Granta Design is releasing CES Selector 2010, the latest version of the company's software for helping engineering enterprises make important decisions about materials and processes during product design. New features also make it easier for materials producers to analyse options during development and to market their products.
CES Selector combines comprehensive data on the properties of materials with powerful graphical software for analysis and selection. Designers, engineers and materials experts can explore materials and process options to make and justify rational, auditable selection and substitution decisions. In addition, materials producers can analyse and position their products. CES Selector is particularly valuable in balancing competing engineering, economic and environmental objectives.
A new Hybrid Synthesizer add-on tool enables the properties of hybrid materials and systems (such as sandwich panels, foams, lattices and composites) to be predicted, thereby driving innovative design. Clear graphical property maps make it easy to compare these materials with other options. Designers can investigate and demonstrate the benefits of hybrid structures, targeting development of lightweight products.
This new release also sees enhancements to CES Selector's core materials property graphing and selection tools. Instant comparisons can be made between the user's own materials and those in Granta's extensive Materialuniverse data module that contains complete engineering, economic and property information for over 3000 materials. This drives materials development, helps position materials for marketing, and gives clear guidance on materials options.
CES Selector offers a range of supporting data modules that contain property, supplier and processing information on tens of thousands of materials, including metals, alloys, plastics and composites. Specialist data modules include the latest versions of the well known Campus and Ides plastics. New links from the Materialuniverse data module inform the transition from a generic materials selection process to a specific purchasable grade. The Materialuniverse has also been reviewed, updated, and expanded. Over 250 materials commonly used as the core in sandwich panels are referenced, aiding lightweight design. Updated material cost data accurately includes economic factors, while environmental properties encourage design that meets environmental objectives.
Dr Patrick Coulter, the chief operating officer at Granta, comments: "The enhancements in the latest version of CES Selector strengthen core capabilities and offer some powerful innovations. We are particularly excited by the inclusion of lightweight design tools which encourage creative design that meets environmental objectives while minimising cost and risk."
For more information, visit www.grantadesign.com
