digital tools and references


Steam Generator Simulator Capability: The HRSGS program predicts the design and off-design performance of single, multiple pressure, unfired and fired heat recovery steam generators. Gas, steam temperature profiles, the duty at each section, and the burner fuel input in fresh air or gas turbine mode can be quickly obtained. Generator configurations can be developed and linked to yield complex multiple pressure (up to 10 pressure levels or 10 modules). Gas and steam temperature profiles can be optimized by rearranging surfaces such as evaporators, economizers, and superheaters. Field data can be related to the design or guarantees to see if the generator has been adequately designed. The user can perform what-if studies on the effect of ambient conditions, steam parameters, and gas turbine/diesel engine exhaust conditions.

Hardware:IBM-compatible PC running Windows 3.1 or above.

Developer: V. Ganapathy, P.O. Box 673, Abilene, TX 79064; (915) 677-9876; rajammal@aol.com; http:// members.aol.com/rajammal/hrsgs. html.

Cost: $650 for single-user version. A free demo program can be downloaded from the Web site.

Control System Design Capability: Rockwell Software's RSWire 3.20 Designer includes a manufacturer's parts database of Allen Bradley parts and Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) development language for integrating third-party software applications. RSWire 3.20 runs within AutoCAD 14.01, allowing for automation and generation of schematic drawings. Using the built-in database of Allen Bradley parts, the program automatically creates a cross reference each time a part or symbol is placed in a schematic, so that files can be generated from the design itself. The user can create a bill of materials from a Microsoft Access database. AutoCAD 14.01 is required and not included with the purchase of RSWire 3.20 Designer.

Hardware: IBM-compatible Pentium PC (90 mHz or faster) with Microsoft 95 or Windows NT (version 3.5 or later).

Developer: Rockwell Software Inc., P.O. Box 351, Milwaukee, WI 52301-0351; (414) 382-2000; fax (414) 321-2211; www.software.rockwell.com.

Cost: $5,095.
Laptop FEM Capability: Release 8 of the LAPCAD finite element pre- and postprocessor offers a model-size capacity of up to one million nodes with six million degrees of freedom. The new release includes extensive layer manipulation and viewing. "Layer bursting" creates a picture index of all layers that make up a model product design, manufacturing methods, process design, packaging, electronics instrumentation, thermal systems and devices, and thermal control.

Hardware: IBM-compatible PC with Windows 95, 98, or NT.

Developer: LAPCAD Engineering Inc., 4883 Ronson Court, Suite P, San Diego, CA 92111; voice/fax (619) 467-1947; http://home.earthlink. net/~lapcad.

Cost: From $495 for 15,000-node version to $4,995 for one million-node version.

CFD for Cooling Electronic Packages Capability: Coolit version 3.00 from Daat Research Corp. predicts airflow and heat transfer in packaged electronic equipment. Once the geometry of a problem is set up (or imported from a CAD file), the finite volume grids and solver are set up automatically, and the solution is computed by pressing the GO button. The program display results in a fully interactive graphics window. Coolit offers live animation of the flow with simultaneous zoom-in and rotation. The user can create components and objects interactively with the mouse or tabular input. In Coolit's hierarchical scheme, components and complex objects retain their individuality after being assembled into a new object. Placing an opening or a fan component on an impermeable component such as a solid block will automatically cause a hole to be drilled in the solid block. A baffle component can be interactively rotated and placed at any angle. Complex objects can have parameters attached to them, allowing for redesigning by changing the parameters.

Hardware: IBM-compatible Pentium PC with Windows 95, 98, or NT.

Developer: Daat Research Corp., P.O. Box 5484, Hanover, NH 03755-5484; (603) 448-1302; fax (603) 448-2941; www.daat.com.

Cost: $12,500 for annual license.

Mixed Measures Capability: The UniSolver scientific calculator for Windows will not only perform conversions between metric and U.S. standard units, but can handle calculations that mix a variety of different systems. For instance, the user can compute in horsepower and pounds-force, and then convert the result to its metric equivalent. UniSolver gives the user a choice between typing the unit abbreviations with the numbers or selecting units from a menu. The program will check for compatibility and tell the user when the units in a calculation are incompatible, or when it cannot recognize the units entered. The on-screen calculator, which runs in Windows 95 and Windows NT, can be downloaded from Delta Engineering Corp.'s Web site for a 30-day free trial. The downloaded program can then be bought over the phone. Delta also sells the program on a 3.5-inch disk.

Hardware: PC running Windows 95 or Windows NT.

Developer:Delta Engineering Corp., 2418 W. Seventh St., Muncie, IN 47302; (765) 286-5601; fax (765) 286-5646; ajordan@deltecsolutions.com; www.delta-eng.com.

Cost: $39.95; $44.95 on disk.

Piping Analysis for Windows Capability: CAEPIPE version 5.0 is the latest version of the industrial piping stress analysis software. CAEPIPE 4 runs in DOS, and version 5 is designed exclusively for Windows NT/95. Version 5 takes advantage of Windows features that include multithreading, memory mapped files, and intelligent repainting. Free evaluation copies can be downloaded from the developer's Web site. CAEPIPE performs static and dynamic analyses of piping systems and checks for code compliance (ASME, B31, Canadian, Swedish, and more) and guidelines (API, NEMA, WRC). An analyst can study the piping system for the effects of weight, pressure, temperature, earthquake, time varying, and harmonic loads, among other stresses. CAEPIPE can import data from major plant design systems, including CADCentre and Intergraph, and export model data to AutoCAD. Other features of version 5.0, which can operate in multiple windows, include dynamic updating so any data change in one window is immediately updated in other open windows.

Hardware: IBM-PC compatible system running Windows 95 or NT.

Developer: SST Systems Inc., 1641 N. First St., Suite 175, San Jose, CA 95112; (408) 452-8111; fax (408) 452-8388; info@sstusa.com; www. sstusa.com.

Cost: $10,800. Stand-alone PC.

Tubes and Hoses Capability: HydraFlo is a simple, straightforward program for calculating pressure drop, velocity, Reynolds numbers, and horsepower in standard tubes and hoses. Included are point-and-click lists for standard sizes, liquids, and oils used in the hydraulics industry. The user can edit the data lists and the liquids database. All functions of the program are shown on one screen.

Hardware: IBM-compatible PC with Windows 3.1, 95, 98, or NT.

Developer: Phelps Software, 12535 Emerald Court, Pineville, NC 28134; (704) 542-3271; johnphelps@worldnet.att.net.

Cost: $39.95.

Rolling Element Bearing Analysis Capability: COBRA-EHL 4.0 (Computer Optimized Ball and Roller Bearing Applications with Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication effects) analyzes up to six bearings on a shaft with radial, thrust, and moment loads. The program computes load sharing, stress, load zone, stiffness, capacity, and fatigue life for ball, roller, tapered, and spherical bearing types with misalignment, offsets, clearance, and preload. Lubrication film thickness and life factor are calculated when lubrication properties are input. For hybrid bearings the program can calculate the appropriate life adjustment factor for the ceramic-to-steel contact. A results preview screen allows sensitivity studies to be run quickly. COBRA-EHL results are valid only for bearing speeds under 1 million DN.

Hardware: IBM-compatible PC, Windows 95, 98, or NT.

Developer: J.V. Poplawski and Associates, 528 N. New St., Bethlehem, PA 18018; (610) 758-9601.

Cost: $1,500. An upgrade allowance is available for users of earlier DOS versions.

Part Adviser Capability: Part Adviser simulation software helps determine the manufacturability of injection-molded plastic parts during preliminary design. When the user positions simulated plastics filling points, or gates, in sections of a part, the software indicates the potential for sink marks and warpage. A clipping plane lets the user view "hidden" sections of the model. An x-y-z rotation axes display, measuring devices, CAD-like dimension tools, and Web-based reports are included. Part Adviser exports MFL files that can be brought into the Dynamic Series Fusion for further analysis and optimization. Fusion results can then be used by Moldflow Plastics Xpert (MPX) software at the injection-molding machine to improve production. Part Adviser is fully integrated with I-DEAS Master Series 6 from SDRC and with solid modeling CAD programs from Parametric Technology, Unigraphics Solutions, Autodesk, Dassault Systemes, SolidWorks, CoCreate Software, and Rand Technologies.

Hardware: PCs (Intel- or Digital Alpha-based) with Windows 95, 98, or NT; Unix workstations from Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Silicon Graphics, and Sun Microsystems.

Developer:Moldflow Corp., 91 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02421; (781) 674-0085; fax (781) 674-0267; www.moldflow.com.

Cost: $4,995.


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