2005

• First full-featured FEA system to include American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) code checking (FEMPRO V17).
• First FEA vendor to offer Web Course subscriptions for 24/7 access to all available distance-learning Web Courses.

2004

• First full-featured FEA system to include parametric, structured meshing tools that allow features of a mesh to be automatically updated when a parameter is changed (FEMPRO V16.1).
• First easy-to-use, wizard-based, stress- and strain-based fatigue life calculation tool that allows designers and analysts to complete effective durability assessments of their designs under the effect of multiple loads (FatigueWizard).
• First FEA system to adopt the MatML standard XML schema for material data import and export (FEMPRO V16).

2003

• First FEA-based fluid flow analysis software to include full CAD/CAE associativity and the capability to produce fast, hex-dominant, hybrid FEA meshes for fluid domains defined in leading CAD solid modelers.
• First FEA system to include a CAD solid modeling tool (Alibre Design Basic).

2002

• First FEA system to include the modeling of the pultrusion ("pulled-out") process used to fabricate composite parts made of fiber materials mixed with polymer resins that get solidified by chemical reaction.

2001

• First rotational actuator element for FEA-based Mechanical Event Simulation that allows engineers to specify time-dependent rotations (revolutions per time) to simulate motors (Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First motion-enabled composite element (Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First slider element for FEA-based Mechanical Event Simulation that allows engineers to simulate slot mechanisms (Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First interface for all FEA types including Mechanical Event Simulation that provides right-click application, modification and removal of loads, constraints and finite element properties, making FEA setup easier than ever before (Release 13 Interface).
• First interface for all FEA types including Mechanical Event Simulation that allows engineers to define load and constraint sets within design scenarios to better keep track of various loads and constraints, especially when performing multiple analyses on the same model (Release 13 Interface).

2000

• First wizard for automatically generating FEA models of common pressure vessel and piping components (PV/Designer).
• First graphical curve-fitting utility built into an FEA and Mechanical Event Simulation system for calculating the unique constants for nonlinear materials from stress and strain data determined in simple laboratory tests (Curve-Fitting Utility).
• First to provide an integrated tool to automatically generate plate/shell models of the midplane of thin, CAD solid parts. (Midplane Mesh Engine).
• First 24/7 Internet site providing FEA advice and tips through streaming audio/video media (www.eTechLearning.com).

1999

• First built-in utility that allows engineers to export an FEA model to standard Microsoft applications to edit input data or automate analyses with a customized application (Database Translation Utility).
• First FEA system to be supported by distance-learning Web Courses over the Internet both live on a weekly basis and on-demand at any time (Web Courses).
• First FEA system to be supported by free software demonstration Webcasts over the Internet both live on a weekly basis and on-demand at any time (Webcasts).
• First use of built-in feature suppression tools that allow engineers to specify the detail level of FEA models generated from CAD solid models (InCAD family of products).
• First FEA system allowing engineers to access all analysis capabilities (including linear, nonlinear, Mechanical Event Simulation, heat transfer, electrostatics and fluid flow) from within a CAD solid modeler (InCAD family of products).
• First "In-CAD" support when CAD and FEA are on different computers (InCAD family of products).
• First automatic generation of HTML reports for piping analysis software that includes summaries of input, analysis results and equipment data that can be viewed and printed through any web browser (PipePak).
• First Inertial Load Transfer system, which allows engineers to use one FEA model to analyze dynamic behavior using Mechanical Event Simulation, calculate inertial loads at each node for each instant in time and perform linear and nonlinear static stress analyses using the calculated loads (Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First "kinematic," fully rigid solid elements, which allow engineers to perform Mechanical Event Simulations on CAD solid models and assemblies with significant savings in run times (kinematic elements, InCAD^Plus and Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First FEA input screens to directly access an IT-style database that represents the FEA model, allowing easy model update and data checking (Release 12, building on the 1998 intermediate Release 12, mentioned below).
• First hydrodynamic elements, which allow engineers to study fluid-structure interactions during events without considering the fluid mechanics in detail (Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First FEA actuator elements, which can simulate computer-controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuators that move according to axial extensions or contractions specified as a function of time (Mechanical Event Simulation).

1998

• First use of modern database technology in an FEA or MES system (Intermediate Release 12 Mechanical Event Simulation and Fluid Flow).
• First software that combines kinematics, rigid/flexible body dynamics and nonlinear stress analysis in one software system (Mechanical Event Simulation).

1997

• First automatic contact that eliminates the need for contact elements (Mechanical Event Simulation).
• First Java-based user interface for automatic FEA mesh generation (Houdini interface).

1996

• First Java-based user interface for FEA (Roadmaps).
• First CD-ROM-based information resource that contains software operating and reference documentation, educational materials, product information and more, which can all be accessed through a powerful search utility (DocuTech).
• First fluid flow program to incorporate turbulent flow into a laminar simulation program.

1995

• First full-featured FEA system using the capabilities of Windows 95 and Windows NT.

1994

• First fully automatic converter to create eight-node solid "brick" elements from a CAD solid model (Houdini).
• First fully automatic four-node (quadrilateral) finite element mesh engine to enhance the surface of a CAD solid model (Merlin).

1993

• First use of on-screen, graphical "roadmaps" to speed up learning of sophisticated FEA software.
• First 3-D solid mesh engine that creates eight-node "brick" interior solid elements (hexahedrals) from a surface mesh of four-node surface elements (Hexagen).
• First use of CAD entities to automatically create piping system models for engineering analysis.

1992

• First 3-D solid mesh engine that creates four-node interior solid elements (tetrahedrals) from a surface mesh of three- or four-node surface elements (Hypergen).
• First NURBS-based, 3-D parametric meshing program for four-node (quadrilateral) surface elements (Supersurf).

1991

• First computer language for automatic variational and parametric design as well as design optimization (EAGLE).

1990

• First fully automatic four-node (quadrilateral) mesh generation from CAD drawings.

1989

• First comprehensive nonlinear material and large deformation FEA on personal computers.
• First use of precision contours to graphically display the accuracy of FEA results.

1988

• First FEA on personal computers to break out of the old DOS 640K memory limit.

1987

• First use of built-in CAD to provide an engineering design system with the analysis built in.

1986

• First use of low prices for engineering software to allow for wide acceptance of personal computers in engineering.

1985

• First interface between CAD (AutoCAD) and FEA by automatically converting a drawing to a mesh.

1984

• First comprehensive FEA system for personal computers.