FEA Software for these use cases 2

[KWilliston]

Hi everyone,

I have been tasked with determining the appropriate FEA software at my company. Only myself will be using the software, at least initially. In the past I have used LS-DYNA for about 1.5 years and ABAQUS and ANSYS for a fraction of that time (introduction to the software during classes). Cost isn't a top concern but I do want to be mindful and smart about what software I purchase, using the right software for our use case. I have been reading the forums and learning about the various options but it is nice to get others opinions for the problems I will be facing and the results I am looking for.

So our use cases:

1) Optimization of parts to save on cost and maintain the desired strength and life expectancy. For example does a part require ribs in a certain area, how big does it need to be and other things of that nature.
2) Repetitive impact testing on parts. For example cycling a force on a part over a period of time to approximate how it will fail through fatigue.
3) Refrigeration problems. I work in the food industry and several of our products deal with cooling a product case and aluminum to certain levels. To ensure the product stays in a specific temperature range.
4) Ability to model flexible material, typically plastics with a high level of elasticity. It would be especially useful to be able to model the elastic material stretching while being pressed by a piston and this would in turn push liquid out of a chamber/tube. I suppose multi-material/multi physics capabilities.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Mustaine3]

1) Topology optimization
2) Fatigue code
3) Good FEA solver
4) Advanced FEA solver

In my opinion, no single software can handle all that tasks.
1) and 2) require special software.
3) can be handled by every good nonlinear code (Ansys, Abaqus, ...).
4) is special and not easy. I've seen a video, where Abaqus Explicit is doing that with the CEL method.

Since you could use Abaqus for 3) and 4), you could use their extended token concept and use their other product as well. That would allow you to use Tosca for 1) and fe-safe for 2). Additionally you could use iSight for process automation and parameter optimization.

 

[stressebookllc]

Just to add, many topology optimization programs exist, examples are Optistruct, another example is

http://www.quint.co.jp/eng

2) also requires a special add in or license to work with existing CAD programs or FEA programs.
3) and 4) can be handles by any reputed FEA program like Mustaine3 said.

http://www.stressebook.com

Stressing Stresslessly!

 

[KWilliston]

Thank you for the input so far. I guess I should also note that we use Creo 2.0 as our CAD software currently and compatibility with that program would be useful. I will look into the mentioned software, I know Abaqus can be quite expensive so if I am looking at purchasing multiple software I will need to be cautious budget-wise.

 

[rstupplebeen]

I am by far most familiar with Dassault Systems products since I consult with and sell them. Here are the ones that address your needs.
1. Isight (parametric optimization) and/or Tosca (topology optimization)
2. Fe-Safe
3. Abaqus
4. Abaqus using CELL

I hope this helps.


Rob Stupplebeen

http://www.optimaldevice.com

https://sites.google.com/site/robertkstupplebeen/