Available Software

The IPL contains 4 PC's, 1 Laser Printer, and 1 Color DeskJet Printer for Design Students to use. The following list of software is available on the IPL's Computers.

Adobe Illustrator 7.0: Illustration software providing one of the richest most versatile design and illustration packages available. Illustrator combines the finest illustration tools with extensive typographic control and image support. Illustrator provides the tools you need to create inspired packaging, ad and editorial spreads, brochures, video artwork, web pages and more. Click HERE for tutorials.

ANSYS Student Edition Version 5.3: ANSYS finite element analysis software enables engineers to perform the following tasks: 1) build computer models or transfer CAD models of structures, products, components, or systems; 2) apply operating loads or other design performance conditions; 3) study the physical responses or the impact of electromagnetic fields; 4) optimize a design early in the development process to reduce production costs; and 5) perform prototype testing in environment where it otherwise would be undesirable or impossible. Click HERE for tutorials on ANSYS.

Cambridge Engineering Selector: A complete database of material properties, covering all the main classes of engineering materials. It is also a data management system that allows the user to view and manipulate data in order to make optimum material selections during the design process.

Cambridge Process Selector: Enables the best manufacturing process to be selected for a component, by linking the manufacturing method directly to the design. It does this by matching the characteristics of the component to the capabilities of manufacturing processes.

The Desktop Engineer 5.0: A computerized handbook representing the world's largest known compilation of solutions to engineering equations. The Desktop Engineer numerically and graphically provides solutions to over 5,000 equations required in structural/mechanical engineering applications.

Design for Assembly (DFA): Helps estimate the cost of manually assembling a product by trying different design strategies. Also you may choose the one that provides the simplest product structure and minimizes the cost of assembly.

Design for Environment (DFE): Assists in estimating environmental effects of production and the end of life of a product. Also, the costs and benefits of disposal, recycling, and reuse can be estimated. With graphical feedback, the software helps to explore scenarios and to find an optimal design strategy in order to reduce environmental effects and costs.

Design for Manufacture: Die Casting: This program is designed to help estimate the cost and time to manufacture a new die cast part. This estimation is done by analyzing the material data, dimensional data, quality, appearance, tolerances, part finishes, and part complexity. Injection Molding: This program is designed to help estimate the total cost of manufacturing an injection-molded part. The cost is determined by three main items: 1) mold cost, 2) processing or molding cost (including secondary operation costs), and 3) material cost. Machining: This program is designed to help estimate the cost and time to machine a new part. This estimation is done by analyzing basic part information, production parameters, workpiece information, and secondary operations. Powder Metal Parts: This program is designed to help estimate the cost and time to manufacture a new powder metal part. This estimation is done by analyzing the material data, dimensional data, basic part features, production quantities, effective nesting dimensions, and secondary operations. Sheet Metal Working: This program is designed to help estimate the cost and time to manufacture a new sheet metal part. This estimation is done by analyzing main processes, material data, information on shape of the flat sheet metal part prior to an operation, and special purpose tooling.

FEMAP Modeler/Mesh Generator (FEMAP(r)): Provides a CAE environment to enable engineers to efficiently develop simulations of mechanical product performance. Geometry or finite element models can be created using bottom-up construction popular for conceptual modeling. Complex CAD geometry may be accessed directly in Parasolid or ACIS format. Once the model is prepared in FEMAP, mechanical performance can be solved by a wide range of FEA solvers. Results are then reviewed directly in FEMAP, with high performance graphical and report based post-processing.

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEAplus): Software developed by Ford Motor Company. An FMEA can be described as a systemized group of activities intended to: (a) recognize and evaluate the potential failure of a product/process and its effects, (b) identify actions which could eliminate or reduce the chance of the potential failure occurring, and (c) document the process. It is complementary to the design process of defining positively what a design must do to satisfy the customer.

Lincages: A family of programs that aids in the design, synthesis, and analysis of planar mechanisms. LINCAGES-4 is specifically for designing four-bar linkages, while LINCAGES-6 aids in the design of the more complex six-bar mechanisms. Both programs are based on the advanced theories of kinematics (e.g. Burmester theory, precision positions, dyad and triad synthesis). A user-friendly interface, complete with pull-down menus, multiple windows, color-coded solution maps, and mechanism animation, effectively hides the theory and frees the designer to concentrate on viable solutions.

Mathematica: A comprehensive technical-computing environment that allows the user to easily work with numerical, symbolic and graphical information and data. Mathematica is particularly useful when working with symbolic notations and for the manipulation of algebraic expressions. Additionally, Mathematica includes significant plotting and graphical visualization tools along with a built-in scripting language.

MATLAB: A technical computing environment with capabilities in numeric computation and visualization. It integrates the key requirements of a technical computing system: numeric computation, advanced graphics and visualization, high level programming language based on vectors, arrays and matrices, and application-specific tools.

Microsoft Office 2000: This suite of software includes: 1) Microsoft Excel: Spreadsheet software, 2) Microsoft PowerPoint: Presentation graphics software, 3) Microsoft Project: Project planning software, 4) Microsoft Word: Word processing software

mTAB*Stress is Finite Element Modeler/Post Processor: An interactive finite element program for analyzing linear structural systems. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional analyses, both static and dynamic, can be performed with this program.

Working Model (Knowledge Revolutions Working Model(r) 5.0): Combines advanced motion simulation technology with sophisticated editing capabilities to provide a complete, professional tool for engineering and animation simulation. The dynamic simulation engine provides a translation of real world Newtonian mechanics to the computer, while the simple, yet powerful, graphical user interface makes it easy to experiment with various scenarios and situations.