What's New
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.
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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What's
New