New version of the ESI welding and heat treatment simulation tool offers faster processing and knowledge database.ESI Group, a leading provider of virtual prototyping solutions, today announced the release of SYSWELD 2000. The software enables users to build a compute model, simulate the heat treating process, and evaluate the influence of the process on parts lifetime. It is uniquely suited to simulate continuous welding, resistance welding, quenching, induction hardening, thermo-chemical treatment and surface treatment.

SYSWELD 2000 new database of engineering know-how guides the users to realistic welding and heat treatment process simulation.

Other major enhancements include, improved case hardening simulation, steady state welding process, and faster solvers for Compaq, HP, and SGI platforms.

According to Dr.Ludwig Sporer, Manager of the operating strength testing chassis, BMW, 'SYSWELD gives good results on distortions and residual stresses, very close to real measurements on the part.

With the virtual prediction of distortions and residual stresses of the welded part, we can now optimize the welding process in the early stage of prototyping.' SYSWELD 2000 includes a large database of engineering expertise that supports the user through real welding and heat treatment process simulation.

This unique knowledge database will help users save time for setting-up welding and heat treatment simulations, and ultimately reduce the time to market by optimizing the quality of the parts.

Improved case hardening simulation allows users to decrease process cost and overdesign, respectively taking care of lifetime and noise reduction constraints.

SYSWELD 2000 helped reduce the necessary case hardening time by a factor of 3 still keeping the limits of distortion for a gearbox component.

The steady state welding process computation facilities have been enhanced.

A steady state welding computation enables users to predict, within one computation step, all necessary data, such as temperature field, phase distributions, distortions and residual stresses.

SYSWELD 2000 allows selected parts, within arbitrary structures to be declared as stationary area, providing faster distortion prediction.

In addition to the SGI solver, new fast solvers for Compaq and HP platforms are now available.

Optimized solvers provided by hardware vendors speed up computation time by a factor 10, compare to hardware independent equation solvers.

Nonlinear computations options have been improved, reducing drastically simulation cost.

Due to code optimization, the global performance of version 2000 has been improved by a factor 2.

SYSWELD is available on PC (Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000) and on UNIX workstations from Compaq, HP, IBM, SGI, and SUN.

Pioneer of virtual prototype testing software, ESI Group is a leading provider of simulation solutions that enhance product design and manufacturing process.

ESI Group's collaborative software enable engineers to simulate realistic product behavior under test and their impact on the environment, as well as manufacturing processes such as stamping, casting, and welding.

As engineers are able to explore more alternatives without having to build and destroy multiple physical prototypes, ESI Group's virtual prototype testing software help manufacturers to reduce development costs and time to market.

A publicly held company, ESI Group employs about 300 professionals worldwide.

ESI Group and the global network of agents provide sales and technical support to customers in more than 30 countries.