FLEXIBILITY OF MULTIPLE, TIME-VARYING LOADS AND NEW ELEMENTS MAKE HEAT TRANSFER ANALYSES FASTER AND EASIER

With new multiple load curves and thermal rod elements, Algor provides engineers with the flexibility to conduct more complex thermal analyses of parts or assemblies. The picture in the foreground shows thermal rod elements regulating the heat transfer between the two parts. The data input windows in the background illustrate different, time-varying loads that can be applied simultaneously to a model.

PITTSBURGH, PA – May 18, 2000 – Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, today announced new capabilities within its heat transfer product line, including the ability to input multiple load curves and a thermal rod element. The new features will reduce modeling and analysis times and provide engineers with an edge in time-to-market.

Through the use of multiple load curves, engineers can now apply any type of nodal-, surface- or element-based load – temperature, convection, radiation, heat generation, heat flux – during transient heat transfer analyses to determine how parts or assemblies will react under such time-varying loads. The results of any heat transfer analysis can then be automatically applied as input for a linear static stress analysis or Mechanical Event Simulation.

"By providing additional flexibility through the number and type of loads that engineers can include within their models, Algor’s heat transfer product line allows engineers to simulate more complex thermal conditions," said Michael Bussler, president of Pittsburgh-based Algor. "This means the actual thermal event can be evaluated in a single FEA analysis and fewer analyses means faster time-to-market."

Also new to Algor’s heat transfer capabilities is a thermal rod element. The element – drawn as a standard "line" element – can be used to bridge the gap between unconnected parts. Rather than directly connecting multiple parts by matching different finite element meshes, rod elements can be used to connect the parts.

These thermal rod elements then represent the characteristics of the void between the different parts in steady-state or transient heat transfer analyses. By varying the stiffness of the rod elements through data input, the engineer can define the connecting medium and vary the resulting heat flow.

On the near horizon is another addition to Algor’s heat transfer analysis capabilities: the thermal plate element. This element will provide the ability to define finite element models with plate/shell elements, which take less time to analyze than solid brick and tetrahedral elements. To automatically create thermal plate elements from a thin-walled CAD solid model, Algor offers midplane meshing, which converts thin, solid features into plate/shell elements using the midpoint of their thickness.

The upgraded thermal capabilities work with Windows NT/95/98/2000. Algor customers with current technical support and maintenance agreements can request a complete software update, including the new thermal capabilities through Algor’s Web site (www.algor.com) or an Algor account representative.

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.