Engineering Analysis Consultancy

There is no doubt that good engineering analysis software can make a real contribution to quality and productivity in design. From validating a new design and reducing prototyping time to solving awkward design problems to gain a clearer understanding of the nature of the product's performance, such tools help engineering businesses maintain product quality and a competitive edge.

However, not every engineering company has the necessary resources to undertake all the analysis it may require. For this reason Desktop Engineering offers an analysis consultancy service. Our consulting engineers have the experience and expertise to convert your requirements into practical analysis models and results - quickly and cost-effectively enabling you to get on with the engineering.

Analysis methods

Our engineers can address a wide range of different problem types through the use of finite element analysis (FEA) software. 2D and 3D models are created using a highly advanced graphical pre-processor. Results, too, are presented for maximum clarity.
State of the art meshing and solving processes are used to ensure the validity of the results. Analyses may be coupled to solve multi-physics problems.

Areas for analysis include:

1. Structural analysis, including multiple load cases for a wide range of load types, applied to isotropic, orthotropic, fully anisotropic or composite material definitions. Stresses, strains, reaction forces and critical buckling loads can be predicted and presented in graphical form.
2. Thermal analysis, with loads applied as heat flow, convection, radiation, and internal heat sources. Properties and loads may be temperature and time dependent. Isotropic, orthotropic and temperature dependent material properties are supported, whilst output can include temperatures, temperature gradients and heat flow. Problems with thermoelectric coupling effects can also be considered.
3. Dynamic analysis based on simple natural frequency solutions, which may be an end in themselves, or lead to advanced dynamics simulations investigating the effects of forced vibrations. These include base excitation (including time and frequency dependent forces), shock loading and random vibration. Gaps, friction, and damping can all be included within the model. Outputs include modal time histories, response spectra and frequency response.
4. Non-linear analysis: to a greater or lesser extent, all real life engineering problems are non-linear, and in situations where the non-linearities cannot be ignored a range of specialist solution techniques can be applied. Material non-linearities such as plasticity, hyperelasticity (as observed in rubbers, etc.), viscoelasticity and progressive ply failure in composites can be considered. Large displacements, dynamic effects, contact and a host of other phenomena can also be investigated.
5. Shape Optimisation: Desktop Engineering is able to assist companies optimise designs using powerful computational techniques. Problem geometry can be parametrically defined and then automatically optimised for a range of problem types including dynamics, heat transfer and static stress. This allows solutions to be found for problems such as maximising the rigidity of a structure for a given weight or reducing the peak stresses in a component subject to fatigue loading.
6. Fluid flow analysis, for laminar and turbulent flow, modelled in 2D and 3D flows, for incompressible and mildly compressible fluids.
7. Electromagnetic analysis, predicting electromagnetic and electrostaticfields in and around components.
8. Crack and fracture analysis, establishing design sensitivity and predicting fatigue life.

Typical industrial applications

The benefits or FEA - verifying and optimising designs, reduction in prototyping costs and timescales, performance prediction and failure analysis - can be applied across the whole range of engineering sectors.

At Desktop Engineering, our consultants have already worked for clients involved in the aerospace, automotive, process, marine, mechanical, and civil engineering industries, as well as for government and research projects including the Health and Safety Executive, Joint European Torus and NASA.

By developing a thorough understanding of each design problem, we have been able to propose solutions which offer real cost and time savings. We have also been able to provide confidence in designs which are otherwise difficult to prove, such as the effects of failure in super-cooled components or offshore constructions.

The software used by Desktop Engineering is used extensively throughout industry, and has a proven track record in a broad cross section of industries.

The way we work

Each analysis is handled on a project basis. We start with a discussion with you to determine the nature of the problem, and to agree the aims and goals of the analysis. It is important to start with a clear definition of the project if your expectations are to be met. At this initial discussion, topics to be covered include:

1. What output is required and why?
2. What can realistically be achieved within the timescales and budget?
3. What information is required and available?
4. What assumptions and limitations are acceptable?

From these discussions a project specification is generated and agreed before commencement of the work. At the conclusion of the analysis the results are presented with, where appropriate, advice on how designs could be improved further to address areas of concern highlighted by the results. Our consultants also check the results and feasibility of analyses undertaken internally.

Fixed price

Unlike many consultancies, Desktop Engineering undertakes each project at a fixed price, ensuring you know both the scope and the cost of each analysis before we start the work. We use the most cost effective computing resource for each project, giving you best value for money possible.

Outsourcing

For customers who have a longer term requirement for FEA analysis, but do not feel that it justifies acquiring the technology in house, we can organise an outsourcing arrangement. With this we can streamline the process to reduce the overhead compared to a one off job, lowering the cost and allowing us to work with you as if we were an extension of your own organisation. Internet and Web based tools allow the easy transfer of information, diminishing distance barriers.

For more information, contact the analysis consultancy sales department at Desktop Engineering.