ENGINEERS APPLAUD ALGOR'S LATEST SOFTWARE RELEASE

With Release 12 software, engineers can now access all of Algor's modeling and FEA capabilities from within popular CAD solid modelers that are installed on the same computer as the Algor software, as shown in this image. Within the CAD program, engineers can create the FEA surface mesh using Algor's new sliding mesh size control. They can then access Algor's single user interface and enhance the surface mesh where needed automatically or manually using local or global refinement options. From the surface mesh, Algor's automatic mesh engines create a high quality FEA solid mesh, using bricks, tetrahedron or a combination of both, for finite element analysis.

March 1, 1999, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced that initial shipments of Release 12, the company's latest version of its finite element analysis (FEA) software, have received enthusiastic approval from engineers all over the world. Engineers are reporting that Release 12 software's all-new single user interface, which accesses all of Algor's software tools for every analysis type, provides a well-integrated environment for performing faster, easier FEA. They are also applauding Release 12 software's new CAD interfacing tools and engineering features such as the Material Library Manager and general contact elements.

All-New Single User Interface Enables More Efficient FEA
With the Release 12 version of Algor's software, all FEA functions, from modeling and finite element meshing to post-analysis processing, are accessible from Superdraw III, Algor's single user interface and precision finite element model-building tool. "Consolidating the software into one interface without having to go into different modules is great. It makes using your software efficient and enjoyable," said Nathan Pascarella, a mechanical engineer at GenRad, Inc. in Westford, Massachusetts.

Algor found that engineers who used Release 12 software welcomed Superdraw III's user-friendly, Windows-compliant menus and data entry screens that have clear, recognizable fields written in plain English. They can concentrate on their designs, not worry about software navigation. The improved data entry screens also prevent input errors by checking entered data against allowable values and offer context-sensitive help with one mouse click.

CAD Interfacing Made Simple
According to many engineers, Release 12 software makes CAD interfacing seamless. They can work within popular CAD solid modelers that are installed on the same computer as Algor software, or Algor can easily import native CAD geometry files when Algor software operates on a computer other than the one on which the CAD system is installed.

"I can open a 3-D solid CAD model and visualize every angle of it more quickly and easily than with other software packages," said Paul Lucas, an engineer at MKS Instruments in Andover, Massachusetts, who added, "I like that I can verify the quality of each CAD model's surface by hiding other surfaces before creating a mesh. I also found it very easy to apply and modify the mesh density using Algor's new sliding mesh control to get the best surface mesh." The surface mesh can be enhanced automatically or manually using local or global refinement options if necessary.

Algor learned that engineers also appreciate being able to combine element types in the same model when creating a solid mesh in order to best represent a model's geometry and optimize processing time.

Material Library Manager Regarded as an Excellent Data Storage Resource
Feedback about the Release 12 version of Algor's software shows that engineers are commending Algor's new Material Library Manager, which includes a default material library that is considered an excellent source for common material property data. In addition, they can create customized material libraries using existing physical or electronic sources. The Material Library Manager's material data is conveniently stored in a centralized database for use by all processors and is applied to a model with a point-and-click operation. A unit system is assigned to every material and Release 12 software conveniently converts it to the active model's defined unit system.

Faster, Easier Mechanical Event Simulations
Engineers' responses to Release 12 software have also revealed their excitement about easier analysis setups with Accupak/VE Mechanical Event Simulation software. Accupak/VE, Algor's latest invention, realistically simulates motion in mechanical events, eliminating the need to input a force, and computes and shows resulting stresses on the computer model at each instant in time. Accupak/VE replaces physical prototype testing with virtual prototype testing because it performs linear and nonlinear static and dynamic finite element stress analysis with motion for physics-based Mechanical Event Simulation.

With Release 12 software, engineers can now use contact elements in Mechanical Event Simulations to more accurately represent interacting objects. "Simulating contact is simple and quick with Algor's Release 12 software. I no longer have to use truss elements, which required me to specify parameters like a stress-strain curve, to represent contact between objects," said Bill Hovis, a design engineer at Entergy Operations, Inc. in Russellville, Arkansas.

Algor offers a range of other FEA capabilities in addition to Mechanical Event Simulation including linear and nonlinear stress, vibration and natural frequencies, heat transfer, electrostatics, fluid flow, piping design and composite materials. In addition, Algor works with virtually any CAD system and offers advanced FEA meshing tools.

Algor has been a leader in the engineering software industry since it introduced FEA for PCs in 1984 and interfacing with CAD systems in 1985. The company recently celebrated 20 years of providing finite element users with innovative, affordable and easy-to-use software products and superior educational support and customer service. Algor's FEA software has enabled 16,000 engineers in 60 countries to create safe, efficient, cost-effective designs.