PRESSURE VESSEL DESIGN MADE EASY WITH PV/DESIGNER

Algor’s new PV/Designer software is ideal for members of the pressure vessel industry because it is fast and easy to use. This illustration shows a pipe model created with PV/Designer in Superdraw, Algor’s precision finite element model-building tool. The background model shows PV/Designer features such as flanges, reinforcement padding, caps and intersecting pipe sections. At the lower left is an IGES file created from the Superdraw model and the top right shows a data input screen for drawing the flanges and repad, which reinforces areas of pipe intersection.

PITTSBURGH, PA – July 6, 2000 - Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced the release of PV/Designer, which makes it easy to generate common intersecting piping or cylindrical structures.

The simple, straightforward software can be added to any Algor software package and is ideal for generation of FEA models for pressure vessel and piping component analysis. Once generated, the FEA model can be used in any Algor finite element analysis or Mechanical Event Simulation.

"The engineer is in complete control with PV/Designer," said Michael L. Bussler, president of Pittsburgh-based Algor. "From the decision on whether to create a plate/shell or solid model down to picking the dimensions and orientation of intersecting pipes, the model envisioned is created simply with the engineer’s input."

All that is done through simple, easy-to-navigate pop-up windows. For example, in the geometry definition screen, the analyst can generate an entire pipe with a single intersecting cylinder or individual angular segments. These angular segments can then be pieced together with other generated models in Algor’s Superdraw III or a CAD solid modeler. All settings are automatically saved so different variations of a component can be created, altered and analyzed for myriad fast "what if" scenarios.

Designers and engineers also have the ability to export their model as a trimmed surface IGES file, which then can be imported and meshed in the Algor CAD Solid Model Interface or imported into a CAD solid modeler for additional modifications.

Other features include the capability to place flanges at the end of segments and reinforcing pads at the intersections. The engineer can leave pipe segments open or specify placement of standard pressure vessel heads. In addition, the analyst can specify whether the secondary intersecting cylinder (nozzle) exists in the generated model. This capability allows for the easy generation of models such as propane tanks or aerosol cans.

Algor has been a leader in the engineering software industry since introducing FEA for PCs in 1984 and interfacing with CAD systems in 1985. The company provides innovative, affordable and easy-to-use software products that have enabled 20,000 engineers in 60 countries to create safe, efficient, cost-effective designs. Algor also offers superior educational support and customer service that includes the use of state-of-the-art Internet audio/video technology for "Web Courses," which provide step-by-step software instruction, and free public "Webcasts" in live demonstration format.

Algor’s product line features FEA-based Accupak/VE Mechanical Event Simulation software. Accupak/VE reduces the need for physical prototyping and eliminates the need to input dynamic loads by determining the motion, flexing and resulting stresses of a part or assembly at each instant of an event. Algor’s proprietary kinematic element technology makes performing Mechanical Event Simulations using CAD solid parts and assemblies practical for realistic, accurate results. Engineers can use Algor’s InCAD^Plus and InCAD DesignPak products to seamlessly capture exact CAD geometry from popular CAD systems within Algor. The company also offers linear stress, vibration, heat transfer, electrostatic, fluid flow, composite materials and piping systems analysis tools. Algor’s software interchanges data with products from ANSYS, Inc. (Nasdaq:ANSS), Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), CADKEY Corporation, MSC.Software Corporation (NYSE:MNS), Parametric Technology Corporation, Structural Dynamics Research Corporation, Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:UGS), SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq:DASTY) company, and others.