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News Archives2008
2007
2006
2005
2004 2003
September 2008 - DDS Demonstrates FEMtools and ARTeMIS Integration for Structural Health Evaluation at ISMA 2008 ConferenceAt the ISMA 2008 conference in Leuven, Dynamic Design Solutions demonstrated an experimental setup integrating a 4-channel data acquisition system, ARTeMIS output-only modal analysis and FEMtools Optimization to identify a structural modification of a vibrating plate structure. Time series data (acceleration) was obtain from a 4-channel data acquisition system connected by USB to a notebook computer and directly imported in FEMtools. Using a FEMtools Script, data was transferred to ARTeMIS Extractor by ActiveX. ARTeMIS is a commercial software for Operational Modal Analysis that is used by civil engineers for ambient vibration analysis of large structures like bridges and buildings (www.svibs.com). ARTeMIS returned a set of resonance frequencies and mode shapes that were then displayed in FEMtools and correlated against analytical mode shapes. This setup was used to demonstrate localization of a 50 gram mass on a vibrating plate using correlation between the mode shapes of the plate without and with added mass and a custom updating script. The complete integration and automation, from data acquisition to modal correlation and model updating, is an efficient tool to support research in structural health evaluation systems (SHES) and damage identification.
For more information on this setup, contact support@femtools.com
September 2008 - New Paper on FEMtools Optimization ApplicationThe following paper was added to the downloads: T. Lauwagie, J. Strobbe, E. Dascotte, J. Clavier, M. Monteagudo, Optimization of the Dynamic Response of a Complete Exhaust System, presented at the International Seminar on Modal Analysis 2008 (ISMA), September 15-17, 2008, Leuven, Belgium. Download (PDF, 1.2 MB) This paper presents an optimization approach for tailoring the dynamic response of a complete exhaust system using finite element modeling and was presented at the ISMA 2008 conference in Leuven, Belgium. It shows the results from a collaborative research project between Faurecia Exhaust System Division (R&D Center) and Dynamic Design Solutions. Click here to go to the complete list of downloadable papers
June 2008 - FEMtools 3.3 Released with New Optimization moduleDynamic 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:
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 March 2008 - Hong Kong Highways Orders FEMtools for Postprocessing Stonecutters Bridge Monitoring DataDynamic 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.
For the complete press release, click here.
March 2008 - Announcing FEMtools OptimizationDynamic 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:
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.
December 2007 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner for Southern AfricaDynamic 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 October 2007 - Successful FEMtools Presentations in ChinaFollowing 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 LauwagieDynamic 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. June 2007 - FEMtools 3.2 Released!Dynamic Design Solutions announces that FEMtools 3.2 has been released. FEMtools 3.2 is a major revision of the FEMtools suite that adds new functionality and improves existing modules. New operating systems are supported and native 64-bit versions of the program are now available. The new release continues Dynamic Design Solutions' commitment to the FE model validation and updating field and extends the application reach of FEMtools in the structural dynamics simulation field. Some of the highlights of FEMtools 3.2 are:
The installation packs are available for download from the FEMtools support site. For the complete list of changes, see the FEMtools 3.2 Release Notes. May 2007 - Dynamic Design Solutions Adopts Reprise License Manager for the FEMtools Product SuiteWith 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 ConferenceDynamic 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:
December 2006 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner in ChinaDynamic 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.
November 2006 - AEDES Software Integrates FEMtools Framework FEA SolversAEDES 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. 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 IndiaDynamic 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:
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 KoreaDynamic 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 and non-linear analysis, thermal analysis, fluid flow and motion dynamic analysis. CYCYLOS 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 and 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.
April 2006 - New FEMtools Solutions Partner in SpainDynamic 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.
February 2006 - FEMtools Manuals Available in Japanese LanguageSoftware 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.
December 2005 - Dynamic Design Solutions Joins ABAQUS Inc. Partner ProgramFor 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 DownloadThe 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.
September 2005 - Release of FEMtools 3.1Dynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.1. The 3.1 release includes numerous improvements and continues to add new functionality. The new release confirms the companies' technological leadership in the FE model validation and updating field and extends the application reach of FEMtools into the optimization field. Some of the highlights of FEMtools 3.1 are
FEMtools 3.1 is available for Windows 2000/XP, HP-UX, IBM AIX, Sun Solaris, SGI IRIX and Linux (Red Hat & SUSE). Shipping starts in October 2005.
March 2005 - Simulating Dynamic Response of Civil Engineering StructuresModel 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:
September 2004 - New Product for CFD-FEA Coupling based on FEMtools FrameworkSmartCAE Srl, distributor of FEMtools in Italy, has announced the first release of Smart|Coupling, a tool for coupling and linking of mathematical models coming from different disciplines, thus allowing a seamless multiphysics interaction. Smart|Coupling is developed in FEMtools Framework 3.0. The software enables coupling of models with different discretization (grids, coordinate systems, units). The coupling can be done manually or half-automatically. Smart|Coupling can also interpolate values in nodes or elements/cells, transferring results from one to another grid. Smart|Coupling is able to transfer data between the major CAE platforms in the market:
The typical workflow with Smart|Coupling is:
Smart|Coupling allows true multiphysics without changing your CAE tools or your procedures. Interfaces with NASTRAN, I-DEAS, ANSYS, ABAQUS, Fluent, Pam-Stamp are already available with others available on demand. More information on Smart|Coupling can be found at:
November 2003 - FEMtools 3.0 ReleaseDynamic Design Solutions announces the release of FEMtools 3.0. Major new features are the addition of complex modes analysis, a fast modal solver for re-analysis of perturbed models, rigid body modes analysis, integrated system matrix reduction (Guyan, dynamic, IRS, iterated IRS), and support of updating parameter relations (linear/non-linear; equality/inequality). Analysis of cross-orthogonality correlation between FEA and test modes using system matrices reduced to the test locations can now be completely and efficiently automated with all analysis done within the FEMtools environment or by driving standard FEA software. A new tool for modal probabilistic analysis is added to study the effect of uncertainty of input parameters on modal responses. This tool can also be used to generate data for statistical correlation. The FEMtools user interface has been enhanced with multiple floating/dockable toolbars, a report generator wizard, redesigned data entry forms, and a parameter value slider for interactively viewing results of design changes. Parts of the source code have been rewritten and optimized. For example, speed improvement of up to 100 times faster execution have been obtained for FRF and MAC sensitivity analysis. Several new add-on tools for FEMtools 3.0 will be released progressively, including Design of Experiments (DOE), regression analysis (RSM), topological optimization, and shape optimization. Furthermore the FEMtools API is further expanded to support user programming of FE model improvement procedures, analysis integration, and CAE process automation. FEMtools 3.0 is available for Windows 2000/XP, HP-UX, IBM AIX, Sun Solaris, SGI IRIX and Red Hat Linux. Shipping has started early November 2003.
July 2003 - SmartCAE Develops Interfaces for Pro/Mechanica and GLView ProUsing FEMtools Script, SmartCAE s.r.l has developed interfaces between FEMtools and Pro/Mechanica and CEETRON's GLView. SmartCAE is the FEMtools Solutions Partner in Italy. The interface with Pro/Mechanica is used to import FE mesh and mode shapes for correlation analysis with test data. The interface with GLView uses the ASCII VTF file format to export FE meshes and modes shapes. Other data types will be added later. GLView can be used to visualize the data or to export it in the native GLView format. Such a GLView file can be visualized using the free GLView plugin for Internet Explorer. If you are interested in these interfaces or would like to evaluate them, contact support@femtools.com or Francesco Palloni at SmartCAE (f.palloni@smartcae.com ).
http://www.glview.com
January 2003 - New Low Cost Academic Licensing OptionsIn response to the increasing demand from academic users for its FEMtools software, Dynamic Design Solutions announces that it is now offering new low cost academic license options for the full suite of FEMtools modules, including Application Framework with all FEA interfaces, Correlation Analysis and Model Updating. The new academic licenses are annual node-locked or floating licenses that include software upgrades, and support. The software can be configured for unlimited model size or for models with up to 16000 nodes. License fees start from less than $1000 USD. For more information contact sales@femtools.com.
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Artist impression of the Hong Kong Stonecutters bridge.