ALGOR'S PIPEPAK 6.06 FEATURES EASIER PIPING DESIGN, ENHANCED VISUALIZATION

Algor's May 1999 release of PipePak 6.06 promises better screen presentation with significantly clearer text, especially in resized windows, and faster data entry of library properties through the PipePak Library Manager, which now can be accessed without leaving the model-building session. Updated information is immediately available for use. In addition, because piping engineers spend much of their time viewing stress data, PipePak 6.06 features new color selections, thicker line displays and a new quad outline option.

May 14, 1999, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced its May 1999 release of PipePak 6.06 software, which includes enhancements for all aspects of piping design and analysis.

"Piping design and mechanical engineers in any industry can save time when designing piping analyses by using the enhanced presentation, navigation and visualization capabilities of PipePak 6.06," said Michael L. Bussler, president of Pittsburgh-based Algor, Inc. PipePak 6.06 also offers an expanded library database, limit checking and added control over stress intensification factors in plastic piping components for even more accurate designs.

PipePak is Algor's highly accurate ASME piping analysis system that complies with well-known piping codes worldwide, offering many design options, linear static and dynamic stress analysis processing and nonlinear capabilities for customized supports at all connections.

In addition, all PipePak documentation now is included in DocuTech, Algor's software documentation resource on CD-ROM. DocuTech's Internet browser-based format, single interface window and powerful search engine provide easy access to technical documentation manuals, keystroke-specific tutorials and more.

Better Screen Presentation and Visualization
PipePak 6.06 users will notice a new Windows screen presentation, which shows significantly clearer text, especially in resized windows. Text highlighting, dimensions and displays are improved for readability in any window size. In addition, engineers have more options for navigation through presentation screens, spreadsheet interfaces and reports for faster specification of model parameters and data revision.

Because piping engineers rely on stress visualization, PipePak 6.06 features several enhancements. New default selections, color choices and thicker line displays for 3-D stress output mean more flexibility and realistic results. A new quad outline feature makes stress output more vivid for on-screen visualization, presentations and reports.

PipePak Library Improvements
The PipePak Library Manager, which enables customization of the standard library included with PipePak, now is available with the Windows version and accessible from the PipePak task bar. Engineers save time when adding properties because they do not need to leave the model-building session. The updated data is immediately available for use.

The library size also is expanded and offers more parameters, including pipe size, material, allowable stress data, valve weights, flange weights, wind height vs. pressure curves, dynamic spectra, API 610 allowable pump data and hanger table manufacturers. In addition, plastic component properties, density, Poisson's Ratio, axial modulus, hoop modulus, shear modulus and thermal expansion can be added.

Enhanced Features for Accurate Analyses
New limit checking features translate into more accurate piping analysis. "PipePak 6.06 now features limit checking for allowable temperature ranges," Bussler said. "If a range is exceeded, PipePak alerts you and automatically sets the value to zero to prevent incorrect allowable values."

Engineers also have added control over stress intensification factors for plastic piping components, such as lap joint flanges and elbows. Easier application of different factors is important for these components because they often differ in thickness.

Future PipePak Enhancements
In an upcoming release, PipePak will feature the functionality and user-friendliness available with all of Algor's latest Release 12 mechanical engineering software. Piping engineers can expect more customized drawing capabilities for piping objects; better navigation through piping reports; quicker access to file import capabilities directly from within the PipePak interface; and updated Windows-compliant data input screens, tables and pull-down menus.

Algor customers with current software upgrade subscriptions for PipePak can get PipePak 6.06 at no charge by submitting a software update request form at www.algor.com or contacting their Algor representative at +1 (412) 967-2700. PipePak 6.06 is available for Windows 95/98 and NT workstations.

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.

One of Algor's most recent inventions is FEA-based Mechanical Event Simulation software, Accupak/VE. Accupak/VE replaces physical prototype testing with virtual prototype testing because it realistically simulates motion and flexing in hypothetical mechanical events, eliminating the need to input a force, and displays resulting stresses on the computer model at each instant in time. Accupak/VE also performs nonlinear static loading analysis that considers large strains and deflections. Algor software works within or alongside any CAD system, and new kinematic finite element technology makes it possible to perform Mechanical Event Simulations on CAD solid models or assemblies. In addition, Algor offers advanced FEA meshing tools and a range of other FEA capabilities including linear and nonlinear stress, vibration and natural frequencies, heat transfer, electrostatics, fluid flow, piping design and composite materials.