft and aerospace companies that have joined the ranks of FEMtools users has steadily increased during the past years. They include major aircraft and engine manufacturers as well as component suppliers and research centers. FEMtools is used for FE postprocessing, dynamic simulation, model validation, model updating and structural optimization. Reference data comes from modal testing and ground vibration tests or classic strain gauge testing.

Dutch Space is the largest aerospace company of the Netherlands. They are a well-recognized supplier to the international aerospace industry. Dutch Space started in 1968 and now employs a staff of about 210 researchers and engineers. Main activities are related to solar panels, launch systems, verification and simulation, descent and landing, and instruments. From July 2008 Dutch Space is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium. FEMtools is used for finite element model validation and updating of Ariane launcher frames using test data from strain gauges and accelerometers.

Other global aeronautical companies that actively use FEMtools are Airbus, Avio, Boeing, EADS Cassidian, Goodrich Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace, ITT Exelis, Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Korean Aerospace Research Institute, MTU, National Aerospace Laboratory (Netherlands), Northrop, and Rolls-Royce.

February 2012 - Scenario-Based Damage Identification

Damage has a direct impact on the modal parameters of structures. However, finding the location and severity of the damage from the modal parameters is a challenging task. This is because damage identification problems are in general highly undetermined, i.e. the number of potential damage locations is much higher than the size of the experimental data set.

In a recent paper written by DDS engineers, a damage scenario-based framework was presented that tries to overcome this problem by both increasing the size of the experimental data set and reducing the number of investigated damage locations. Using a carefully validated FE model of the undamaged structure the effects of a number of damage scenarios are simulated. Eventually, the identification routine detects the ?fingerprints? of the damage scenarios in the frequency pattern of the damaged structure.

The scenario-based damage identification framework has been evaluated and showed promising results. It appears to be possible to decompose the measured frequency pattern into the signatures of a series of pre-defined damage scenarios. The scenario-based approach seems to be capable of not only identifying the location of the damage but also the degree of damage.

The complete paper can be downloaded from the following location:

T. Lauwagie, E. Dascotte, A Scenario-based Damage Identification Framework. Presented at the 30th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC), February 2012, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Download (PDF, 0.85 MB)

For more information, contact support@femtools.com

For more technical papers, click here.

January, 2012 - See FEMtools at the IMAC XXX Conference in Florida

Dynamic Design Solutions is going to attend the 30th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC XXX) on January 30 to February 2, 2012 in Jacksonville, FL, USA. Come and visit us at booth #400 in the exhibit area to see the new features in FEMtools that we are planning for release. For more information about this event: www.sem.org

Dr. Tom Lauwagie, FEMtools lead application developer, will present the following conference paper: "A Scenario-based Damage Identification Framework" on Thursday February 2, at 10:00 AM.

November 2, 2011 - FEMtools North American Support Takes Off

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the formation of FEMtools North America LLC. This new affiliated US company will operate from Florida to support North American FEMtools users and sales representatives with pre- and postsales technical support, training, and software customization services. It is our belief that the presence of a US based technical staff will not only allow us to better serve the existing FEMtools customer base and reduce technical support response times, but also increase FEMtools sales within the United States and Canada.

FEMtools North America LLC will initially be manned by Dr. Tom Lauwagie. Before moving to the US, Tom spent three years working as a FEMtools application developer at the Dynamic Design Solutions HQ in Leuven, Belgium. In collaboration with North American sales representative NAVCON from Fullerton CA, Tom will present an intensive three-day course on the technologies that are incorporated in FEMtools on November 7-9, 2011. See Upcoming Events and Courses for more information.

For more information, contact info@femtools.com

October 28, 2011 - FEMtools 3.5.2 Maintenance Release

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.5.2.

FEMtools 3.5.2 is a maintenance release that extends the DSP, MPE, pretest analysis and correlation analysis with new features. A new add-on for interfacing with data files from third party operational modal analysis software (ARTeMIS) is introduced in this release. Furthermore there are various improvements and corrections to the interface programs, commands and API functions. The following is a sample of new features that are included in this release:

Import of mode shapes from Abaqus ODB file
Import of Abaqus condensed matrices to be used as superelements in FEMtools
Integrated linear and modal stress analysis for 3D solid elements
A new tool for mode participation analysis that can be used for target mode selection (pretest analysis)
Support for multiple measurements with roving sensors for operational modal analysis
A new add-on for interfacing with data files from third party operational modal analysis software (ARTeMIS)
Generation of mode shape animation files (GIF, AVI) on Linux

October 2011 - Working with Abaqus Condensed Matrices

ABAQUS can condense stiffness and mass matrices at external nodes and enriched by Craig-Bampton component modes synthesis. This is equivalent to the use of superelements in FEMtools and other finite element programs.

FEMtools 3.5.2 comes with a new interface to import superelement matrices condensed with ABAQUS. Once imported in FEMtools, the ABAQUS condensed matrices can be used as a standard superelement in every FEMtools analysis that supports superelements. This feature allows, for instance, the management in FEMtools of large assembled FE models that use ABAQUS specific features like tie-contact without loss of accuracy, mixing condensed parts to a residual FE mesh. Similar functionality exists for superelements imported from NASTRAN.

The superelement reduction can be used to speed-up pretest analysis, dynamic analysis, correlation analysis on large assemblies and even model updating of the residual part of the FE model. Using a wireframe connection between the external nodes, FEMtools allows the visualization of mode shapes using a ?test model? look and feel.

For more information, contact support@femtools.com

October 2011 - New Add-on Tool for Data Exchange between FEMtools and ARTeMIS for Operational Modal Analysis

Dynamic Design Solutions has developed a new bi-directional interface with the ARTeMIS operational modal analysis software. Using this interface FEMtools users can import ARTeMIS configuration files and associated time series data files and process those data in FEMtools DSP and FEMtools MPE. It becomes also possible to import and process time series using FEMtools scripts from other sources, for example from an SQL database, and then export the test data for processing and operational modal analysis using ARTeMIS. This way the SSI time domain extraction method that is available in ARTeMIS becomes more easily available to FEMtools users to complement the frequency domain method (pLSCF) that is included in FEMtools MPE.

The ARTeMIS interface for FEMtools is available upon request as a free download. For more information, contact support@femtools.com

ARTeMIS is a specialized software for operational modal analysis developed and sold by Structural Vibration Solutions (SVS).
For more information, see http://www.svibs.com/products/index.aspx

October 2011 - New Technical Paper Available for Download

A technical paper that was presented at the 4th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures (EVACES 2011), that was held from October 3-5 in Varenna, Italy, is now available for download from the FEMtools website:

E. Dascotte, Vibration Monitoring of the Hong Kong Stonecutters Bridge. Presented at the 4th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures (EVACES 2011), October 3-5, Varenna, Italy.
Download (PDF, 1.0 MB)

For more technical papers, click here.

May 2011 - FEMtools 3.5.1 Maintenance Release

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.5.1. This maintenance release provides important upgrades to the framework libraries and is released together with a new add-on for digital signal processing. Furthermore there are various minor improvements and corrections to the interface programs, commands and API functions. A new direct interface with Polytec data files is now included.

License files for FEMtools v3.5.0 remain valid for v3.5.1.

December 2010 - FEMtools 3.5 Released

Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.5. This major release introduces new functionality for pretest analysis, correlation analysis, model updating and structural optimization. Moreover, this release will extend the application reach of FEMtools to experimental modal analysis with the introduction of a new add-on for modal parameter extraction. Some of the highlights of this release are:

Support for Mac OS X 10.5+.
Numerous extensions to interfaces and drivers with FE programs based on user requests.
Support for new Ansys 13.0 binary file format.
A new add-on for polyreference modal parameter extraction from FRFs or cross power spectra.
A new interactive tool for pretest planning.
Extended flexibility in choosing DOF and mode shape sets for correlation analysis.
Improved ODS-based model updating.
Topometry optimization using discrete parameters.
Optimization of composite materials.
Optimization using genetic algorithms.

For the complete list of changes, see the FEMtools 3.5 Release Notes which can be consulted in the FEMtools Customer Support portal.

FEMtools 3.5 is now available as a free upgrade for all customers with current maintenance and technical support contract. The software can be downloaded via the FEMtools Customer Support portal. Access to the FEMtools Customer Support requires a user name and password.

December 2010 - FEMtools on Mac OS X

In response to growing demand from academic users, FEMtools 3.5 is now available as a 64-bit application for the Mac OS X platform. State-of-the-art software development technologies were used to keep the same user interface as on Windows and Linux. All FEMtools components, including solvers, data interfaces, graphics viewers and add-ons like the new modal parameter extractor were ported to the Mac.

To further test performance on the Mac, a beta version of FEMtools 3.5 is available for evaluation. Contact support@femtools.com or register at http://www.femtools.com/products/trial.htm

Screenshot of FEMtools on Mac OS X.

September 2010 - FEMtools Selected as "Editor's Pick of the Week" in Desktop Engineering Online Magazine

The upcoming FEMtools 3.5 release attracted the attention of the Desktop Engineering's editors. Read their review at

http://www.deskeng.com/articles/aaaykt.htm

July 2010 - DDS has Appointed Beijing Allstar Technology Corporation as a FEMtools Solutions Partner in China

Beijing Allstar Technology Corporation, China, is a CAE company focusing on product representation and distribution services, technical support and consulting to customers in astronautics, aeronautics, defense, automobile, railway, shipbuilding, rotary machinery, general machinery, civil engineering, electronics and energy. All employees are Ph.D. or master and each of them has more than 7 years of CAE application experience and test experience. They are familiar with most commercial FEA software and know Chinese customers? requests very well. Professional technical ability, industry experience and good communication with Chinese customers are the highlight of AllStar Tech.

Allstar Tech and DDS are looking forward to help their customers in China on FEA applications such as correlation and structural modification analysis, FE-based design, design optimization, virtual prototyping, simulation process automation and structural safety evaluation.

http://www.allstar-tech.com.cn

10 February 2010 - Launch of Japanese FEMtools Website

Dynamic Design Solutions (DDS), in collaboration with Structural Science Inc. (SSI), the FEMtools Solutions Partner for Japan, announces the launch of its FEMtools product website in Japanese language.

The new web site will provide visitors from Japan with up to date product information and news as well as access to the FEMtools support site.

See www.femtools.jp

January 2010 - Structural Science Inc. (SSI) is the New Main FEMtools Solutions Partner in Japan

Structural Science Inc. (SSI) has become the new main FEMtools Solutions Partner in Japan from January 1, 2010. SSI will provide sales and marketing of FEMtools, and technical support and maintenance services.

SSI replaces Software Express Inc. (SOEX) after the retirement of its General Manager, Mr. Oda. SOEX has served as the FEMtools Solutions Partner in Japan for more than 10 years, and successfully introduced FEMtools to Japanese companies. This company also translated most FEMtools manuals to Japanese language.

SSI already provided technical support services to several of our customers and has gained a strong knowledge of the FEMtools software. From now SSI will also become responsible for sales and marketing of FEMtools in Japan and support all Japanese customers with a new staff. During the transition phase, SOEX will continue to collaborate with SSI to guarantee a smooth transition.

Email: support@ssinst.com
http://www.ssinst.com

January 2010 - Free Online Tutorial on Using Reprise License Manager

Starting in February 2010, Reprise Software is launching a quarterly series of on-line tutorials designed to help FEMtools users get more value out of the Reprise License Manager (RLM). You can register for these free 1-hour sessions by sending an email to Reprise Software

The sessions will be conducted by Bob Mearns, lead RLM software developer who has over 15 years experience developing and supporting software license managers.

The first session is scheduled for the 10th of February at 11AM EST.

It will focus on:

- Basic RLM Server Setup
- How and where RLM looks for licenses
- Using the RLM Web Server Admin Interface
- A systematic approach to diagnosing license server connectivity problems

Space is very limited so register now.

The recorded webinars will be available for replay from the Reprise Software website.

November 2009: NAFEMS and ASME Share Forces to Promote Verification and Validation Concepts (V&V)

For many of our customers, FEMtools has become their reference tool for validating and updating FE models, especially for applications in structural dynamics simulation. For many years, however, the concepts of model verification and validation remained the domain of visionaries with no formal definitions and processes available. Recently, major engineering organizations and societies have taken initiatives to publish sustaining documents (what is, why do, or how to guides) that ultimately could become formal standards or best practices books for different engineering disciplines.

NAFEMS and ASME (American Society of Mechanics Engineers) recently cooperated to produce a leaflet entitled "What is V&V?" The attractive tri-fold color flyer is intended to be an "eye catcher" that will be freely distributed at NAFEMS and ASME events. In addition to being a pocket sized introduction to Verification and Validation, the leaflet points to the work of the NAFEMS Analysis Management Working Group (AMWG) and the ASME V&V-10 Computational Solid Mechanics standards group, just two groups contributing to the ever increasingly popular and important areas of verification and validation in computational mechanics.

The leaflet can be downloaded from the NAFEMS website (download). ASME has published a booklet entitled "Guide for Verification and Validation in Computational Solid Mechanics (ASME V&V 10-2006)" that can be purchased from their website (www.asme.org).

DDS is a member of NAFEMS and the Analysis Management Working Group (AMWG).

November 2009: Mapping Laser Scanning Measurements on a FE Mesh

Laser vibrometry or electronic holography can be used to obtain vibration modes which in turn can be correlated with finite element results. Each experimental mode shape will typically be presented as a dense cloud of scanning points with each point moving in the direction of the laser or camera. Analyzing the correlation of these vibration modes with a finite element model poses some specific problems with respect to mapping the scanned surface onto FE model, identifying and extracting the corresponding translation degrees of freedom, averaging for measurement noise and computing numerical correlation criteria.

DDS has recently developed a custom solution for postprocessing a set of data files containing measured vibration modes with an ANSYS finite element model of a turbine blade. Written in FEMtools Script, this solution automates the entire work flow and reporting of results. It can be integrated into the FEMtools menus or operated in batch mode for processing large quantities of data or as part of an integrated quality inspection system.

For more information, contact support@femtools.com

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