SCIENCE

Altair Engineering will showcase its expertise and innovation in simulation-driven design and computer-aided engineering (CAE) process automation with two compelling presentations about the future of computer simulation at the NAFEMS 2010 Virtual Conference.

During the online conference, themed "2020 Vision of Engineering Analysis and Simulation," Altair Chairman and CEO James Scapa will share his perspective about the future role CAE will play in the earliest stages of innovating products. His presentation, scheduled for Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. ET, will focus on "The Next Decade – CAE in the Innovative Process," and will highlight the broadening role of CAE and how existing and emerging technologies, such as simulation technology, will be used as key contributors for moving beyond virtual tests to idea creation for product design.

"Over the past 25 years, James Scapa has strategically led Altair to constantly evaluate emerging trends and innovate new technologies to address those trends," said Jeff Brennan, executive vice president of global markets for Altair. "These technologies have transformed the way products are designed today, and Altair is eager to continue leading the way in the development of cutting-edge technology and breakthrough approaches to the CAE process."

Altair's CAD2Crash24 Grand Challenge pushed the CAE process to the limits when on Apr. 20, 2010 a team of its engineers broke the simulation time barrier, compressing the time required to mesh, assemble and simulate a full-vehicle model crash and finite-element analysis (FEA) from the traditional two to four weeks into just 24 hours. At the NAFEMS Conference on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. ET, Altair Executive Director of Global Automotive Anthony Norton will co-lead a presentation, "Learning from the CAD2Crash24 Grand Challenge," that explores how Altair used only its commercially available HyperWorks suite of CAE applications and OEM native computer-aided design (CAD) data for this milestone achievement, and became the first company to complete this level of automation.

HyperWorks is the most comprehensive, open-architecture CAE solution in the industry, including best-in-class modeling, analysis, visualization and data management solutions for linear, nonlinear, structural optimization, fluid-structure interaction, and multi-body dynamics applications. HyperWorks' open architecture, which allows for seamless integration with its customers' third-party vendors for highly automated product design processes, is supported by Altair's unique patented units-based software licensing model that allows users to run multiple applications simultaneously without using more licensing units.

The NAFEMS 2010 Virtual Conference, Nov. 15-16, will feature speakers and breakout sessions focused on business developments that increase the return-on-investment of CAE solutions, technical developments that enhance the performance and success of CAE solutions, and human issues that impact the CAE process.

Altair is a platinum sponsor of the conference and will host a booth on the virtual exhibit floor where attendees can learn more about HyperWorks and the CAD2Crash24 Grand Challenge, as well as Altair's licensing model and its entire line of products and services.

The NAFEMS 2010 Virtual Conference, hosted by NAFEMS North America, is free for NAFEMS members and is open to non-members for a $100 registration fee.