Altair Partner Alliance Broadens Impact Analysis Scope with Addition of Crash Cad Calculate

TROY -- The Altair Partner Alliance announced Wednesday that Impact Design Europe has joined the program with its impact analysis tool, Crash Cad Calculate.

CCC assists in the design and optimization of thin-walled cross sections of beams used in the creation of any crashworthy structure. CCC is applicable wherever the energy absorption of beam construction is crucial, including in the automotive, rail, and aerospace industries, among others.

"Joining Altair Partner Alliance is a great opportunity to help our product gain further worldwide exposure," said Agata Abramowicz Sokoll, CEO of Impact Design Europe. "Crash Cad Calculate is a versatile tool that can be applied to any structure that may endure a great impact, which we think will complement the existing crash analysis offering already within the APA."

Based on the macro element method, CCC provides a user-friendly environment for effortless cross-section design, requiring only a few seconds to perform the calculations. It also possesses the capability to edit the material each is made of, and compare the results. CCC comprises five segments: Cross Section Optimizer, Cross Section Editor, Cross Section Comparison Tool, Material Editor and Characteristics Editor.

The Cross Section Optimizer is used to identify the optimal geometry for a given cross-section. The Cross Section Editor performs the necessary analyses to create the best crash performances possible, while using its numerous editing tools to easily modify that geometry. CSE also allows the user to design, calculate and optimize cross sections by yielding results in all six of the necessary categories, including axial response; design recommendations; bending; elastic properties; torsion response; lateral crushing; and denting. The results of these calculations then can be compared using the Cross Section Comparison Tool.

CCC's Material and Characteristics Editors provide detailed definitions of material used in each segment of the cross-section being developed. Each provides five groups of data, including material constraints, stress strain characteristics, strain rate characteristics, hardening factors and fracture indicators. The user also can create a personal material and characteristics library for use in future projects.

"Crash modeling and analysis are increasingly dynamic processes," said Antoine Poussier, Altair Vice President, Global Partner Programs. "Crash Cad Calculate adds to the robust capabilities Altair Partner Alliance provides to clients, and its wide applicability across industries makes it an ideal addition to the product portfolio."

Available for the last 12 years, Altair's innovative units-based licensing system allows HyperWorks users customizable access to a growing portfolio of applications, optimizing their return on investment by making more than 28 in-house-developed applications available by use of a single pool of recyclable HyperWorks units.

After experiencing this original licensing model's success, Altair has offered the opportunity for third-party companies to run their own applications under this unit-based system, a collaboration now known as the Altair Partner Alliance. The overall flexibility of these HWUs empowers users and allows them access to the largest and most complete suite of CAE applications available, making the benefits to participating HyperWorks customers infinite. The ROI increases for users each time a new application is added to the offering, since any of the partner programs can be accessed using the same leased HWUs they are already using to run HyperWorks. This makes more than 55 additional applications available at no incremental cost or long-term commitment.

HyperWorks users can download Crash Cad Calculate at www.altairalliance.com/impactdesign. To learn more about Impact Design or CCC, please attend one of the introductory webinars, being held on May 23 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eastern time. These webinars will be hosted by Altair and presented by Impact Design.

Impact Design Europe was established in 1990 by Wlodek Abramowicz, who had a vision to allow his employees to live in balance between work and private life. The company was created and managed using the concept of the Virtual Office where the team works in the comfort of their own homes but in close contact with each other. This method not only allows for cost savings but also helps the team continue to be more productive and maintain their work life balance. Abramowicz led the company until recently when his daughter, Agata Abramowicz Sokoll, took it over in February of 2012.

Impact Design Europe specializes in development of unique CAE software, Crash Cad Calculate, for design and optimization of thin-walled cross sections of beams, and Visual Crash Studio, which was created for design and analysis of crashworthy structures. Both tools are based on the macro element methodology, and are especially useful at early stages of the design process when fast assessment of various structural configurations substantially speeds up the product development process.

Privately held, with more than 1,800 employees, Altair has offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. With a 27-year-plus track record for high-end software for engineering and computing, enterprise analytics solutions, and innovative product design and development, Altair consistently delivers a competitive advantage to customers in a broad range of industries. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com or www.simulatetoinnovate.com.