Modelling and Simulation Software

Modelling and simulation is a process by which researchers can get information about how a structure, for example, will behave under certain conditions, without having to test it in real life. Using simulations are generally more cost effective and safer than conducting experiments with a prototype of the final product. Simulations can often be more realistic than traditional experiments, as they allow for free configuration of environmental parameters found in the operational application field of the final product. In systems engineering support, which is applied for the procurement, development and testing of systems, support can start in early phases and include topics such as executable system architecture.

Another advantage of using modelling and simulation software is that researchers can look at platforms from various angles, performing the same test several times. By using algorithms, researchers are able to predict, for example, how a structure will hold under a certain weight, without compromising the actual physical structure. This allows them to assist clients with solving logistical problems.

The CSIR’s Technology for Special Operations (TSO) group currently works with the following modelling and simulation software packages.

Autodesk Inventor is 3D mechanical Computer Aided Design (CAD) software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualisation and simulation of products. The software includes an integrated motion simulation and assembly stress analysis environment.

Strand7 is used to construct finite element models, analyse them using various solvers and investigate the results. TSO directs the use of Strand 7 to the ship structures.

Altium Designer Electronic is an electronic CAD package that is used to draw circuit schematics and printed circuit boards PCBs. These schematics and PCBs are used to create new electronic devices and systems.

EPLAN is an electronic CAD package that is used to draw the wiring schematics for electrical boxes. These schematics are then used to create new electronic devices and systems.

MATLAB is a multi-paradigm numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language which allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other computing languages such as C, C++, Java and Fortran. Primarily used for modelling design and simulation of electrical and electronic networks and control algorithms.

CORE is a systems engineering tool that allows the engineer to integrate requirement management, identify system functionality, such as; system behaviour analysis, develop and trace system architecture from system to sub-systems and component levels, provide traceability from system design to validation and verification plans and procedures, and automatically produce system design documentation directly from the design repository to support team and customer review of the design progress.

RAMLOG is a specialised logistic engineering tool for the analysis of system logistic support requirements, development of support data and allocation of support product requirements. It provides for integrated engineering of logistic support, reliability, maintainability and life-cycle cost aspects.

ATLAS.ti is a suite of tools that supports analysis of written texts, audio clips, video files, and visual or graphic data. These tools are tightly integrated and designed to support the work-flow of the qualitative researcher. ATLAS.ti also includes tools to help you manage, extract, compare, explore, and reassemble meaningful segments of information from large amounts of data.

Geomagic Wrap enables users to transform point cloud data, probe data and imported 3DD formats (STL, OBJ, etc.) into 3D polygon meshes for use in manufacturing, analysis, design, entertainment archaeology and analysis. TSO uses Geomagic Wrap for analysing 3D Scan Data.

Patran is a comprehensive pre- and post-processing environment for FEA analysis and help engineers to virtually conceptualise, develop and test product designs.

Contact
Niel Goslett
dpss@csir.co.za