SMI Advanced Spring Design 1

[Gearhead]

What does everybody think of the new SMI Spring Design Software?

Will this kind of software ever be available on a per use basis on the web?
Would it make sense as a web application?

 

[israelkk]

From looking at their site, it is clear that this is exactly what they are planning.

I am not familiar with their software but, for the last 17 years I am using my own development Expert System "The Ultimate Spring Designer" see:

http://www.webspawner.com/users/israelkk/

.

 

[TheTick]

We are using the old DOS version currently. SMI Spring Designer v5 had some severe flaws that caused it to incorrectly estimate stresses. We do have money budgeted for SMI Spring Designer v6.

We plan to check v6 results against the DOS version, as we know the math in the DOS version is valid.

If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[ivymike]

That's some useful info about v5, The Tick. Nice "red green" quote, too! (is that show still on?)

 

[dgallup]

Does anyone have an installation CD for SMI GSDS V5.1.1? We have a license for the program and I have the parallel port dongle but I can't find the original CD. I have a new workstation with everything I use loaded except the spring design software. SMI does not support the old version and can't/won't supply a replacement CD. I don't want to spring for the new software as we only design one or two new springs a year. I would gladly pay for the copying, shipping, handling, etc. for a new CD.

I wasn't aware of any flaws in the stress calculations, can you elaborate? Our springs are very low stress.

 

[TheTick]

I just got off the phone with a spring vendor and we were just discussing the issue with v5. Good to hear it again from another source.

Basically, SMI v5 was underestimating spring stress for torsion springs for any given duty cycle (severe, light, medium). The net result was that springs would fatigue and break prematurely (by a factor of 5x or more cycles) though calculations showed stress in the "green".

p.s.
Gee, one pink star and I'm pegged as #2 expert for this forum! Please don't believe it, folks!

If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[dgallup]

So the problem with SMI V5 was limited to torsion springs? That's good to hear as we don't do any of those. I did check the stresses on my compression springs and they appear to be spot on.

Still need a copy of the software, anyone got it? We paid for it and I have the dongle, just can't install it on my new PC. I could kill our MIS staff, I gave it to them for safe keeping.

 

[TheTick]

I can't say whether the problem was unique to the torsion springs. We have no need to design extension springs, so it never came up.

If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.