MSC Apex as a pre-processor for MSC Marc

MSC Apex is first and foremost a pre/post processor for Nastran but that doesn’t stop users of other solver technologies from taking advantage of the model preparation and meshing capability. 

The Nastran bulk data format is the closest thing we have to a universal FEA definition file and so can be read by almost every other FEA application out there. 

Topics: Finite Element Analysis (FEA), MSC One, TechTips, MSC Apex, 3DMarketplace, Hexagon MSC Software

#3DEXPERIENCE WORKS reference selection

SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE® Works whitepapers, reference guides, datasheets, how-to videos and ebooks. 

A selection of guides, videos and on-demand webinars are available to view or access below:

Topics: 3DEXPERIENCE, Dassault Systemes, TechTips, #HowCanWeHelpYou?, SOLIDWORKS, 3DEXPERIENCE Works

#BeyondBIM2021 Symposium Highlights

Key TakeAways 

"Change is certainly coming and there’s much to learn from manufacturing for some areas of AEC"

Dale Sinclair, AECOM

Desktop Engineering recently concluded its annual BeyondBIM virtual event with a broad consensus that in the future the construction industry needs to grasp new technologies to drive improved processes, together with recognising the need to train in these new methods.

Topics: Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC), Building Information Modelling (BIM), BIM, Building Experience Modeling (BEM), #HowCanWeHelpYou?, beyondbim

Company Restructuring & Software Licencing

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis companies in the aerospace design and manufacturing sector have been particularly affected by the economic impact of the disruption to worldwide economies. Some have seen their orders and revenues drop immediately by sometimes 50% driven by the reduction in production of new aircraft.  

These companies have had to quickly reduce costs and take advantage of any state support.

However, those with low cash reserves have seen the need to restructure through some form of merger, sale or even some type of insolvency process.

Topics: MSC Software, Dassault Systemes, #HowCanWeHelpYou?

Space Technologies - solutions with Heritage

NASA Structural Analysis Code* was just the beginning ..... 

MSC Software has been a key partner to the Space Industry since the 1960s.  Many people associate MSC only with Nastran, which is the keystone of their product set, but through a process of development and acquisition, they have developed a portfolio of tools that are used across a number of domains within engineering simulation in the Space Industry. 

Topics: MSC Software, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Aerospace, MSC Nastran, MSC One, space techologies

Improve composite FEA process AND get manufacturing output

How to improve your composite FEA process AND get manufacturing output as a side benefit

When working with laminated composites it is important to consider the effects that draping the pre-pregs has on the orientations and thickness that get used in finite element analysis. 

Laminate Modeller is a plug-in tool for MSC Patran that does this fundamental job, but offers so much more. 

Topics: MSC Software, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), MSC One, TechTips, analysis, Patran

How to define composites in MSC Apex

MSC Apex is the quick-to-learn, easy-to-use, intuitive Finite Element Modeller from MSC Software.

Defining and using laminate materials is part of the base license and uses a zone-based methodology for managing the stacking sequence.

The video demonstration is a short walk-through on how to go about applying laminate material (composite) properties to a mesh in MSC Apex, illustrating how a panel has its zones defined, and how you can interrogate a laminated model to understand the material definition.

Topics: MSC Software, Various - CAD CAM FEA PLM, MSC One, MSC Apex

New Space ... New Horizons

New Space – the commercial space industry driven by private organizations – is making giant leaps in space tourism, exploration and satellite technology. Europe, the USA, China, India and Israel are among the countries that stand to gain as innovative projects promise benefits such as insights into weather patterns and climate change, better communications networks, and geographical data analytics to help farmers improve crop yields.

Topics: Aerospace, #HowCanWeHelpYou?, space techologies

A New Year Begins ...

All the team at Desktop Engineering would like to wish all our customers and suppliers best wishes and good fortune for the new year of 2021.

We’ve entered it again with similar lockdown constraints we all worked through 9 months ago. Looking back at that time there was considerable doubt and uncertainty over the outcome.

However, our team, along with support from our loyal customers, have worked through the challenges and arrived in this New Year with a remodelled way of working to meet these renewed constraints. 

Topics: #HowCanWeHelpYou?

Value of PLM for small businesses in 2021

It is a very common feeling when the acronym “PLM” is mentioned that one would think of a large enterprise or business. I wouldn’t argue but, this acronym or infrastructure is not only for large companies. The acronym underlines a process in which currently all companies irrelevant of size or annual revenue undertake in either a manual or semi-manual process.  

PLM – Product Lifecycle Management  

⇒  Is there a product that is developed, designed to manufacture, installed,and maintained that does not have a managed lifecycle? 

Topics: 3DEXPERIENCE, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), SOLIDWORKS