Altair OptiStruct Integrates with AVL EXCITE

Altair and AVL have created a better integration between OptiStruct and AVL EXCITE. The platforms are suited for finite element analysis (FEA) and CAE, respectively. This partnership, according to the company, shortens the workflow, reduces error and improves the robustness of engine dynamics analysis.

Added features with this compatibility include the ability to produce an AVL EXCITE body property input data file without generating intermediate files that require translation. This allows for less error and decreases data input time by as much as 50%, a press release states.

Users can also connect components of dissimilar meshes, output results subsets and write stress results in either .op2 or .hd3 file formats.

The new automated interface for the software can be used by engine manufacturers in industries such as automotive, aerospace, off-highway and rail. It is also suitable for the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) industry.

“Previously, engineers had to run the FEA and then manually convert the results data to be used in AVL EXCITE for the analysis and simulation of the complete transmission,” said Harold Thomas, development director of Implicit Solver Technologies for Altair. “The Altair OptiStruct-AVL EXCITE interface demonstrates the strength of the open architecture of the Altair HyperWorks suite, which can be customized to interact with other software tools to meet customer requirements for task automation. This flexibility enables a more integrated approach to the product design process, translating into significant time and cost savings for the customer.”

For more information, visit Altair.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.