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FEA Platforms and their Compatibility with CAD Systems and FEA Solvers

NEi Software CAD systems compatibility includes AutoCAD, Catia, Ideas, IronCAD (NEi Nastran in-CAD), MicroStation, Solid Edge, NX, Pro/E, SolidWorks, Unigraphics, IGES, ACIS and STEP. FEA solver compatibility includes Abaqus, Adina, Ansys, LS-Dyna, MSC Nastran, NEi Nastran, NX Nastran, Sinda, and TMG. Request more information.

Use the below chart to evaluate the compatibility of NEi Software solutions. Find out more about NEi Software and Siemens' technology partners.

Functions of an FEA Platform and Modeler

1. Creates, imports, repairs and generates CAD geometry
2. Creates an FEA Model from the CAD geometry
3. Exports the FEA Model to an FEA Solver and imports the solution
4. Displays the results for quick interpretation by the engineer.

In selecting an FEA Platform, the power and utility can be judged by the the capabilities of the platform to perform the four above listed functions as well as the number of CAD systems and FEA Solvers with which it can interface. The ability to access and manage FEA and CAD data from multiple sources provides a high degree of flexibility for organizations as they select their FEA and CAD systems as well as their external product development partners.

FEA platform capabilities, for FEA model creation, determine the ability to faithfully represent the physics of the system being simulated, including the presence of appropriate loads and boundary conditions, a library of material models, a wide selection of element properties, and meshing tools that enable high quality discretization for accurate solutions.

The ability to interface with different FEA Solvers provides the flexibility needed in accessing the many different types of analysis including linear and nonlinear statics, buckling, dynamics, normal modes, thermal, explicit impact, contact, composites, and fluid flow. Graphic features, images and animation in results processing help the analyst to visualize ciritical behaviors, highlight responses of interest, and communicate key findings. In addition, FEA platforms that offer a variety of flexible tools that can be tailored to an analyst's specific needs can enable organization to meet their product development goals.