Engineering&designNews

March 2005

Features  

GAS TURBINE PROJECT CONTINUES

As discussed in the last issue of Engineering&designNews, Candent Technologies has selected Fin-el to help with the Phase II development of the Advanced High Pressure Ratio, Low Cost Turbine Engine for the US Army.   Under this contract, Fin-el is responsible for design optimization through structural, heat transfer, and fluid dynamic analyses.  

Since the last issue, much of the design optimization has been completed has been completed on the engine.  "Fin-el has been very busy on this project since we got started in November," states Jeff Berger, Director, Fin-el.  we have worked on nearly every area of the engine.  We have done dynamic analyses on the rotors.  We have done stress analyses on the cases including thermal effects.  We have done computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses on the scrolls and ducts.  We have done stress analyses on the rotors.  We have even designed oil and air feed lines for the sumps," Jeff continues.

The design optimization process is scheduled to continue through the spring, and detailed design work will take place this summer.  Actual assembly of the engine will take place next winter.

To find out more about this project or how Fin-el could help you with your design and engineering needs, please take a look at our web site at www.fin-el.com , call us at (317) 291-3635, or email us at sales@fin-el.com.   We will also continue to update you on the progress of this project in the upcoming issues of this newsletter. 

Software  

SOLID EDGE V17 - GET STARTED FAST

Solid Edge Users Group Meeting/Seminar

Thursday, May 5th

9:00 am-12 noon

please join us!

V17 the latest release of the most productive, mid-range design and data management tool on the market, Solid Edge.  Starting with the 'Evolve to 3D' and 'Battling Complexity' initialtives for V16, UGS has been focusing product development resources on ensuring that Solid Edge is not only the most productive software on the market, but the easiest to learn.  With Solid Edge V17, they have once again raised the bar.

In V17, UGS has added a new operational mode called SE Apprentice.  More than just a tutorial, SE Apprentice is an interactive assistant that helps you when you get stuck, but stays out of the way when you are working along smoothly.  SE Apprentice allows you to be productive the first hour you use the product, but unlike other products on the market, this apprentice mode can be turned off once you no longer need it.  The result - the best of both world - a helpful, guiding interface for the beginner, and an intuitive, streamlined interface for the veteran.

Want to find out more?  Please join us for a free seminar and Users Group meeting on Thursday, May 5th, at 9:00 am-12 noon in Indianapolis.  This event features:

• Continental breakfast served 8:30-9:00 am
• Representatives from UGS and MSC.Software will be on hand
• Demonstration of Solid Edge V17
• Demonstration of Dynamic Designer Professional for Solid Edge
• Discussion of the latest trends in the CAD industry and demonstrated products
• free stuff

To find out more information and register, please e-mail us at sales@fin-el.com or call Jeff Berger at (317) 291-3635x102.  We hope you can join us for this informative event.

Fin-el is in the process of forming a Solid Edge Fundamentals training course for some time in in May.  This four day course is geared towards making the novice user aware of potential uses of production level solid modeling.  The focus will be on the fundamental skills and concepts central to the use of Solid Edge.  To find out more about the curriculum, you can do so on the Solid Edge web site at www.solidedge.com/training/descriptions.htm.  If you are interested in enrolling in this course or want to find out more of the details, please contact us at sales@fin-el.com.   or call us at (317) 291-3635x102.

Since our inception in 1998, Fin-el has used MSC.Software products to perform motion simulations and loading analyses. Now we are pleased to announce that we have added their software to our growing list of product offerings.  "MSC.Software has always been one of the cornerstones of our consulting services," states Jeff Berger, Director, Fin-el, LLC.  "Being able to offer their products to our customers and clients is a fantastic opportunity for us and is just one more we strengthen our position as the bridge between software users and software manufacturers," he adds.  "Fin-el has been a long-time user of our software," says Dr. Farhad Esmaili, Business Development Manager, MSC.Software.  "Having them as a reseller will be a huge benefit to the companies they help implement our software because their intimate understanding of our products and how they integrate with Solid Edge."  

MSC.Software has a long history in the computer simulation software market. In case you didn't realize this, they are the makers of the Simply Motion tool that comes as a standard feature in the Solid Edge Classic product.  This integrated product is an excellent entry motion analysis tool.  When you are ready to take your motion analysis capabilities to the next level, MSC.Software has a product for you to consider called MSC.Dynamic Designer.  With Dynamic Designer, you can do true virtual prototyping and simulations.  You no longer need to endure the time-consuming and expensive process of building physical prototypes just to evaluate a multitude of 'What if' scenarios to find the optimum design.  With Dynamic Designer you can verify the final configuration, generate charts and graphs, and develop video files of simulations at a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time.  This in turn helps you bring better products to the market faster and spend less money doing it!  

And integrating this software into you design process couldn't be simpler.  Dynamic Designer works on the same platform as the Simply Motion in Solid Edge.  It basically adds functions and features the to interface that is already in place, so you there is no need to relearn the basics - you build on what you have learned using Simply Motion.  Try it for yourself. Download a trial copy of MSC.Dynamic Designer at:

 http://www.mscsoftware.com/products/ddm/seeval.cfm

We would also be happy to discuss Dynamic Designer with you.  Please contact us at 317.291.3635 ext. 102 or via e-mail at sales@fin-el.com to find out more.

The design process has evolved to very sophisticated level in the past decade.  To stay competitive in the marketplace, more and more companies have begun using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) systems.  Use and reference to CAD systems is now commonplace, and even people outside the industry know what CAD means.  But what about CAE?  

CAE stand for computer-aided engineering, and Fin-el was founded by informing companies of the various CAE tools available and offering these services to them.  In this issue we will discuss another service Fin-el offers in this arena - Motion Studies.

As mentioned, many companies now use 3D CAD tools to design their product.  This is a great start.  You can check fits, look for interferences, and visualize what it will look like, but wouldn't it be great to also check the motion of a linkage or mechanism to make sure it's right before actually building it?  Well, Fin-el has the resources to do just this.

Using the Dynamic Designer software discussed above, we have performed many motion studies for our clients.  Many of these analyses have involved  automotive suspensions, but we also have analyzed a variety of other mechanisms including steering linkages, robot arm motions, engine mechanics, and door hinging. 

Our process is simple.  We quickly build 3D computer models of the critical parts and create a virtual assembly of the mechanism using Solid Edge.  And if our clients use a 3D CAD system, we simply import their model.  From there we seamlessly move the model into Dynamic Designer where we refine the constrains and apply the loading and/or inputs required to cause the motion.  Once the motion has been reviewed, studied, and the accuracy verified, we create plots, charts, and movie files (.avi) to document the results.  With our expertise and experience, this process is as straightforward as it sound.

If you would like to find out more about motion studies and discuss how could help you, please contact Jeff Berger at 317.291.3635x102 or jberger@fin-el.com.

E-mail: info@fin-el.com           Web site: www.fin-el.com

Phone: 317.291.3635                 Fax: 317.299.2284