Cobham Releases New Version of Opera Electromagnetics Simulator

By DE Editors

The Vector Fields Software unit of Cobham Technical Services has released a new version of the Opera electromagnetics simulator for design engineers. The software adds three-dimensional mechanical stress analysis, extending the tool's multiphysics capability. According to the company, by capturing mechanical deformation in conjunction with electromagnetic and thermal modeling, the integrated software can reduce design complexity and timescales.

Opera version 15 is available in a number of variants that include finite element analysis (FEA) for static and time-varying electromagnetic fields, and application-specific solvers for rotating electrical machines, superconducting magnets, charged particle beam devices, and magnetization/demagnetization processes. The solution also supports advanced material models, such as lossy dielectric insulation and magnetic hysteresis. Operas electromagnetic models may also be coupled with third-party system simulation tools available within Simulink.

The new three-dimensional stress analysis module solves for deformations within the elastic limit of the materials, and may be coupled with the electromagnetic solvers to provide a single-step solution to virtual prototyping. In addition to stress and strain produced by the application of mechanical loads and by electromagnetically induced forces, Opera's thermal analysis module may be used to co-simulate thermal expansion. The effects of gravity or rotationally induced forces can also be incorporated in design simulations.

Opera also supports the rapid creation of models of coils, by providing a dynamic pictorial representation of the model under construction to guide the user as design data is entered.

For more information, visit Cobham Technical Services.

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