Dassault Systèmes Announces ABAQUS for CATIA V5 Version 2.3
New Release Improves Enterprise Collaboration in Evaluating Product Performance

Dassault Systèmes, a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announces the availability of Version 2.3 of ABAQUS for CATIA V5.

Integrated within the CATIA V5 Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution from Dassault Systèmes, the latest software product from the SIMULIA brand improves the deployment of high-value analysis workflows and advanced simulation technology across product development organizations in a wide range of industries, including ground vehicles, aerospace and defense, biomedical, and others.

Version 2.3 of ABAQUS for CATIA V5 takes advantage of the latest technology advances in ABAQUS Version 6.6 and CATIA V5 R16 to deepen its capabilities, with particular emphasis on new enhancements in contact modeling, connections, and usability.

The tight integration of ABAQUS with CATIA enables advanced methods developed and validated by ABAQUS specialists to be deployed to the enterprise as proven analysis workflows. The software enables both design engineers and analysis specialists to use the same FEA methods and models within CATIA V5, ensuring repeatability and accuracy. The latest product release builds on the SIMULIA strategy of providing scalable simulation solutions and an open framework for performing multidisciplinary analysis within the PLM process.

"The new release of ABAQUS for CATIA V5 enhances the accessibility of powerful FEA methods and capabilities within the CATIA V5 PLM environment,” says Marc Schrank, director of product management for ABAQUS. "This PLM integrated solution enables our customers to define and deploy proven analysis methods so that design engineers and analysts are able to collaborate on evaluating realistic behavior of their products. It allows companies to do more simulation earlier in the product development process, leading to lower development costs and improved quality of their products.”

A number of ABAQUS customers, including companies such as Toyota Motor Company, Honda, Boeing, and PSA Peugeot Citroën, specify and evaluate new features for ABAQUS for CATIA V5 software as members of the AFC Customer Review Team. Improvements to Version 2.3 of ABAQUS for CATIA V5 focus on providing immediate benefits in production environments. New capabilities in the software include:

• Support of ABAQUS Version 6.6. Takes advantage of complete functionality of ABAQUS/standard solver capabilities, including contact enhancements and performance improvements.

• Spot, Seam, and Surface Weld Modeling. Leverages the weld modeling functionality of CATIA V5 to enable rapid definition of a large number of rigid or flexible connections. New capabilities and improvements account for spot, seam, and surface welds. Connection locations can be independent of the underlying mesh, which reduces model size and complexity of the meshing requirements. Combined with ABAQUS contact capabilities and the ability to simulate large deformation, the new weld features make ABAQUS for CATIA V5 an attractive analysis tool for airframe and automotive body modeling.

• ABAQUS Continuum Shell Technology. Enables the modeling of shell structures with continuum shell elements, which permits the use of the actual CAD geometry of the structure rather than determining an approximate midplane and appropriate offsets of adjoining components. This approach simplifies modeling and improves accuracy of simulations involving contact.

• Contact Enhancements. Takes advantage of ABAQUS Version 6.6 contact capabilities, including the ability to model applications involving large sliding between parts, using the surface-to-surface formulation. Usability enhancements include the ability to view some or all of the parts in a complex contact analysis, which can assist in confirming the selection of contact surfaces.

For more information visit: www.simulia.com.

Image 1. View of a model of a composite airplane fuselage panel with point fasteners. ABAQUS for CATIA V5 Version 2.3 provides a number of options for creating point, line, and surface-based connections between components. This fuselage panel contains a large number of flexible point fasteners that can be modeled rapidly using the spot weld tool. Connection tools such as this, together with ABAQUS contact capabilities and the ability to simulate large deformation behavior, make ABAQUS for CATIA V5 attractive for airframe and automotive body modeling.

Image 2. Analysis of the maximum displacement and stresses in a critical button component of a handheld electronic device. ABAQUS for CATIA V5 enables design engineers to evaluate critical components using nonlinear FEA as part of the process of modifying various design parameters. Ease of use for end users and the ability to leverage analysis methods developed by ABAQUS specialists make ABAQUS for CATIA V5 a valuable tool in production environments.

About SIMULIA
In 2005, Dassault Systèmes acquired ABAQUS, Inc. and announced SIMULIA, the brand that encompasses all DS simulation solutions, including ABAQUS and CATIA analysis applications. SIMULIA provides a scalable portfolio of simulation solutions, as well as an open platform to support integration of multidisciplinary analysis with its industry leading partners. By building on established technology, respected quality, and superior customer service, SIMULIA makes realistic simulation an integral business practice that enables engineers and scientists to improve product performance, eliminate physical prototypes, and drive innovation. Headquartered in Providence, RI, USA, with R&D centers in Providence and in Surésnes, France, the SIMULIA brand provides global sales, services, and support through a network of more then 29 regional ABAQUS offices and distributors.

Dassault Systèmes Announces ENOVIA 3D Live for Instant 3D Collaboration Online

Dassault Systèmes announced ENOVIA 3D Live beta version, the first 3D Collaborative Intelligence solution, which exploits DS’ V5 Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) for online applications. Via an intuitive user interface, ENOVIA 3D Live enables any individual to instantly search and navigate any PLM information, regardless of location, source or format. On demand 3D collaboration between users delivers unique breakthroughs for innovative PLM processes in all markets.

“We are very excited about DS’ strategy to provide 3D Live online applications to empower enterprise users on Microsoft’s platforms,” says Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president, Developer and Platform Evangelism Group, Microsoft. “ENOVIA 3D Live illustrates Microsoft and DS’ common passion for connected solutions delivering ease, power and performance to our customers.”

“With ENOVIA 3D Live, the first online application for collaborative intelligence, DS brings the power of PLM to a wide range of new users in existing and new markets,” explains Dominique Florack, executive vice president, R&D, Dassault Systèmes. “The ENOVIA 3D Live user experience takes online collaboration to a new level.”

” ENOVIA 3D Live is a lightweight application available on the web. It makes it possible for anybody to connect to any PLM information source securely, anywhere and at anytime.” Breakthrough technologies include 3DSearch, 3DNavigation and 3DCollaboration. ENOVIA 3D Live can embrace any PLM data, via V5 SOA open architecture. The solution, currently being beta-tested by key DS clients, will be available later this year.”

Dassault Systèmes Unveils V5 SOA Strategy

Dassault Systèmes announced its V5 SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) strategy. This strategy demonstrates DS’ commitment to extend the benefits of PLM solutions to new markets and new types of users and communities. V5 SOA is the cornerstone for DS and its partners to deliver fully collaborative PLM services on demand.

"I am delighted that DS fully endorses the SOA strategy and standards for its applications and extends it to match customers’ PLM needs,” said Robert LeBlanc, General Manager, Websphere, IBM. “Together with DS, we will service our customers and partners with the unique value of our combined complete PLM solutions to collaborate and innovate."

"With our V5 SOA strategy, DS extends current CAA V5 architecture with best in class web technologies and introduces the unique power of 3D collaborative applications for networked innovation,” explains Dominique Florack, executive vice president, Strategy, R&D, Dassault Systèmes. “DS demonstrates once again its commitment to secure and leverage customers’ investments while continuously delivering breakthrough applications and services to speed up and extend the PLM business transformation."

“V5 SOA increases our ability to develop next-generation PLM solutions and solve the challenges at the core of our customers' businesses,” says Yoshikazu Niwa, executive corporate officer, Nihon Unisys Solutions Ltd. “SOA architecture allows us to rapidly integrate our solutions based on an existing application framework, with a unified user interface, bringing added flexibility to the supply chain. It will drive innovation and ensure that our customers remain competitive.”

V5 SOA is the technical foundation for DS’ PLM brands and partners’ solutions moving forward. It bridges the gap between PLM solutions and existing enterprise middleware, by providing services in five key domains:

• V5 SOA collaborative user experience  
• V5 SOA business process modeling and execution
• V5 SOA IP modeling, integration and management
• V5 SOA Enterprise foundations (search, collaboration…)
• V5 SOA openness (web services, 3DXML, …)

DS will leverage its strategic technological partnerships with IBM and Microsoft to optimize V5 SOA on their respective platforms.

New BPCs from Dassault Systèmes Bring Rapid Return-on-Investment for Customers
Adaptable solutions mean customers of all sizes can speed PLM deployment, enhance productivity and profitability, at a low cost

Dassault Systèmes recently rolled out a new release of its Industry Solutions BPCs (Business Process Content), flexible software assets from DS Industry Solutions which enable customers to implement and adapt Dassault Systèmes’ PLM Solutions to meet their specific needs, without the cost of customized software.

“We have accelerated our requirements gathering phase for Seat Engineering with CATIA V5 and ENOVIA V5 thanks to the PLM Engineering Desktop BPC for Automotive,” said Rick Sturgeon, executive director, Global Engineering Operations, Johnson Controls Inc.

“BPCs, or ‘accelerators’, speed up the deployment of PLM solutions for our customers, bringing great value solutions that leverage our industry experience without major investment,” noted Bruno Latchague, executive vice-president Development & Support, Industry Solutions, Dassault Systèmes. “BPCs reflect our long-term commitment to improving our customers’ performance.”

Drawing on DS’ vast experience of creating preconfigured Industry Solutions, Dassault Systèmes’ engineers have identified the parts of solutions which have a tried and tested value across wider industries, and encapsulated them as BPCs. Repackaging the knowledge gained by working closely with customers on critical business transformation projects means more companies can now benefit from the proven advantages of a certified component of an Industry Solution, at a fraction of the cost.

“Dassault Systèmes’ PLM Engineering Desktop is a robust set of templates that include ‘engineering cockpits’ for aerospace and automotive industry design engineers,” stated Ken Amann, director of research for CIMdata. “Built on ENOVIA VPLM, BPCs incorporate industry best practices and competencies that can be quickly and easily tailored to implement company specific solutions.”

Dassault Systèmes’ state-of-the-art Industry Solutions are based on industry-specific PLM Practices, covering innovative and well-proven industry scenarios in the form of methodology and documentation. The new release, available on July 21, 2006 includes 18 V5R16 new or enhanced BPCs built on the industry-leading PLM solutions CATIA, ENOVIA VPLM, and ENOVIA SMARTEAM.

Included in this release are these new BPCs:
• PLM Engineering Desktop (PED): A new ‘accelerator’ to speed deployment of CATIA and ENOVIA VPLM in the automotive and aerospace industries, to support Collaborative and Relational Product Development.

• Aerospace Supplier Collaborative Hub: An ‘accelerator’ for the aerospace industry that hastens deployment and eases user adoption of ENOVIA SMARTEAM by providing pre-configured data models and business processes, and strengthens internal and external collaboration between customers, partners, and suppliers.

• Collaborative System Engineering (CSE): An extended solution with System Dysfunctional Analysis & Simulation to manage all aspects of safety assessment and to maintain the safety levels required by certification authorities for the aerospace, automotive, and railway Industries.

• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP): An efficient way to maintain compliance to AIAG standards by managing a company’s process and documents with ENOVIA SMARTEAM, it enables a company to drive quality improvements into product design and manufacturing, improve process efficiency and tracking, and reduce the administrative burden of the APQP compliance process.

• Integrated Mechanical Product Development (IMPD): Further enhancement of the IMPD solution for the electronics Industry with a new BPC for CATIA V5 to optimize the printed circuit board (PCB) development process by designing a flexible PCB in a 3D context and sharing its flattened definition with the ECAD Designer, for component placement and routing.

Dassault Systèmes Presents CATIA Systems End-to-End Open PLM Solutions for Embedded Systems

Dassault Systèmes recently presented its CATIA Systems strategy, putting embedded systems modeling at the heart of CATIA. DS selected the open standard, Modelica, to be at the core of DS’ open strategy. Hence, the announcement of DS’ acquisition of Dynasim, a Swedish company, leader in Modelica based modeling and simulation solutions, with the Dymola product suite.

“The creation of CATIA Systems demonstrates DS’ commitment to expand its PLM vision in all sectors which require embedded systems innovation,” says Dominique Florack, Executive Vice President, Strategy, R&D, Dassault Systèmes. “DS’ strategy is to offer an open V5 embedded systems platform, based on unique mathematical foundations, enabling customers to model, simulate and manage the life-cycle of 100% of the behavior of their products.”

“I am delighted that DS has selected Dynasim as the key component of its V5 embedded system platform,” said Dr. Hilding Elmqvist, founder and CEO, Dynasim AB. “Via DS’ integration of CATIA Systems and Modelica based Dymola technologies, DS’ strategy, with its partners, is to help companies switch from a proprietary simulation-centric approach to a full virtual product model. I expect that companies in diverse markets, including high-tech and consumer electronics, like Toyota Motor Corporation, will soon be making this switch.”

“I am delighted that DS is embracing the Modelica approach and communities,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Otter, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and chairman of the Modelica Association. “Our strategy is to dramatically expand the worldwide Modelica community, with the help of DS. Eurosyslib, an initiative to generate multi-industry Modelica based content, illustrates the dynamic of this market and strengthens Modelica as the emerging de facto standard for embedded systems modeling.”

CATIA Systems is based on three cornerstones:

• CATIA Systems Collaborative Intelligence – fully supported by ENOVIA 3D Live
• CATIA Systems Modeling and behavior-driven simulation – including Dymola technologies and Modelica support adoption
• CATIA Systems V5 SOA infrastructure for collaborative lifecycle management – embracing ENOVIA VPLM, SMARTEAM, MatrixOne’s capabilities to support end-to-end processes, from concept to deployment

With CATIA Systems, DS will enhance its consulting practices for embedded systems, supporting customers’ business transformation strategies, for product innovation. Dynasim will continue to serve its existing clients with its product suite Dymola.