Mechanical Technology April 2016

⎪ Computer-aided engineering ⎪

Above: Click2Cast offers the easiest casting process simulation on the market, requir- ing neither special training nor an extensive technical user background. Left: Altair has released HyperWorks ® 14.0, its latest open architecture CAE simulation platform.

now available, offering unprecedented enterprise-scale value. Click2Cast offers the easiest cast- ing process simulation on the market, requiring neither special training nor an extensive technical user background. It is a very effective and powerful design tool, and provides high value at the critical intersection of manufacturing and product design. In addition, the Altair Partner Alliance (APA) continues its portfolio expansion of third-party technology with applications from over 45 strategic partners. These are directly accessible using HyperWorks Units in domains including: durability and fatigue, NVH, 1D systems simula- tion, injection moulding simulation, composite modelling, stress analysis, materials libraries, thermal analysis, and rapid prototyping. The Hannover showcase The latest versions of HyperWorks 14.0; its concept design and optimisation tools solidThinking Evolve ® and Inspire ® 2016; and new design processes for the development and manufacturing of innovative products are to be showcased at Hanover Messe in Munich on April 27. In addition, Altair will host: ‘ATCx AM –Design for Additive Manufacturing’ a conference included in the overall CAE Forum programme. The Altair programme features an afternoon filled with presentations from partners such as Laser Zentrum Nord, Materialise, and voxeljet – as well as customers such as EDAG and RUAG

Right: A FEKO model of a single antenna for the SKA project.

Space. These companies will present technologies and solutions for additive manufacturing – from design to actual 3D printing. The entire development and manu- facturing processes of a cast aluminium component will be showcased, jointly with Altair partners, HBM nCode and voxeljet. The component was designed and optimised with Inspire, then nCode DesignLife was applied to conduct a fa- tigue analysis and, finally, solidThinking’s Click2Cast software was used to simulate and optimise the casting process. The created design resulted in a cast- ing form, 3D-printed by voxeljet. Thanks to the nature-inspired optimised design created with Inspire and the application of a 3D-printed cast form with voxeljet solutions, manufacturers can now benefit from the design freedom 3D printing offers, while benefitting from series- production readiness and higher cost efficiencies. In addition, the resulting component outperforms traditionally manufactured parts. Depending on the load case, the new component was three to five times stiffer, without additional weight. Altair will also highlight its solu- tions for laser additive manufacturing methods together with Laser Zentrum Nord. Throughout 2016, the companies

are offering training for engineers and designers to learn how to develop and design state-of-the-art 3D-printed metal products. The companies also collaborate on projects for various customers from different industries, such as automotive and aerospace, and will present case studies resulting from this cooperation. “We are happy to welcome HBM nCode and Laser Zentrum Nord at our booth,” says Mirko Bromberger, director of marketing and additive manufacturing strategies at Altair Engineering. “Both companies are important partners for development and production, especially with regards to new development and manufacturing processes. Visitors of Hannover Messe can expect a very broad and informative programme, highlighting solutions for the different production and engineering disciplines.” In the course of the CAE Forum at Hannover Messe 2016, Altair will or- ganise and moderate the symposium: ‘Design for Additive Manufacturing’ featuring presentations about: structures inspired by nature for 3D printing; key aspects of design for additive manufac- turing; development processes for the innovative manufacturing of mould com- ponents; part optimisation by 3D print- ing; and design case studies involving space structures and pressure valves. q

Mechanical Technology — April 2016

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