With the release of SolidWorks 2008 now rolled out to customers, Al Dean take a look at what's in store for simulation users.

Every SolidWorks release is a pretty big undertaking - after all, that's what software vendors do isn't it - release more software. While the new user interface, the new direct interaction methodologies and other bright shiny things have clocked up the most column inches, there's plenty of meat to sink your teeth into elsewhere in 2008 - so I'm going to take a quick look at what the simulation and analysis guys can sink their teeth into.

The Analysis Advisor prompts the user for important model information before providing expert suggestions on load/restraint options

A good place to start is with Connectors. These have seen consistent advances over the past few years, as the development team looks to create a series of features to be used within the analysis process that automate a lot of the set-up typically associated with the definition of complex analysis situations. The Bolt Connector is the perfect example. Rather than having to create a series of constraints which replicate the interaction between the bolt, fastener and material it interacts with, the Bolt Connector allows you to define it in a single operation, automatically determining the head/nut diameter for holes created using the Hole Series wizard.

CosmosWorks Designer can now analyse structural members in the chassis using more efficient beam elements.

Moving on, 2008 sees the ability to analyse structural members (framework etc) enhanced, to both follow the updates to the modelling tools and to extend what can be achieved. In In relation to the mirroring modelling updates, the tools now allow you to directly support curved, mirrored and patterned structural members. You can also now add loads/supports on faces in addition to joints and you can mix up your meshes to analyse both thick and thin parts with structural members which, for those working with frameworks combined with sheet metal and other engineering components, will be a major boost as all types of components can be simulated in a single study. Finally, you can now generate Shear force and bending moment diagrams as part of the reporting process.

The bonded contact has been improved to give better results for models with different mesh densities between bonded faces, especially important when using the h-adaptive method.

There's also been work done to assist with design optimisation and to help with getting a greater insight into the behaviour of your products. Using a simple slider, you can have the system cut away at your mesh to remove areas where loading concentrated from the display. Ansys introduced some technology some time ago that actually removed elements from a design based on the same factors and while it was an interesting exploration tool you would always have to remodel anyway, so this does much the same without that overhead. When you move that slider, you'll gain an understanding of where material needs to remain and where material could potentially be removed. In these days of increasing material costs, this could be a really useful tool.