NEi Software Gives Nastran Support for FEMAP

By Margaret S. Gurney

In addition to distributing Siemens PLM Software’s FEMAP, NEi Software (Westminster, CA)  infuses it with additional functionality, training, and services. By integrating FEMAP with NEi Nastran, NEi Software offers advanced capabilities specifically for handling the challenges associated with composites engineering and analysis.

FEMAP v9 by Siemens PLM Software is a Windows-native, CAD- and solver-independent pre- and postprocessor used by engineering organizations worldwide to model various products, processes, and systems. Its graphical user interface (GUI) provides streamlined, direct access to all FEMAP functionality. Integrating tightly with NEi Nastran, this version of FEMAP includes new functionality like a composites layup modeling interface, expanded data surface capabilities,  geometry thicken, custom tools toolbar, group operation Booleans, and postprocessing contour display.

FEMAP v9 also offers model info tree enhancements for load and constraint definition, and provides access to API utilities through a customer tools toolbar. The pre- and postprocessor provides integration to a wide range of industry-standard structural and thermal solvers.

Tools cover advanced failure criteria for first ply failure like Puck and LARC02, and Progressive Ply Failure Analysis (PPFA) for simulation of behavior beyond first ply failure. Automated Impact Analysis (AIA) provides simulation for drop tests and implicit impact studies. Productivity tools like Automated Surface Contact Generation (ASCG) and Automated Edge Contact Generation (AECG) help in industries with models having large shell-like structures as found in shipbuilding and automotive industries.

What FEMAP Is
FEMAP by Siemens PLM Software is a professional level pre- and postprocessor used for setting up models for analysis and viewing the results of engineering simulations for structural, thermal, and fluid problems. It can import geometry from all major 3D CAD systems and uses a variety of finite element analysis (FEA) and computation fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers to obtain solutions and results.

Designers, engineers,  and analysts rely on FEMAP to gain the technical insight they need to assure the quality of their designs — ranging from simple linear static analysis to advanced multiphysics solutions. FEMAP is used to simulate everything from simple solid parts to complex assemblies and full systems.

FEMAP has been applied to well-known, high-profile projects, in a wide variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, maritime, petroleum, medical, and consumer goods. Users benefit from reduced product development costs, improved physical testing processes, and quicker time to market.

FEMAP V9.3 Features
Version 9.3 of FEMAP from NEi Software offers geometry import/export, specifically CATIA import with a new direct CATIA v5 translator; IGES import; IGES export, specifically Parasolid; and import of VDA, I-deas, Pro/ENGINEER, Solid Edge v19, and Unigraphics, and others.

FEMAP V9.3 offers a new method of applying loads through data surfaces, a composite layup modeling interface, and enhanced geometry manipulation tools. New icons and toolbars add greater flexibility to the modeling process, and an expanded Model Info tree encompasses more functionality at the top level.

FEMAP V9.3 enhancements include new composites layup dialogs; 1D and 2D data surfaces; a model info tree for load and constraint definition; project nodes; merge nodes; new entity picking methods; and other user interface enhancements.

FEMAP V9.3 also offers a postprocessing contour display: Through the group functionality,  all contour styles (i.e., contours, criteria, beam diagrams, iso-surfaces,  section cuts, contour vectors, etc.) can selectively be displayed or not,  allowing FEMAP to display partial results on a model. This allows you to define where you wish to see the results while leaving the remainder of the model visible, but not contoured.

Miscellaneous enhancements include support for the Patran neutral file, and all geometric entities can be migrated from Patran into FEMAP, including named components or groups. Plus, the facility to check element distortion using the Jacobian approach has been added as well as improved support for the 3Dconnexion Space Navigator devices. Finally, the FEMAP material library has been extended to include more than 240 material definitions.

Geometry creation includes create point, line, circle, spline, surface, volume; Boolean and extrude/revolve solid modeling; mid-surface extraction and extended surfaces;  project curves onto surfaces; and more. Other new capabilities include various functions under meshing, element library,  materials, loads and constraints, groups and layers, results processing,  solution capabilities, analysis set manager, user interface, graphics, and customization.

Version 10 on the Horizon
FEMAP is for product design and development professionals who have moved beyond typical in-CAD simulation software or more limited FEA products. By procuring FEMAP from NEi Software, users gain NEi Software’s live technical support from a staff of experienced analysts, offering what the company says is “the best FEMAP Nastran training in the industry with eTraining and local classes across the U.S.”

Julia Oien, who is VP of Sales for North America at NEi Software,  says, “The aspect I find particularly gratifying in working with our FEMAP customers is knowing that NEi Software’s support will be a significant and very much appreciated ingredient in their initial and ongoing success. NEi Software’s long history with FEMAP providing application assistance, technical support, training classes, and consulting has allowed NEi to develop an organization that enables us to mentor our customers so they get the most from simulation, digital prototyping technology, and their software investment.”

NEi Software says that FEMAP Modeler Version 10 is “coming soon.” It will be the latest release of the finite element modeling pre- and postprocessor application known for its tight integration with the Nastran solver. The v10 release focuses on core simulation tasks, including preprocessing and meshing. New tools are provided for meshing complex structures more accurately, verifying mesh integrity and accuracy, and optimizing the mesh to efficiently capture the true structural response.

For further details,  please go directly to NEi Software’s FEMAP webpage.

Read why DE’s editors chose this as a Pick of the Week.

NEi Software has posted several case studies to read.

NEi Software makes the FEMAP tutorial available.

Request demo or more info from NEi Software.

Read up on NEi Nastran.

See Nastran TV for archived video webinars on FEMAP and FEMAP v10 (due out in the end of November).

Register for a webinar to speed up your design process with FEMAP and Nastran.

NEi Software offers details on structural and thermal solvers.

Access NEi Software’s technical support.

Read about NEi Software’s training.

Read about Version 10 of FEMAP — “coming soon.”

Access Siemens PLM Software web material on FEMAP.

To find out more about Space Navigator, go to 3Dconnexion.

Read a previous DE Editor’s Pick of the Week on NEi Software, “More than 80 Enhancements in NEi Nastran V9.1,” (Aug 2008).

Read a recent DE Editor’s Pick of the Week on NEi Software, “NEi Fusion V1.4 Merges CAD & Nastran,” (Sept 2008).

Margaret S. Gurney is the editor for new products at Desktop Engineering magazine.