FEMtools 3.5 Release Information

FEMtools 3.5 is a major revision of the FEMtools software suite that introduces new functionality for pretest analysis, correlation analysis, model updating and structural optimization. Moreover, this release extends the application reach of FEMtools to experimental modal analysis with the introduction of a new add-on for modal parameter extraction.

The highlights of FEMtools 3.5 are:

FEMtools 3.5 adds support for Mac OS X 10.5+.
This release introduces the Tabify window arrangement, docked dialog boxes and panels.
There are 21 new commands to be used in command scripts. Programmers will benefit from new FEMtools Script functions and new FEMtools API functions.
Numerous extensions to interfaces and drivers with FE programs were made based on user requests. The NASTRAN and ANSYS interface programs have been updated to support the recent ANSYS 13 and MSC.Nastran 2010 releases.
Manual Pretest Analysis - A new tools for interactively select DOFs for placing test transducers and directly evaluate the effect on the MAC-matrix. DOFs can be interactively added or removed by picking on the nodes of an FE model.
Modal Parameter Extractor Add-On - The new Modal Parameter Extractor (MPE) add-on module is a tool for extracting modal parameters from a set of Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) or cross-power spectra. It can be used for classic input-output modal analysis or operational output-only modal analysis.
Correlation Analysis - All shape correlation criteria now use consistent settings for specifying the coordinate system, a DOF set and shape set.
ODS-based Model Updating - The correlation metrics used for ODS-based model updating now includes the Displacement Phase Correlation (DPC). This criterion expresses the overall phase difference between two shapes.
Discrete material optimization (DMO) is a newly added tool that aims at optimizing the lay-up of composite materials. DMO can identify the optimal material and orientation angle of each ply, out of a discrete set of available materials and acceptable orientation angles.
Optimization using Genetic Algorithms - Genetic algorithms are stochastic optimization methods. Using concepts of natural selection and genetics, they iteratively search for the optimal solution.
Discrete Topometry Optimization - The topometry optimizer now supports the use of discrete plate thickness values as optimization parameters.

FEMtools 3.5.1 maintenance release (April 2011) 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.