If you were going to pick a challenging use case for CFD software, you couldn’t do much better than Formula 1 racing. It’s a high-stakes game, with fast development cycles, and even faster feedback on failures. Every two weeks during the season, F1 teams get a reality check on their engineering. As a practical matter,…
Advanced Modeling & Simulation Techniques for Multibody Robotic Systems
This webinar introduces new techniques and case studies for efficiently increasing the fidelity of system models for multibody robotic system design. Using symbolic computation techniques, multibody models can be effectively preprocessed to select optimal coordinate frames, eliminate redundant calculations, simplify algebraic constraints, and generate computationally minimal code for real-time deployment. Furthermore, novel mathematical techniques can…
MEMS-based Device Accurately Measures Blood Viscosity
The viscosity of blood is widely regarded as an indicator of general health. When a blood vessel is damaged or broken, blood loss needs to be minimized, so a series of reactions begins to form a blood clot. A number of medical conditions adversely affect this process and in these cases patients are often prescribed…
High-tech Tools for High-tech Jobs
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is implementing Maple, MapleSim, and MapleNet software in its various space-related projects. Whether creating America’s first satellite, Explorer 1, sending the first robotic craft to the moon, or exploring the edges of the solar system, JPL has been at the forefront of pushing the limits of exploration. Curiosity, JPLs latest space…
Simulation Drives Monster Machines
Arktos Developments Ltd. (ADL), designer and manufacturer of an amphibious vehicle known as the Arktos Craft, uses Autodesk’s simulation software to prepare its products to operate in some of the world’s most environmentally demanding locations. Originally designed as an amphibious evacuation craft for Arctic offshore oil facilities, the Arktos Craft can move from -50° C…
Real World Nonlinear Mechanical Applications
Until recently, most finite element analysis (FEA) applications undertaken by design engineers were limited to linear analysis which provides an acceptable approximation of real-life characteristics for most problems. However, occasionally more challenging problems arise that call for a nonlinear approach. In this webinar, you will hear about real-world nonlinear applications and case studies associated with…
Combining Simulation and Measurements in the Design Flow
By David A. Hall, Senior Product Manager, National Instruments and Sherry Hess, AWR, A National Instruments Co. Reprint Info >> Test instrumentation is fundamentally changing—the lines between electronic design automation software and test bench software are blurring. The result is a faster design process. The concept of combining simulation software and measurement hardware in the…
Hydraulic Cylinder Performance Enhanced with Crack Simulation
Much like a human arm with interconnected bones, muscles, and tendons, earth moving equipment components must harness a complex array of parts to perform in perfect synchrony. Key to an earth mover’s fluid movements is an array of hydraulic cylinders, located along the boom, arm and bucket, that act as actuators to convert hydraulic energy…
Unmanned Space Vehicle Gets Rapid Redesign
By Edited by: Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor NASA uses an innovative and cost-effective unmanned aircraft to gather earth science data around the world. It was designed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center. The Systems Integration Evaluation Remote Research Aircraft (SIERRA) is routinely deployed for environmental collection missions over…
Parametric or Direct Modeling, One or the Other, or Both?
Reprint Info >> Here are a few reasons why combining parametric and direct CAD offer benefits to you, your team, and the products you create. There are a few differences between parametric and direct modeling. The parametric paradigm provides an “engineer it” approach to design which requires you to anticipate and define feature constraints, relations,…
Sharp Shooting Analysis
By Scott Bradley, Design Modeling, and Simulation Lead System Design, Evaluation Ltd. Hertfordshire, UK In the design of almost any new high explosive ammunition, the most complex and often problematic component is the fusing system. The fuse must incorporate a Safe and Arm device to ensure that the projectile may only enter the armed state…
Meaty Multiphysics Capabilities
At the seventh annual user conference in October 2011, Comsol launched its latest version of its flagship product Comsol Multiphysics 4.2a. It includes the Particle Tracing module and Livelink for Creo and many new features. Particle Tracing computes the trajectory of particles in a fluid or electromagnetic field, including particle-field interactions. Applications include flow visualization,…
5 Reasons Why Thermal Measurements Make a Difference, Part 1
By Andras Poppe, Mentor Graphics, Mechanical Analysis MicReD, Budapest, Hungary Amid all the promotion of solid-state superlatives – from data rate to feature size to LED light output – junction temperature is rarely discussed. That is because junction temperature (TJ) is an undesired but unavoidable side effect of high currents and switching speeds. A p-n…
Moog Motion Bases Make FAAC Military Driving Simulators Feel Real for Operators
When it comes to training soldiers and Marines to operate ground vehicles, Moog’s technology ensures a driver simulator feels every bit as true and tactile as the real thing. Moog is supplying and supporting the high-performance electric motion systems that underpin FAAC Incorporated’s latest-generation driver simulators. These simulators include the MATV and MRAP Cougar vehicles.…
Advanced Thermal Simulations Keep Electronics Cool
By Lateef Uddin, Product Engineer, Drives and Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Waukegan, Ill A key goal in our product development process is to use design and analysis tools to reduce the number of prototypes we must build and test during the concept design phase. These software tools help us determine the best designs for…
CAD Delivers Breadth of Tools
SolidWorks launched its SolidWorks 2012 at a media event in Boston as Hurricane Irene blasted through New England. The newest version of the software boasts more than 200 enhancements. According to the company, 90% of the new features were prioritized by SolidWorks users. Automated design costing integrated with your design can help keep you on…
Stow-and-go for Space Travel
Man-made satellites have to fit into a compact package. Briefly protected inside a rocket while blasted through the atmosphere, a satellite is launched into orbit to continue its unmanned mission alone. It uses gyroscopes, altitude thrusters, and magnets to regulate sun exposure and stay pointed in the right direction. Once stable, the satellite depends on…
The Reality of Virtual Design
A virtual reality lab, the “Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory” (CHIL), from Mechdyne Corp. is helping Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems Co. realize significant manufacturing time and cost savings. “This exciting new facility allows us to create a design virtually, before we create it physically,” said Jeff Smith, director, Special Projects, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. “This…
3D CAD to the Rescue
By Edited by Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor Reprint Info >> Software plays critical role in drill bit design that widened escape route for the trapped Chilean minors. As the world watched the rescue of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped 2,000 ft underground for two months, few knew that a redesigned drill from Center Rock…
High Performance Modeling Helps Robot Take a Step
A project using MapleSIM modeling software at the University of Manchester is helping to perfect the process of humanoid walking in robots. MapleSIM is a physical modeling and simulation tool built on a foundation of symbolic computation technology. It handles all of the complex mathematics involved in the development of engineering models, including multi-domain systems,…
Design Firm Makes Handy Use of High-tech Tools
Bresslergroup recently designed the next generation of CleanCut, a touchless paper towel holder that can dispense and cut any length of paper towel with the wave of a hand. Bresslergroup redesigned the inventor’s prototype to optimize the appliance for high volume, low cost manufacturing. The design firm used SolidWorks 3D solid modeling software throughout the…
FEA and CAD Tools Tackle Complex Design
Piper Test and Measurement (PT&M) manufactures engine test systems that include their own dynamometers. PT&M was asked to supply a braking system for the flywheel generator that consisted of a hydraulic dynamometer and a water-cooled disc brake. With this braking system, the flywheel can come to a standstill in less than 10 min. The motor-generator…
Packaging Analysis Improves Design
Tetra Pak is a food processing and packaging company that pioneered aseptic processing methods in the 1960s. It involves the ultra-high-temperature (UHT) treatment of milk and other liquid foods so that they are kept safe, fresh, and flavorful for at least six months without refrigeration. Here is an aseptic package from Tetra Pak. By all…
High Flying FEA
Propeller airlines are gaining popularity especially over short distances such as European regional routes. These craft are faster, use less fuel, release less harmful emissions, and are now just as quiet and vibration-free as jet liners. MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmBh engineers and manufactures patented natural composite propeller blades that consist of a plasticized wood core, a…
ElecNet and ThermNet offer Seamless and Easy Coupling
Infolytica Corporation (www.infolytica.com), world’s first software firm that simulated electromagnetic fields using the finite element method (FEA), has unveiled two new finite element analysis software packages — the ElecNet and ThermNet. Integrated with a new adiabatic feature, ThermNet can be linked together with ElecNet for coupled simulations, which effectively expands the capabilities of a design…