Press Release
MSC.Software Announces New Release of Manufacturing Solutions, MSC.SuperForm and MSC.SuperForge 2004
SANTA ANA, Calif. - January 23, 2004 - MSC.Software Corp. (NYSE: MNS), the leading global provider of virtual product development (VPD) products including simulation software and services, today announced the availability of the MSC.SuperForm and MSC.SuperForge 2004. These manufacturing solutions, which come bundling in one package, have been designed to help engineers evaluate and optimize forming and forging processes with virtual computer models rather than performing costly trial and error tests on the shop floor.
"Virtual product development doesnýt begin and end during the product design phase of product development. It is a valuable environment that can be extraordinarily valuable during all phases of the product lifecycle, especially in the forging and forming area where every ounce of wasted material and scrap is wasted money," said Frank Perna, chairman and chief executive officer of MSC.Software. "MSC.Software has the industry's deepest and broadest portfolio of products and we are very focused on helping our customers realize rapid ROI with our software products and the best way to do that is to tie investments in VPD directly to reductions in material costs and shop floor scrap."
MSC.SuperForge and MSC.SuperForm provides integrated 2D and 3D finite element analysis for numerous component-manufacturing applications. Using 'shop floor' language coupled with a meshless analysis process, MSC.SuperForge and MSC.SuperForm allows engineers to spend more time evaluating results and making forging decisions rather than on making expensive and time-consuming changes to physical tests. The objective is to help customers detect and avoid problems before they occur by simulating things like forming tools as elastic structures, the effects of different lubrications and thermal coupling by taking advantage of an integrated material database, press kinematics, and automated stage changes.
MSC.SuperForm, based upon the MSC.Marc technology, is a nonlinear, finite element analysis tool and pre/post processor designed to simulate general purpose bulk forming applications such as cogging, axial rolling, extrusion, riveting, bending and cutting. MSC.SuperForge, based upon MSC.Dytran technology, is a customized vertical application specifically designed for hot and cold forging process simulation such as pre-form simulations like bending & upsetting and die stress analysis. MSC.SuperForm and MSC.SuperForge 2004 have been enhanced with new features and functionality to ensure it is easy to use and provides a robust solution to manufacturing process challenges. Some of these new features include:
MSC.SuperForm
- Automatic Tetrahedral Re-meshing
For three-dimensional problems, a new tetrahedral re-meshing capability using the
MSC.Patran meshing technology has been added. This procedure first re-tessellates the surface using the Mesh-on-Mesh (MOM) surface mesh, and then creates a tetrahedral mesh. The curvature of the exterior surface may be used to control the element refinement. This algorithm is proved to be robust, fast, and produces high quality meshes. This is used in conjunction with the enhanced lower-order tetrahedral element, which is accurate for elastic-plastic behavior. It is now possible to define local refinement boxes for the tetrahedral meshers, identical to the hexahedral capability. This allows users to place small elements in areas where small contact features are present. - Flowlines
Flowlines are used to visualize how the material flows (including tetrahedral and triangular elements) during the forming process now use line segments; the user may define the original flowlines anywhere in the body through a simple input file, or select standard original flowline grids including circular flowlines in 2-D. - Pre-state option
Stress history transfer (PRE STATE and AXITO3D options) based on contact body list ý this allows users to transfer history of any contact body or bodies from the previous analysis to the current analysis saving much time and effort. - Cyclic Symmetry
Cyclic symmetry with global re-meshing now runs faster with less memory making symmetric problems like gear-forging simulations much easier. - MOVE Option
With the new MOVE option, user will be able to move and rotate not only the deformable bodies but also symmetry and rigid bodies. - GUI Features
These include 3-D surface and tetrahedral meshing with MSC.Patran meshers, more helpful wizards in pre-processing and features in supporting new capabilities in the solver.
MSC.SuperForge
- New type of particles definition including plane, centerline and edges
- New press which allows the definition of a free floating insert in the workpiece
- Queuing tool to run many simulations sequentially
- Live update function that allows for easy download of new updates
MSC.SuperForm is currently available under the MSC.MasterKey licensing System (formerly the VPD Campus Licensing System). The MSC.MasterKey system is tailored to the unique environment of every customer, maximizing productivity and engineering budgets by providing full-range simulation capabilities and flexible product management from a token-based system. MSC.SuperForge 2004 will be available under the MSC.MasterKey system later in 2004.
For more information on MSC.SuperForm and MSC.SuperForge please visit http://www.mscsoftware.com/products/.
| Contact: Catherine Meek Media Relations MSC.Software 714.445.5647 catherine.meek@mscsoftware.com |
