Low-Cost NASTRAN Said Not to Crimp Power

By DE Editors

The MacNeal Group LLC (Altadena, CA) describes its new NASTRAN L-Seriesas a true NASTRAN system for the CAE users who need easy, affordable,and individual access to NASTRAN capabilities without having to waitfor the corporate NASTRAN resources to be freed up. Three flavorscomprise the company’s NASTRAN L-Series product suite—Linear Staticanalysis, linear static and modal analyses, and linear static, modaland dynamic analyses—with each offered for a one-time charge.

The NASTRAN L-Series, says the company, is not a NASTRAN emulator.Rather, it’s based on a “true” NASTRAN architecture with scalablematrix operations. Additionally, the L-Series can be used inconjunction with most of popular FE (finite element) pre- andpost-processors.

Each L-Series product offers a full range of modeling tools, such asgrids, elements, constraint elements, material properties, loads, andconstraints. The company also says the product lines incorporate newand unique finite element technologies and solver. Additionally, allthe L-Series products are said to provide the ability to use standardDMAP sequences, modify them, or develop your very own.

L-Series members leverage off the base product NASTRAN-LS, whichprovides linear static analyses, including inertia relief. NASTRAN-LMextends of NASTRAN-LS to include normal modes analysis and eigenvaluebuckling analyses. NASTRAN-LD includes all of these capabilities aswell as complex eigenvalue analysis and frequency response andtransient response analyses using either the direct or modalformulations.

NASTRAN L-Series runs on Windows 2000 or Windows XP systems. Productlicenses start at $995 for NASTRAN-LS and top out at $2,995 forNASTRAN-LD. For complete details, go to the MacNeal Group website byclicking here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.