MSC 1987 World Users' Conference Proceedings-Volume II

The conference proceedings for the 1987 World Users' Conference are now available on-line in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. (The Adobe Acrobat Reader software is available for free download from Adobe's web site at www.adobe.com.) When printed, these PDF files will produce a better quality image than the one shown on your computer screen.

STATUS OF PC PRODUCTS (Acrobat 169K) #0187, 2pgs.
Don McLean, VP, Advanced Products--The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT: Current Status of PC Products.

MICRO-BASED CAD IN MANUFACTURING (Acrobat K) #0287
E.Johnson--CAD MicroSystems, Culver City, California

No Text Available.

COST AND PRODUCTIVITY JUSTIFICATION OF MICRO-BASED COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
(Acrobat 39K) #0387, 1pg.
E.Johnson--CAD MicroSystems, Culver City, California

ABSTRACT: The advent and subsequent use of micro computers in the area of mechanical CAD has led to an apparent state of confusion in the design and manufacturing industry.

Cost savings realized with the use of micro-based CAD can be astounding when applied properly, in comparison with existing mini mainframe CAD systems. An appropriately selected micro based CAD system can provide very accurate 3-dimensional model data which in many cases is readily transferable to a centralized mini mainframe CAD network. This ability to model and transfer accurate 3-dimensional part data packaged with a micro computer has created an extremely cost effective Design Processor for the engineers' desk.

MSC/CASE-COMPUTER AIDED SOLUTIONS FOR ENGINEERS (Acrobat 2.48MB) #0487, pgs.
Walter Schmidt, Daniel V. Schiavello--D.V. Schiavello Enterprises, Inc., North Haledon, New Jersey

ABSTRACT: Microcomputers have an essential impact on structural/mechanical engineering applications. Microcomputers have not replaced mainframes and cannot be reasonably used to solve large analytical problems. However, with appropriate software, micro-computers can serve as a powerful labor saving tool for engineers, architects, physicists, educators, students and researchers.

Using conventional methods such as hand calculations, desk calculators or mainframes, calculation if input parameters, preliminary and parametric studies, and verification and interpretation of analytical results are cumbersome, if not impossible, tasks. Calculation of input parameters often require repetitive number crunching, gross approximations and extensive error checking. Preliminary and parametric studies, sometimes performed using equations provided by well-known reference books, are time consuming and tedious. Verification and interpretation of results, an extremely important phase of any analysis, are sometimes ignored due to the complexity of the models and analyses. Instead, engineers my rely too heavily on large volumes of almost unmanageable computer output.

MSC/CASE has been developed by engineers using database and equation solving techniques. This program will not only simplify these tasks, but also provides more reliable analyses in comparison with previously available methods. By reducing the risk of error, minimizing time and costs associated with these tasks and optimizing analysis parameters, MSC/CASE solutions provide the engineer with more confidence in the analytical model and the results.

FEM ON A PC--FINDING THE BEST FIT (Acrobat 477K) #0587, 6pgs.
Ken Klein--Computervision, Edison, New Jersey

ABSTRACT: Advances in computer hardware and software allow the Finite Element Method to be used by a much larger audience. Due to decreasing costs, many companies can now realistically consider placing a personal computer on every engineers desk.

This paper describes some aspects the new user should consider in selecting FEM software solutions. Topics discussed include training, software classification, interactive graphics, and advanced topics.

MICROCOMPUTER PRE- AND POSTPROCESSING FOR MSC/NASTRAN AND MSC/PAL2 USING MTAB SOFTWARE (Acrobat 355K) #0687, 5pgs.
E.Morgan--Structural Analysis Corporation, Austin, Texas

ABSTRACT: Structural Analysis, Inc. is taking this opportunity to announce the release of mTAB*POST Version 1.0. The mTAB finite element pre and postprocessing software provides a low cost alternative for model development and postprocessing on IBM-PC compatible microcomputers.

mTAB*PRE is a general purpose, 3-dimensional model generation program with interface to MSC/NASTRAN AND MSC/pal2 via internal data format translators. Previously called MICROTAB, mTAB*PRE Version 1.0 was originally released in September 1985. With an ongoing program of code evolution currently reflected in the release of Version 1.4, mTAB*PRE has established an international reputation as a cost effective alternative to expensive mainframe and minicomputer finite element model generators.

mTAB*POST provides the capability to develop color shade stress, thermal and displacement contours to numerous digital plotters and printers. Static and animation plots directly on your EGA graphics screen, or line contours to numerous digital plotters and printers. Static and animation plots of deformed geometries are also available. MSC/NASTRAN/pal2 postprocessor interfaces will be available by early summer 1987.

FEMAP--POWER AND SIMPLICITY IN PC MODELING (Acrobat 1.01MB) #0787, 12pgs.
Enterprise Software Products, Inc., Harleysville, Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT: Enterprise Software Products, Inc. (ESP) has developed FEMAP, a powerful interactive PC program for creating finite element models for MSC/NASTRAN, and all versions for MSC/pal.

LINKING CAD WITH MSC/pal2 (Acrobat 420K) #0887, 8pgs.
William S. Moffitt, Jack Castro--The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT: The upsurge of sales of microcomputer-based Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems has created a large demand for microcomputer-based Finite Element Analysis (FEA) systems and tools to move data between the two. This paper shows some of the tools MSC has developed for interfacing MSC/pal2 with several CAD systems.

INTERACTIVE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL EDITING ON PCs (Acrobat 236K) #0987, 5 pgs.
R.Lentz--The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT: This paper describes a future product of the MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation (MSC), a PC-based finite element modeler. This model editor is being developed to assist the engineer in the creation and editing of finite element models. The oral presentation describes how this product will be used to integrate MSC Mechanical Computer Aided Engineering (MCAE) software tools on PCs, workstations, and mainframes.

USING MULTI-POINT CONSTRAINTS WITH MSC/pal2 FOR DETAIL FREEBODY ANALYSIS
(Acrobat 956K) #1087, 18 pgs.
James E Brown--Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT: Typically, in the aerospace industry, freebody loads are extracted from an overall, coarsely meshed, finite element model, when a stress analysis is required on a structural detail. Since the structural detail. Since the structural detail freebody is generally a different size and has more detail than its representation in the overall model, the structural detail is not in equilibrium under these freebody lads, and the distribution of the freebody loads is not known. A finite element model, of the structural detail, employing multi-point constraints (MPC's), solves both problems. This paper discusses using MPC's to solve the above problems and derives the relations to implement MPC's in PAL2.

MSC/pal2 APPLICATIONS (Acrobat 1.98MB) #1187, 34 pgs.
P. Kimbrough--The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, California

Slide Presentation

HEAVY CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION THERMAL SYSTEM ANALYSIS ON THE PC
(Acrobat 963K) #1287, 18pgs.
M. Chainyk and G. Beall--The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT: MSC/pal2 has been successfully used to analyze a variety of structural problems-applications are always increasing. MSC's Engineering Services Department has assisted many clients in meeting their analysis requirements through the use of MSC software products and are always receptive to new problems and challenges.

USING THE P-VERSION OF THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR SHAPE OPTIMAL DESIGN
 (Acrobat 1.59MB) #1387, 26 pgs.
Y.K. Shyy and C.Fleury--University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
K.Izadpanah--The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT: This paper presents some research results obtained recently in using the p-version of the Finite Element Method (FEM) for shape optimal design. The use of Bezier and B-spline curves to define design elements has proven to be an excellent way to model the geometry of the design problem. It is shown that the p-version 2-D elastic element can be extended to employ part of a Bezier or B-spline curve as its element side. This new element has been tested successfully with the patch test. Moreover, it is compatible, has no preferred direction and contains all the required rigid body modes (three zero eigenvalues are found in the element stiffness matrix)

Some classical shape optimal design problems have been tested using the CONLIN optimizer. Preliminary results indicate that similar optimal shapes can be obtained with fewer degrees of freedom than when compared to the h-version FEM. As with the h-version, ten iterations are sufficient for convergence in most of the problems. Extremely rapid convergence was observed when lower order B-spline curves (4-5 order).

INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS IN MET CURRICULUM (Acrobat 463K) #1487, 7pgs.
Thomas G. Boronkay--University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

ABSTRACT: Advances in microcomputer technology, i.e. faster speeds, more memory and better graphical display devices, opened up the way for using Finite Element Analysis methods on microcomputers.

Several new microcomputer based Finite Element software programs are available on the market, extending the use of this method to both industrial and educational users. The low cost and user friendliness of these programs make them ideally suited for an introductory course.

This paper describes how the Finite Element method is introduced to Mechanical Engineering Technology seniors at the OMI College of Applied Science, using the MSC-PAL2 software.

MSC/pal IN THE CLASSROOM (Acrobat 509K) #1587, 8 pgs.
W. Oler--Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas--F. Potts--Mohango, Inc., Floydada, Texas

MSC/pal has been utilized for the past three semesters for a finite element application methods course in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Texas Tech University. This paper will describe the course content, show example problems, and describe our experiences with MSC/pal in an undergraduate laboratory equipped with MS/DOS microcomputers and an Ethernet local area network. In addition, the paper will describe the TTU Mechanical Engineering Department's expectations for the role of MSC/pal in meeting the ABET design requirements in the undergraduate curriculum.

CLASS EXPERIENCES WITH MSC/pal (Acrobat 205K) #1687, 2 pgs.
Mario Paz--University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

The Civil Engineering curriculum at the University of Louisville includes several courses in which the students used professionally developed computer programs, such as the MSC-PAL program. The students are also required to develop simpler versions of some of the professional programs and to compare results obtained by the two programs.

This paper presents a report of classroom experience using the MSC-PAL C and MSC INTRO Programs in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses as well as a seminar offered in the Continuous Studies Program at the University of Louisville.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS ON THE APPLE MACINTOSH (Acrobat 584K) #1787, 8 pgs.
F. Potts--Mohango, Inc., Floydada, Texas

The MacNeal Schwendler Corporation has recently introduced a new version of the MSC/pal finite element system for the Apple Macintosh. This program is an streamlined version of the IBM PC product which has been available for several years. The program functions best on a Macintosh with hard disk but is easily configured to run on a two diskette system. Two version of the program are available to support both the 512K and 1 MEG Macintosh machines. The program is executable under either the HFS or MFS Apple file systems. This product is the first full featured FEA program for this machine, and its performance is reviewed in this paper