Digital prototyping technology developed by NEi Software Inc. (NEi) lets you determine the response of parts and assemblies to structural and thermal loads early in the design cycle, saving time, money, and resources on physical prototypes, test programs, and redesigns. Processors such as Femap, NEi Fusion, and NEi Works powered by new features in NEi Nastran assist you in performing simulations faster, easier, and with better real-world fidelity.
Cervelo Cycles uses NEi Nastran to analyze high-performance bicycle frames for the bikes it provides for competitions like the Tour de France. 
The software helps meet the demands of global competition for high quality, innovative products, at the best manufacturing cost. The finite-element analysis (FEA) program lets you virtually test parts, assemblies, and products in your computer before you make the first part. You can catch design flaws and optimize features quickly and easily at the drawing stage. With the analysis results, you can confidently approach physical prototyping and testing on critical areas.
These programs reveal in detail how designs will respond to both structural and thermal loads. Parameters like stress, strain, deformation, vibration modes, heat flux, temperature distributions, and more can be visually displayed in a variety of outputs such as color contour graphs, data plots, and animations that clearly convey product performance.
The software is structured to validate each phase of product development from proof-of-concept, what-if studies, and design-validation to high-level detailed analysis using different modelers including Femap, NEi Works, and NEi Fusion. Each of these products has distinctive pre and post processing capabilities while sharing a common solver technology base in NEi Nastran. This base insures a smooth, continuous, and well-integrated software environment.
New virtual-testing tools in NEi’s portfolio include: Automated Impact Analysis and Drop Test (AIA), Design Optimization, Automated Surface Contact Generation (ASCG), Automated Edge Connection Generation (AECG), and hyperelastic and composite material modeling.
AIA is used in a variety of areas from military projectiles to product packaging to drop testing of consumer electronic products like cellphones. Design Optimization finds solutions for complex designs with conflicting parameters, for example, in structures that must be both strong and light. ASCG provides real world fidelity in modeling assemblies. AECG speeds model creation for shell type structures like, cars, ships, and aircraft. Hyperelastic capabilities allow modeling of rubber like materials.
These examples illustrate recent real-world applications.
Farr Yacht Design (FYD) insures their boats can withstand the rigors of demanding ocean races. FYD is a worldwide leader in the design and engineering of high-performance racing yachts for major events including the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race, as well as custom and production yachts for builders around the globe.
Cessna Aircraft used Nei Nastran to perform finite-element analysis on the new Citation CJ3 and Citation Mustang business jets.
“Structural analysis is an increasingly important component of successful racing yacht design,” comments Dave Fornaro, FYD design engineer. “We have been using FEA for several years to validate and improve our designs and we wanted to enhance our suite of analysis tools with more advanced capabilities in several areas including laminated composites, non-linear surface contact with friction, and bolted joints with pre-load. After an exhaustive review, NEi Nastran stood out based on its capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and technical support.”
FYD’s first application of Nastran is for designs for the Volvo Ocean Race, a grueling round-the-world race sailed in fully crewed, 70-foot carbon fiber yachts capable of speeds over 40 knots. “These designs are forging new frontiers in ocean racing,” adds Fornaro. “They operate in harsh and brutal conditions, and require a rigorous level of structural design and analysis to ensure peak performance and safety. We are confident that it will be an excellent tool for the job and we have been extremely satisfied with the support.”
Cessna Aircraft Co. analyzes the performance of structures for commercial business jets. Cessna used NEi Nastran to perform finite-element analysis on the new Citation CJ3 and Citation Mustang business jets.
Customer driven enhancements like the Tension-Only Quad Element allowed Cessna to avoid redundant models and repetitive work function, reducing analysis cycle time. NEi Nastran delivered advanced finite element analysis capabilities, complete access to legacy data, and technical support to Cessna’s line engineers while offering a significant reduction in life cycle cost for the Citation Mustang and CJ3.
Cervelo Cycles builds composite bicycle frames for high profile events like the Tour de France. Cervélo, maker of professional road and triathlon bikes, uses Noran Engineering’s finite-element analysis software. The level of design complexity in the bicycle industry has been steadily increasing and computer-aided engineering tools are needed to optimize engineering materials like carbon composites and extend design metrics like strength-to-weight ratio, vibration characteristics, and flexural stiffness. “We chose NEi Nastran because of its accuracy, functionality, and demonstrated value,” said Don Guichard, Director of Engineering.
Cervélo most recently introduced a super-light carbon frame and provided bikes in this year’s Tour de France to Team CSC which earned two stage wins by Jens Voight and Frank Schleck, earned second in the team classification, and saw Carlos Sastre finish fourth overall. Phil White and Gérard Vroomen founded Cervélo Cycles in 1995 with a new time-trial bicycle for professional racing.
Today, the Toronto-based firm is the largest time-trial bike manufacturer in the world and has a major partnership agreement with Team CSC, managed by Bjarne Riis, 1996 winner of the Tour de France.
Noran Engineering Inc
www.nenastran.com
:: Design World ::
Filed Under: Software • FEA, ENGINEERING SOFTWARE