ESPcomposites, I accept your point. The word 'inexpensive' was a wrong choice. I should have said 'less expensive'. To answer your question about my background, I have an MS degree in mechanical engineering and I have a PEs license. I have lot of experience in design, R & D and testing. So what I am saying is I am not a green engineer and I do not believe that I am a button pusher. Though if using ABAQUS CAE makes one a button pusher then I probably am one.
I did not start FEA in automotive or aerospace industries. I worked in reciprocating compressor manufacturing industry where FEA is relatively a late entrant. I say 'relatively', so it means about 13 years old instead of 35 years old. When I started doing FEA (12 years ago) ABAQUS CAE was already available. Therefore I did not see the point of writing input files. Though I understand the structure of ABAQUS input files and have modified these files at times. I have been member of NAFEMS for a long time and have read lot of their publications.
I try to take adequate care in balancing the loads and checking mesh convergence. I have used contacts quite often. I have done strain gage testing a number of times to check the results. I have been reading the comments on this group for 8 years.
In terms of business, this is still in a preliminary stage. I have not identified any potential customers. I live in the Bay area. It is possible that my question is premature and I am putting the horse before the cart.
Thanks,
Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.