NEi Fuses Nastran and MCAD

By Anthony J. Lockwood

Noran Engineering, Inc. (NEi; Westminster, CA) has announced what it describes as “major enhancements” in version 1.2 of its NEiFusion simulation software. NEiFusion provides static, dynamic, and thermal loading analyses for both parts and assemblies. Developed for use early in the design process, NEiFusion blends the company’s proven Nastran solvers with 3D feature based, parametric MCAD modeling for true geometry associativity. Version 2.1 extends the software’s mission with an automated impact analysis wizard and enhanced functionality for optimization analyses.

Fully automated impact analyses are available in NEiFusion 1.2.

NEiFusion 1.2’s new fully automated impact analysis (AIA) wizard enables you to perform drop tests through a simple input form from which you define projectile initial velocity and acceleration. As you do that, the NEi Nastran solver automatically sets up the surface contact and calculates the time steps needed to capture an accurate nonlinear transient event simulation.

For optimization analysis, NEi has partnered with Red Cedar Technology (East Lansing, MI) and now deploys that company’s Hierarchical Evolutionary Engineering Design System (HEEDS). HEEDS enhances NEiFusion by giving you a tool through with which you can assign design objectives to minimize, maximize, or target parameters such as geometric data, weight, eigenvalues, von Mises stress, and temperature.

NEiFusion 1.2 now offers integrate HEEDS optimization.

Meshing enhancements in NEiFusion 1.2 include continuous tri meshing across surfaces and quad meshing. Single- and multi-set animations have been added for post-processing. The curve meshing capabilities in NEiFusion 1.2 support lines and arcs including those used for constructing weldments. All joints are said to be merged, and a continuous mesh is created for the lines/arcs selected in meshing. Dynamic analysis capabilities include pre-stiffened normal modes and modal transient response analysis. New thermal analysis features include the ability to apply temperature load to an entire body.

NEiFusion’s bi-directional native file translators enable it to integrate with most leading MCAD platforms, such as Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, and SolidWorks as well as such file formats as ACIS, IGES, Parasolid, and STEP.

Noran Engineering offers several routes for qualified parties learning more about its software, including WebEx demonstrations, evaluation units, and more. Click here for details on the company’s product demonstration options. (Note that registration details are required.)

To access a registration-free online demo of NEiFusion, click here. To download a registration-free PDF on NEiFusion, click here. Click here to go to the main NEiFusion web page. For full details on the new features in NEiFusion 1.2, click here.