Entry++ level commercial FEA application
Entry++ level commercial FEA application
(OP)
Hi all,
Please could somebody recommend an entry++ level commercial FEA appliation. Which would you chose? I am looking for a general purpose FEA package, mainly at lower end static stress for general application and pressure parts plus as many other features I could get for a price. There are many apps that would match my requirements. Choosing between them is more of a problem.
I would be most grateful for any suggestions or questions that I should be asking.
(I am not interested in template driven apps because I need the general purpose FEA. Secondly, models are also pretty easy to create which means that templates have now lost their earlier attractiveness).
Please could somebody recommend an entry++ level commercial FEA appliation. Which would you chose? I am looking for a general purpose FEA package, mainly at lower end static stress for general application and pressure parts plus as many other features I could get for a price. There are many apps that would match my requirements. Choosing between them is more of a problem.
I would be most grateful for any suggestions or questions that I should be asking.
(I am not interested in template driven apps because I need the general purpose FEA. Secondly, models are also pretty easy to create which means that templates have now lost their earlier attractiveness).





RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
What sort of elements do you need?
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
Freeware: Calculix, but the GUI isn't very good
Minimual cost: Roshaz, which has some built-in solver capability, but also serves as a GUI for Calculix
Moderate to High Cost: The list is long and glorious! (NOT an exhautive list and not in order of personal preference) Abaqus, Algor, AMPS, Ansys, Cosmos, MSCNastran, NEiNastran, NXNastran, etc. etc.
Do the search on the forum; this discussion has been held several times.
Garland E. Borowski, PE
Engineering Manager
Star Aviation
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
I had looked around the formum and came up with some very useful data. I am looking a commerical rather than cheap or free. Something that has a a known and accepted reputation by both users and clients in process piping, petrochem, vessels industries. i.e. in GBor's "Long and Glorious" list. That's my problem. Most will serve my purpose of a general purpose FEA for both pressure parts and more general stress requirements. Shell, welded parts,bolted joints. i.e. Not FEPipe or similar template driven apps. Figuring out the ones that don't serve my purpose is the easy bit.
I have used Algor which I am more than happy with technically. NEI Fusion (Nastran Modules L1 and L2) also looks good on paper. I am probably safe with most. Its really down to the current price offers (generally) and the "bells and whistles" features that are included in the particular application. Mesh optimization etc. Hence my new post.
There are some very good offers on at the moment - I am the kid in the sweet shop. Without a choice I would be happy to pig out on the first thing I see. The problem is the choice.
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
I'm passionate about FEA and could ramble for quite a while. It might be less painful if you could narrow the field for us a bit. If all you are trying to do and think you ever will do is static stress, any product that has been on the market for more than a few years probably does it sufficiently...otherwise, they'll be out of the business soon.
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
-stress analysis/heat transfer/coupled problems/fluid flow
-static/dynamic
-linear/non-linear
-material behaviors (elastic, hyperelastic, viscoelastic, various plasticity and hardening models, creep etc.)
-contact modeling calabilities
-buckling/frequency
-etc.
You have to look also at the pre-processing capabilities(how easy or time consuming is to develop a model) and post-processing capabilities (plots, data extraction, reports).
In general, the FEA software do not have CAD level geometric modeler (although some have decent capabilities). However, if you are interested in solving complex geometries, you might need a software which can import popular CAD formats.
Other factors to consider:
-how popular is the software in your field, can you exchange models with partners working in the same field or even on the same project
-how compatible the software is with any other software that you use
-available documentation
-hardware requirements and performance for the available hardware
Best.
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
The most exciting change for me in FEA in the last couple of years has been in model creation in a reasonable time frame with practicable levels of complexity and at reasonable cost. (And without the endless bowing and scraping with the design office CAD dept to get that dimension modified before 3 weeks on Thursday). Geometry creation has changed from becoming one the biggest headaches for the end user to being the easiest and cheapest. (A bit like statistics when spreadsheets appeared). Even if a decent modeller is not included, you always have a fall back position with Alibre. Fall back is not the best description because you don't fall very far - if at all. Alibre is very competitively priced. Even the free version is very servicable. Algor has Alibre as one its many interfaces. I am not sure how it works with the free version but you always have IGES and STEP files.
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
pretty much all the packages do pretty much the same job. some are easier to work with, but that is probably a personal perference thing (what intuitive to you maybe isn't to me).
what sort of problems do you think you'll need to address ... linear stress, non-linear, impact, ...
how scalable do you need to be ... adding modules later, adding seats (as your empire expands) ...
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application
RE: Entry++ level commercial FEA application