COSMOS Announces COSMOSDesignSTAR 4.5; New Release Supports Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, SolidWorks and CATIA; Adds 3D Nonlinear Contact Analysis.

LOS ANGELES -- COSMOS(TM) today announced the release of COSMOSDesignSTAR(TM) Version 4.5, which includes 3D nonlinear contact analysis, support for motion controllers from 3Dconnexion, support for the XML material library format, and analysis support for the newest versions of Solid Edge(R), Autodesk(R) Inventor, SolidWorks(R), and CATIA(R).

The new availability of 3D nonlinear contact analysis eliminates limitations caused by using static studies to solve contact problems, and provides users with a number of benefits.

"Engineers can now easily solve problems that require analysis of material nonlinearity coupled with contact -- such as an O-ring seal simulation -- within the COSMOSDesignSTAR interface," says Ramesh Ramalingam, Product Manager for COSMOS. "With reference to the same example, users can simulate the hyper-elastic behavior of the O-ring as it becomes compressed upon contact with bearing surfaces."

The new release of COSMOSDesignSTAR has a thermostat mechanism that can control all heat, power, and heat flux assignments for transient thermal analyses, and users can employ multiple thermostats at different locations. In addition, the new version enables engineers to apply different initial temperatures to different components in an assembly when performing transient thermal analyses.

COSMOSDesignSTAR 4.5 supports the popular motion controllers CadMan(R), SpaceBall(R), SpaceMouse(R), and SpaceTraveler(TM) from 3Dconnexion. The controllers operate together with a traditional mouse to provide a very ergonomic and intuitive way to work with 3D geometry. Instead of using a "normal" mouse with one hand as an input device for all activities -- including zoom, pan, rotate, select, and click on icons and menus -- users of 3Dconnexion's motion controllers can use one hand to move and rotate the part or assembly, and see CAD models and analysis results from all sides and angles, while using the other hand to perform all the normal selection tasks with the mouse.

The new release also features a Task Scheduler, designed to make it easier to run COSMOSDesignSTAR studies in batch model. The new utility makes it possible for users to schedule the meshing and analysis of up to 10 models. The Task Scheduler enables engineers to run all defined studies, or any specified one, either immediately or on a delayed basis.

Sara Phillips, mechanical project engineer, EMS Wireless, Norcross, Ga., has used COSMOSDesignSTAR in designing transmission antennae for cellular phone service. She and her team performed linear static, natural frequency and linear heat transfer analyses.

"COSMOSDesignSTAR met our needs in each of these areas," says Phillips.

In particular, she says that the software helped the designers to optimize wall thickness as well as cross-sectional areas at the corners of the structure to make certain that the entire structure would support the wind load.

"It was especially important to do 'what if' analyses on this model," she says. "When COSMOS results show that we have a good model, we have confidence in the design. And, by the time we develop the actual product, we're certain the piece is robust."

COSMOSDesignSTAR helps design engineers and expert analysts alike detect potential design problems quickly and correct them before beginning prototype production, saving companies the time and expense of post-production fixes. By conducting multiple "what if" studies, design engineers can determine the reliability of their designs quickly, shorten design review cycles, and reduce the number of physical prototypes that need to be tested. COSMOSDesignSTAR is currently in use in some 2,000 companies.

COSMOSDesignSTAR now supports Solid Edge Versions 15 and 16, Autodesk Inventor Versions 8 and 9, SolidWorks 2005, CATIA V5, Rev. 2-13 (*.CATProduct and *.CATPart). COSMOSDesignSTAR also supports Parasolid(R) up to version 16, ACIS(R) up to Rev. 13, and other CAD formats via STEP and IGES.

Jack Van Heest of Aromech, Inc., Holland, Mich., design consultants who use SolidWorks, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, Pro/Engineer, and Unigraphics CAD systems, says that he uses COSMOSDesignSTAR because, "it's very flexible, works with all the CAD programs our customers require us to use, and can handle many different kinds of problems."

About COSMOS

COSMOS solutions have been chosen by over 12,000 companies worldwide, believed to make COSMOS the most widely used finite element analysis (FEA) software in the world. The company, formerly known as Structural Research & Analysis Corporation, is an affiliate of Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq:DASTY) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA). COSMOS software offers computer aided engineering (CAE) solutions ranging from simple stress and displacement tests to more complex analyses including impact testing, nonlinear, dynamic response, and fatigue simulation. COSMOS has been a leading developer and innovator of FEA, optimization, and simulation software products since 1982. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (www.cosmosm.com) or call [phone].

COSMOS and COSMOSDesignSTAR are trademarks of Structural Research and Analysis Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2004 COSMOS.