Bix to supply COSMOS/Works analysis software

Bix to supply COSMOS/Works analysis software

Keywords Bix,Finite element analysis, Software

Users of the award-winning SolidWorks 3D design and modelling software can now benefit from COSMOS/Works, a finite element analysis module available with the full solutions development and support expertise of Bix Computer Applications.

Developed by Structural Research and Analysis Corporation (SRAC), COSMOS/Works contains FFE (fast finite element) modules for static, dynamic and thermal analysis. Not only is the analysis fast, but it is also conservative with its requirements for disk space and processing power.

In today's business environment, the sharing of information is crucial. However, ensuring that the information is current is just as important, which is where product data management can help. As a SolidWorks' authorised reseller, Bix Computer Applications can supply COSMOS/Works either to existing SolidWorks users, or with a new seat of SolidWorks. The company will also ensure that full advantage is taken of the data that are generated. Bix specialises in developing,implementing and supporting systems that take full advantage of the customer's data resources. The company works closely with its customers to integrate new software with existing systems or to introduce it as part of a new product data management system.

Many people choose SolidWorks for its functionality, ease of use and value for money. The same is true for COSMOS/Works, which is accessed through the SolidWorks environment. Once a 3D model has been constructed in SolidWorks, loads and boundary conditions are added in the same way as any other feature would be. Next, the materials are selected and applied, and the model is then meshed automatically. Analysis is carried out at the press of a button and the results can be viewed in SolidWorks windows, mapped onto the model in realtime 3D.

COSMOS/Works is available in three different configurations, of which the basic version allows users to carry out a variety of analyses: linear static analysis to calculate displacements, stresses and strains; buckling analysis to examine buckling loads and corresponding mode shapes; frequency analysis of resonant frequencies and corresponding mode shapes; and steady-state and transient thermal analysis to indicate temperatures, temperature gradients and heat flux.

For more complex tasks,customers can opt for either the intermediate or advanced configurations. These enable in-depth computations to be carried out: linear dynamic analysis using results from the frequency analysis, static and dynamic nonlinear structural analysis, fatigue analysis, design optimisation and sensitivity analysis,laminar fluid flow analysis, and low-frequency electromagnetic analysis.

For customers who already have ANSYS or NASTRAN finite element packages, data generated in COSMOS/Works can be output in a format suitable for reading directly into the other two. The availability of cost-effective in-house finite element analysis allows engineers to continue to iterate a design until a satisfactory solution to a problem has been found. This is extremely useful as a means of facilitating concurrent engineering, as various individuals and departments will be able to comment on a design during this process, for example from a manufacturing, assembly or marketing perspective.

Further details are available from Bix Computer Applications Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 115 925 9990; Fax:+44 (0) 115 925 9993; E-mail: s.clark@bix.co.uk; World Wide Web: http://www.bix.co.uk