FEA program opinions? 19

[MechElement]

Hello, I'm in the market for a license of SWx, but I would also like a good FEA program to accompany SWx. I've heard about NENastran & COSMOS running with SolidWorks, but it appears everyone has a different opinion about them. I'm a mechanical designer and working in the Middle East. I'm returning to the States for good in August to go back to school and finish my BSME.

Which FEA program works best with SWx?

 

[GBor]

Well,

I thought you would get an onslaught of opinions, so I'll start out. NENastran is a good program and is very reasonably priced for the power and the widely accepted name of Nastran. If you are going into the aerospace industry, this would be a very wise choice. If you are new to FEA, having a single interface for SWx and COSMOS would make it easier to learn the basic steps. COSMOS is also a quality program, but I don't believe it carries the approval rating that NENastran has.

Most other FEA programs have some way of interfacing with CAD programs...either IGES file export from SW and import into your FEA program or STEP files...a variety of other export/import options.

Many will disagree with me, but I'm also a fan of Algor FEA software. I think they are coming along with their user interface, but this is the package with which I started my FEA career, so I know its quirks. It imports trimmed surface IGES files quite well as it also does STEP files.

I've run these three programs against each other with very comparable results on some very complex problems (linear and non-linear).

The greatest advantage to NENastran is the front end...FEMAP. I don't like the older versions of FEMAP, but if you are just starting out, FEMAP translates a variety of FEA models into other formats, so if you are trying to interface with someone that has an FEA package other than the one you select, FEMAP will likely pull it in and translate it for you...VERY handy in the consulting world.

There are many other mid-grade FEA packages that will do quite well...these are just three of my favorites.

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[MechElement]

GBor, thanks for the information. I am actually new to FEA. I found out that COSMOS is used at universities which have SWx in their curriculum. I'm not sure how similar the programs are. I've been reading about Nastran for a couple of days now. There seems to be more info on Nastran than COSMOS.

 

[GBor]

"Nastran" as a "last name" is many programs. There are a variety of Nastran packages starting with MSC Nastran, which, in my opinion, is way overpriced for the capability. NENastran from Noran Engineering has the same or greater functionality, costs much less, and runs well on a PC. There are a few other Nastran species out there, but I think NENastran is probably the fastest growing at the moment.

Universities running SW would run COSMOS because they get a GREAT deal on the bundled package. Since COSMOS and SW are owned by the same company, they want to put both of these packages in the hands of engineers that will be making software purchasing decisions in a few years. If you are trying to compare similarities of SW and COSMOS, COSMOS can be run inside the SW interface. SW would be the modeler and COSMOS the analytical engine.

I'm kinda' disappointed...I thought you would get an onslaught of opinions. Ansys and Abaqus are both GREAT packages, but a little pricey and probably not worth the investment for learning FEA. Pro-E with Mechanica has its place, although it is a p-element convergence code, not an h-element like most of the others I mentioned. There are numerous packages out there...take a look around and ENJOY!

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[MechElement]

Actually I've read that you can run NEiNastran in SWx and it's called "NEiWorks" with it setup like that. I read about it on Noran Engineering's website.

Thanks again. I'm doing more research and checking out those other programs.

Jason

 

[GregLocock]

"I'm kinda' disappointed...I thought you would get an onslaught of opinions."

I am tempted to repeat an Ausssie saying. "Opinions are like - , everybody has one".

How many people have used recent versions of two different FEA systems enough to make a valid comparison? And given that the OP hasn't even stated what sort of analysis he wants to do, only a telepath can really help. Is price a constraint? Or does he value ease of use more highly than price? Does he need to be able to read other people's models in? etc etc etc

FWIW my employer spent a fortune (about the same as the GNP of a small country at a guess) on an integrated FEA and CAD package. I'd love to know how many FEA models are actually run on it other than during the training course. I /know/ that it is not used by the CAE engineers. ever.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[corus]

Integrated CAD and FEA packages are loved by managers who know absolutely nothing about their use but believe it follows a 'concurrent enginneering' strategy on their roadmap to following the success of MG Rover in the UK. Besides that integrated CAD and FEA pacakges allow any idiot on minimum wage to press a button and produce pretty colour pictures. What more could you want?

corus

 

[MechElement]

Greg, I'm new to FEA. Sorry for leaving out the most obvious needed information.

I would like to be able to read other people's models and price is of concern. I'd like the software to have linear static analysis, transient heat transfer, buckling analysis, heat transfer, nonlinear static analysis, dynamic response, modes, etc. A diverse selection of materials is a plus. I'm sure there more important features I have left out, but I'm just not familiar with them at this point in time.

I'd like to try to keep the price down since I'm planning on purchasing SWx as well. I've been told to purchase the base SWx or Pro Package and an FEA program and I'd be in great shape. Since it is my first FEA program, I suppose it would be nice if it wasn't the most difficult program to learn.

BTW, I didn't know that was an Aussie saying... I always thought it was a military expression. Again, sorry about the vagueness.

Jason

 

[GBor]

Greg,

I had a little additional information from the SolidWorks forum, but I did think people would start to endorse their personal favorites...not necessarily do any comparison.

As for the integrated packages, I think they're good for small models. Get into something complicated and I prefer to run the packages separately to reduce the burden on the computer (particularly the RAM). Whole-heartedly agree that the integrated packages turn everyone into an engineer with dangerous consequences!

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[ProbaSci]

Most FEA producers are claiming that their packages are modular, with the basic package usually being linear static. If you are new to FEA, the easiest and cheapest way to get started is with linear static and you can do quite a bit of good engineering with just that. Once you start doing transient / nonlinear / dynamic the cost and the expertise rise steeply.

I think you will be discouraged by the cost of a full package that does everything you mentioned, because I'd say that for most popular FEA packages, "you get what you pay for". That doesn't mean that cheaper packages are not good, but the capabilities, interface, refinement, customer support etc usually improve as cost improves. Ultimately, it requires some experience and knowledge of your intended applications to know what level of these parameters are appropriate for your needs.

I'd suggest you use your time at school and while employed to learn as much as you can about FEA using whatever free resources are available to you. Then when you are in a better position to evaluate what you need, you can make a more informed decision. A considerable portion of this time should go toward how to validate and verify your model results, when you find a package that allows you to do V&V confidently and efficiently you probably have found a package that is good for you.

http://www.probasci.com

-
Implantable FEA for medical device manufacturers

 

[GBor]

Well Said, ProbaSci! A star for your wisdom...

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[ProbaSci]

Much thanks Garland

http://www.probasci.com

-
Implantable FEA for medical device manufacturers

 

[Jabberwocky]

I am in a similar position at our company, trying to decide between the packages without being a FEA expert. We use SolidWorks in-house so I have confined my search to COSMOSWorks and neiWorks from NASTRAN.

Based on the costs, I would recommend you look into the Office Premium package of SolidWorks. It includes the most basic level of COSMOSWorks - Designer. I'm not sure if that will meet your needs but I have just been quoted a price that shows that the Office Premium package is $1000 cheaper than buying SolidWorks and COSMOS Designer seperately.

 

[MechElement]

Jabberwocky, I received a quote an hour ago and the reseller told me that the "Office Professional Package" comes with the most basic COSMOS - COSMOSXpress. I like the functionality, database & file management the Office Pro. series offers. It's $5.5K + $1.5K subscription.

"The Office Premium Package includes all of the functionality of SolidWorks, and SolidWorks Office Professional, plus Routing and CosmosWorks Designer. Cosmos is a true FEA software." I like everything this series offers. It's $8K + $2K subscription.

 

[fkmeyers]

I would be very careful here because these types of deals usually have limits on model size or other features in an effort to get you to upgrade later at a much greater cost.

 

[MechElement]

I did some reading and it says COSMOSWorks Designer is created for nonspecialists. After researching COSMOS, it sounds to me like it is a simplified, user-friendly FEA software.

Standalone COSMOSWorks Designer costs $3500 + $1000 subscription.

 

[johnhors]

"COSMOSWorks Designer is created for nonspecialists"

"simplified, user-friendly FEA software"

Would you board a train, ship, aircraft .... if you knew that vital components had been analysed by "nonspecialists" using this software?

 

[MechElement]

johnhors, Heck NO!!!

Good point!

 

[Jabberwocky]

MechElement - that matches the pricing I received - you save $1000 by buying the Premium package instead of Professional and a standalone Designer - plus whatever routing and PDM and such is included.

I'm still reasonably sure that nobody is using COSMOSWorks (much less the weakest "Designer" version" in place of standard engineering practices and common sense - it does seem capable of the most basic types of FEA though. They have very clear matrix sheets on what capabilities are included with each level of package - check the website.

If all you are looking for is some linear static analysis of parts and assemblies (and are not a FEA specialist) can anybody give me a better deal than COSMOSWorks Designer?

As for johnhors - don't forget: That train, ship, aircraft was also built by the lowest bidder.

 

[MechElement]

Jabberwocky --==-- "If all you are looking for is some linear static analysis of parts and assemblies (and are not a FEA specialist) can anybody give me a better deal than COSMOSWorks Designer?"

I believe COSMOSXpress covers that and it's included in the Office Professional Package... I'm in contact with NEiNastran now and I'm waiting for pricing information.

-Jason