MSC Software Corporation

For short fiber reinforced composites, SABIC uses Digimat to define nonlinear strain rate dependent material model for accurate prediction of part performance under impact loads

SABIC uses Digimat for high-fidelity anisotropic simulation, considering manufacturing effects and non-linear material behavior

MSC Software helps Thai Steel Cable apply Multibody Dynamics & Finite Element simulations to design the structure of a Robotic Arm with Polyamide

From load simulation via generative design to manufacturing and verification – optimisation of a wheel carrier for FormulaStudent with MSC Software

Using MSC Nastran and Actran – engineers at Avio were able to accurately predict the effect of noise vibrations on the structural integrity of its launchers.

Lacking a productive tool for taking advantage of hex mesh in product development missions, engineers reviewed and benchmarked MSC Apex versus their legacy workflow and tools, and found quite a few benefits from using the new workflow.

Regulators are continually increasing the performance standards required of automobile manufacturers. An example is FMVSS 105 and 121 which define the performance of braking systems and are intended to ensure safe braking performance under normal and emergency conditions for heavy trucks and trailers. A typical change in these regulations is to reduce the distance required to stop the truck under emergency conditions. This can be achieved by designing bigger, heavier, more expensive brakes. Ragnar Ledesma, Principal Engineer for Meritor, took a different approach by addressing the algorithms used to control anti-lock braking systems used in nearly all mediumand heavy-duty trucks.

The simulation showed the proposed control system brings the vehicle to a complete stop in less than 4 seconds in a stopping distance of 177 feet (54 meters), demonstrating a way to meet the requirements of a tougher regulation without major changes to braking hardware. The results show a nearly constant deceleration response at the driver seat as opposed to the cyclical response with conventional ABS braking. The explanation for the improved performance is explained by the simulation results. The wheel angular velocities and tire slip ratios do not fluctuate from their desired values; hence the new ABS control system can sustain maximum braking forces almost over the entire braking cycle.

• Leveraged Adams-Controls Integration to provide virtual testing of the new braking algorithms used in the ABS system
• Achieved a reduction in truck stopping distance by over 30% using current disc braking systems
• Evaluated the truck braking performance without many expensive prototypes iterations
• On-demand access to the Adams Controls module via the MSC One token licensing system

The aerospace industry is one of the most demanding industries in terms of quality and reliability. There is an enormous potential for the use of additive manufacturing as this technology gives the opportunity to create function-oriented part designs for a highly purpose-oriented geometry.

In a research project of the Direct Manufacturing Research Center in combination with an industrial partner, such a function-oriented component optimisation was developed using MSC Apex Generative Design. A fixture has been identified and selected for redesign which is installed less than 100 times per year. The previous design consists of a two-part assembly in which the individual components are milled from a solid aluminum block and then connected to each other by several rivets. This produces a correspondingly high amount of waste in the production process.

Tyvak considered and evaluated MSC Apex because of its “smart” nature, ease of use, and seamless compatibility with MSC Nastran. When utilizing MSC Apex for pre-/post-processing an FE model, engineers conveniently achieved firstrun- success in simulations.

The world’s tallest artificial structure is the 829.8-metre-tall (2,722 ft) Burj Khalifa in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and like most such buildings it exists in densely populated urban areas. This has an impact in terms of wind patterns produced around the building and its environmental impact locally. However, such tall buildings also pose an opportunity for planners and designers to potentially rethink designs to take into account sustainability concerns with respect to generating renewable energy in an urban cityscape. Researchers led by the Korea Institute of Energy Research and CEDIC Ltd have done some fascinating fundamental research using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools from Cradle CFD on the plausibility of Building-Integrated Wind Turbines (BIWT) in such massive skyscrapers to produce electricity locally and therefore lower carbon footprints. Renewable energy is a very visible symbol of sustainable and eco-friendly energy generation and if it can be integrated into buildings and used at source and is feasible at the design stage, it would be a major sustainability innovation for the future.

Panasonic Ecology Systems has been tackling Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) improvement for many years. As well as dealing with ventilation and dehumidification, the Company has pursued achieving quality living environments through providing pleasant air flow and smell. Their market leading product range includes ventilation fans, kitchen hoods, air cleaners, and roof fans, and is also available in many countries in Southeast Asia. To design and develop the equipment needed to facilitate such environments, highly advanced technology and expertise are required. Cradle CFD has been an innovation that brought significant improvement to their design evaluation process. To help them with product development, Cradle CFD has been in use and “has played a vital role in the process,” according to Mr. Masahiro Shigemori, Chief of Ventilation Technology Development Division, Thermo-Fluid Development Department, R&D Head Office (Picture).

The collector box ground cable retention feature was improved over the earlier design further for better performance. An economical and reliable feature was to be redesigned to meet the requirements of the intended retention force which ensures that the feature is always under pre-stressed condition. In the process of design modification of this existing feature, several parameters like length of the arm, width and thickness at the root, etc. were considered. The retention forces were estimated through a structural simulation using non-linear isotropic material properties (glass-filled Polybutylene Terephthalate material). The extracted retention force for this redesigned feature was found to be exceeding the intended force value which in turn caused the failure of the feature. However, the physical test results showed that the features were safe, and the retention forces measured were also in the acceptable range. Hence to understand the influence of fibre orientation in such glass-filled components; extended FEA studies were carried out using Digimat software.

GreenDwell provides design and consultancy services for buildings based on the principles of sustainable design. Rather than the conventional approach of looking at sustainable design purely from an energy and environmental perspective, GreenDwell also considers the human aspect of sustainability. The company believes that how people experience space through time defines their well-being.

The company uses a Green Research-Integrated Design (g.r.i.d) process to hypothesize the various senses that people might experience after the building is constructed. Computer simulation tools are used as the ‘sensual experience tester’ to help architects check for the sensual performance early in the design phase. The design is analysed for visual, thermal, and acoustic comfort, alongside checking the building’s environmental impact. Thus, the company creates an experience that is a delight to the senses, while minimizing negative effects on the environment.

Given the unconventional approach, the work process often takes longer than the typical design process. The company uses simulation to demonstrate to clients the impact of various environmental factors on the design. Using the additional layer of site and context-specific information enables the creation of a better design.

Given that the company caters primarily to clients in Thailand, which is a hot and humid country, shade and natural ventilation play a very important role in design. Also, for projects set in urban areas, the design needs to consider existing obstructions and their impact on wind flow on the site. The most efficient way to achieve this is by integrating ventilation simulation throughout the design process.

Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield holds the distinction of being the oldest global motorcycle brand in continuous production. In production since 1901, the company is well known for its iconic Royal Enfield Bullet and other single-cylinder motorcycles.

As part of its growth drive, the company was in the midst of expanding its portfolio across the overseas markets. To achieve this, the company was keen to launch multiple variants of their bikes to cater to newer markets. The company was not only exploring bikes in newer styles, it was also keen to launch bikes across different capacities and price points. At the same time, it was looking to launch bikes in niche categories such as electric bikes.

One of the standout characteristics of Royal Enfield bikes is the distinctive engine noise that its ardent fans swear by. However, newer noise regulations such as Euro 4 R41 and ISO 9028 on pass by noise require that each bike manufacturer needs to meet the standard in order to launch their products into the market.

The iconic engine noise of Royal Enfield is one of its Unique Selling Points (USPs). The challenge therefore was to ensure that the signature sound would remain while meeting the required noise standards. The company needed to find a way to record noise levels for each part of the engine even before the manufacturing process started.

Numerous cities around the world are facing changes in the way urban transportation is considered. The need for lower particle emissions and for a safer and quieter environment are key concepts shaping the future of mobility. Among sustainable transport system enablers, recent technological progresses in electric and autonomous vehicles are accelerating user adoption.

Designing electric and autonomous vehicles is a challenge for the NVH design and engineering teams that need to cope with increasing acoustic comfort expectations while dealing with new noise sources and structural designs.

For Scania, a world-leading provider of transport solutions, the acoustic comfort of drivers and passengers has always been of great importance in the design engineering process. Not only is a pleasant drive critical for buyers or commuters, but it also impacts health and productivity. Scania is focused on getting their vehicles up to speed with today’s acoustic expectations by addressing the level and quality of vehicle interior noise. The development of increasingly optimized NVH properties is supported by extensive testing and by the introduction of new methods based on vibroacoustic simulations. In this endeavor, the calculation team at Scania Bus decided to use the new capabilities of Actran Virtual SEA approach to assess the vibro-acoustic performances of their design at mid- and high frequencies.