ELAnO consortium develops software optimize the shape and topology of components and structures
LMS International and several manufacturing companies, software developers and university research institutes formed the ELAnO consortium to create software tools for optimizing the shape and topology of components and structures. To design products with lighter weight and lower cost, most engineers are working on how to replace old materials like steel with more lightweight materials, such as aluminum or magnesium. In the quest for lightweight materials, the idea of saving weight and cost by trimming unnecessary material from a design is often overlooked.
The ELAnO group, led by FE-Design, is aiming at improving materials usage by developing software to perform precise shape and topology optimization based on attribute-specific performance analyses. The software would draw and combine data from material testing, physical and numerical determination of loads as well as from durability and multibody simulations. For example, recommendations on the minimal structure and optimum shape of a component will be generated from stress analysis resulting from a full durability test schedule, instead of a single static load case. ELAnO members believe that components, which are part of dynamically excited systems, such as crankshafts, can be better optimized in context of a full system and with regard to production methods. The consortium is therefore targeting optimization software that includes multibody simulation and manufacturing constraints in the optimization process.
Existing software from FE-Design and LMS International provided the starting point for developing new software. FE-Design’s TOSCA.topology and TOSCA.shape as well as LMS OPTIMUS, LMS FALANCS, and LMS DADS from LMS International provided the shaping, multibody simulation, and functional performance prototyping constituents. The first ELAnO prototypes will be demonstrated at the European LMS Conference, November 28 and 29, in Stuttgart, Germany. Software tools from the project will become generally available in 2004.
In addition to LMS International, the consortium includes:
LMS International and several manufacturing companies, software developers and university research institutes formed the ELAnO consortium to create software tools for optimizing the shape and topology of components and structures. To design products with lighter weight and lower cost, most engineers are working on how to replace old materials like steel with more lightweight materials, such as aluminum or magnesium. In the quest for lightweight materials, the idea of saving weight and cost by trimming unnecessary material from a design is often overlooked.
The ELAnO group, led by FE-Design, is aiming at improving materials usage by developing software to perform precise shape and topology optimization based on attribute-specific performance analyses. The software would draw and combine data from material testing, physical and numerical determination of loads as well as from durability and multibody simulations. For example, recommendations on the minimal structure and optimum shape of a component will be generated from stress analysis resulting from a full durability test schedule, instead of a single static load case. ELAnO members believe that components, which are part of dynamically excited systems, such as crankshafts, can be better optimized in context of a full system and with regard to production methods. The consortium is therefore targeting optimization software that includes multibody simulation and manufacturing constraints in the optimization process.
Existing software from FE-Design and LMS International provided the starting point for developing new software. FE-Design’s TOSCA.topology and TOSCA.shape as well as LMS OPTIMUS, LMS FALANCS, and LMS DADS from LMS International provided the shaping, multibody simulation, and functional performance prototyping constituents. The first ELAnO prototypes will be demonstrated at the European LMS Conference, November 28 and 29, in Stuttgart, Germany. Software tools from the project will become generally available in 2004.
In addition to LMS International, the consortium includes:
- INDEX group is a machine manufacturer developing and implementing new concepts for innovative milling and turning units (www.index-werke.de).
- ZF Friedrichshafen AG develops and manufactures gearboxes, steering systems, axles, chassis modules and components and other automotive systems (www.zf.com).
- Freudenberg Forschungsdienste analyzes and optimizes rubber components designed and manufactured by the Freudenberg group (www.ffd-kg.de).
- TRW Automotive develops complete brake systems and car chassis modules for all leading car manufacturers (www.trw.com).
- FE-Design is a service and software development company in the area of numerical simulation and structural optimization (www.fe-design.de)
- The mkl and wbk departments of the University of Karlsruhe (TH) perform research on optimization strategies for machining tools and manufacturing (www.mkl.uni-karlsruhe.de, www-wbk.mach.uni-karlsruhe.de).
- The Department for Analysis of Structures (Lehrstuhl für Statik) of the TU Munich performs research on lightweight construction and structural optimization (www.tu-muenchen.de).
In-depth information about materials, product development and the consortium’s progress can be found on the ELAnO web server, www.elano.org. ELAnO stands for "Entwicklung und Konstruktion von innovativen Leichtbauprodukten unter konsequenter Verwendung adaptierter Analyse- und Optimierungsmethoden" (Design of innovative lightweight structures based on adapted performance analysis and optimization methods). ELAnO is partly funded by the German Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie.
About LMS International
LMS is an engineering innovation partner for companies in the automotive, aerospace and other advanced manufacturing industries. LMS enables its customers to get better products faster to market, and to turn superior process efficiency to their strategic competitive advantage. LMS delivers a unique combination of virtual simulation software, testing systems, and engineering services. We are focused on the mission critical performance attributes in key manufacturing industries, including structural integrity, handling, safety, reliability, comfort and sound quality. Through our technology, people and over 25 years of experience, LMS has become the partner of choice for most of the leading discrete manufacturing companies worldwide. LMS, a Dassault Systèmes Gold Partner, is certified to ISO9001:2000 quality standards and operates through a network of subsidiaries and representatives in key locations around the world.
