AutoFEM and other CAE systems comparison
( AutoFEM vs Ansys & SolidWorks Simulation )

We are often asked, "Does AutoFEM provide an acceptable precision of calculations? Is there any comparison AutoFEM and other famous finite element software systems?"
Below you can find a comparison of our tutorial examples, solved, besides AutoFEM, in two other well known finite element systems: ANSYS Workbench and SolidWorks Simulation (CosmosWorks).

Linear Static Strength Analysis

The result "Displacements" in AutoFEM Analysis:

The result "Displacements" in SolidWorks Simulation:

The result "Displacements" in Ansys Workbench:

Comparison:

Conclusion:
We can see, the maximal displacements are very close in spite of the difference between finite element meshes.

The result "Stresses von Mises" in AutoFEM Analysis:

The result "Stresses von Mises" in SolidWorks Simulation:

The result "Stresses von Mises" in Ansys Workbench:

Comparison:

Conclusion:
We can see fairly large disturbance in stress estimations between all FEA systems because of the finite element mesh coarseness.

Frequency Analysis (determining resonance frequencies)

First mode, AutoFEM Analysis:

First mode, Ansys WorkBench:

First mode, SolidWorks Simulation:

Fifth mode, AutoFEM Analysis:

Fifth mode, Ansys WorkBench:

Fifth mode, SolidWorks Simulation:

Comparison:

Conclusion:
We can see that frequencies and shapes of modes are very close in all systems.

Buckling Analysis (critical load factor)

First buckling mode, AutoFEM Analysis:

First buckling mode, Ansys WorkBench:

First buckling mode, SolidWorks Simulation:

Third buckling mode, AutoFEM Analysis:

Third buckling mode, Ansys WorkBench:

Third buckling mode, SolidWorks Simulation:

Comparison:

Conclusion:
We can see that all critical-load factors and buckling shapes are very close in all systems.

Thermal Analysis

Temperature field, AutoFEM Analysis:

Temperature field, Ansys WorkBench:

Temperature field, SolidWorks Simulation:

Thermal Flux, AutoFEM Analysis:

Thermal Flux, Ansys WorkBench:

Thermal Flux, SolidWorks Simulation
:

Comparison:

Conclusion: Temperatures and thermal (heat) fluxes are close in all systems.

AutoFEM Analysis Help

Contents

• Introduction
• Lite Limitations
• Fundamentals
  • Mathematical Background of AutoFEM
  • Technical Requirements
  • Structural Organization of AutoFEM
  • Steps of Structural Analysis
• Quick Start
  • Step 1. Preparing Spatial Solid Model of a Part
  • Step 2. Creating Study
  • Step 3. Assigning Material
  • Step 4. Defining Restraints
  • Step 5. Defining Loads
  • Step 6. Running Calculations
  • Step 7. Analysing Calculation Results
• Preparing Finite Element Model for Analysis
  • Types of Finite-Element Model
  • Requirements for 3D Model
  • Study: Creating, Copying, Diagnostics
    • Palette of Studies
    • Set of Objects for FEA
      • Set of Objects for FEA: Options
      • Selecting AutoCAD Objects
      • Working with AutoCAD Layers
      • Working with AutoCAD Blocks
      • Treatment of Errors
    • Creating Study
      • Selecting Study Type
      • Creating Study Based on 3D Solids
      • Creating Study Based on Surface 3D Model
      • Creating Shell Study Based on 3D Solids
      • Assigning Thicknesses
    • Copying Studies
    • Integration with ShipConstructor
    • Diagnostics of Study
      • Multi-volume bodies
      • Non contacting bodies
      • Displaying solids without mesh
      • Intersections of bodies
      • Show contacts between the bodies
      • Checking 3D model geometry
      • Moving to another document
    • General Properties of Studies
    • Settings of Preprocessor Window
  • Mesh
    • Purpose and Role of Meshes
    • Creating Finite-Element Mesh
    • Concentration of FE Mesh
  • Material
    • Assigning Material
    • Creating New Material
    • Creating New Material from Template
    • Anisotropic Materials
    • Temperature Curves
    • S-N Curve
      • S-N Curve on Template
      • S-N Curve Point-to-Point
    • Export / Import of Materials
    • Getting Materials from ShipConstructor
    • Physical Properties
  • Graph Editor
    • Applying Custom Graphs
    • Graph, Based on Point Set
    • Graph, Based on Formula
    • Auxiliary Commands of Graph Editor
  • Defining Boundary Conditions
    • Means of geometry selection
      • Dialogue and Selection Tools
      • Frame Selection Tool
      • Selection of facets
      • Selection of edges
      • Selection in plane
      • Multiple choice of faces
    • Reference Geometry
      • User Coordinate System
    • Mechanical Loads
      • Force
      • Pressure
      • Hydrostatic Pressure
      • Centrifugal Force
      • Gravity
      • Acceleration
      • Bearing Load
      • Torque
      • Torque at Nodes
      • Additional Mass
      • Remote Force
      • Remote Moment
      • Remote Mass
    • Dynamic Conditions
      • Mechanical Oscillator
      • Initial Acceleration
      • Initial Velocity
    • Thermal Loads
      • Heat Flux
      • Heat Power
      • Convection
      • Radiation
      • Thermal Contact
      • Temperatures
        • Initial temperature
        • Temperature
    • Restraints
      • Fixture
      • Plane of Symmetry
      • Contact
      • Elastic Base
      • Remote Displacement
    • Using Symmetry
      • Symmetry of 3D structures
      • Symmetry of shell structures
      • Symmetry in thermal analysis
    • Loads Compendium Table
    • Editing Loads and Restraints
• Study Types
  • Stationary Mechanical Studies
    • Static Analysis
      • Static Analysis Steps
      • Settings of Linear and Nonlinear Statics Processor
      • Recalculating Stresses
      • Strenth Theories. Appendix (references)
    • Fatigue Analysis
      • Fatigue Analysis Steps
      • Results of Fatigue Analysis
      • References on Fatigue Analysis
    • Buckling Analysis
      • Buckling Analysis Steps
      • Settings of Buckling Analysis Processor
  • Dynamic Mechanical Studies
    • Frequency Analysis
      • Frequency Analysis Steps
      • Settings of Frequency Solver
    • Forced Oscillation Analysis
      • Theory Background
      • Specific Pre-Processor Settings
      • Steps of Oscillation Analysis
      • Settings of Oscillation Solver
      • Analysing Results
    • Dynamic Analysis
      • Direct Time Integration
      • Mode Superposition
      • Dynamic Analysis Steps
      • Time Settings
      • Integration Parameters
      • Assigning Initial Conditions
      • Damping of System
      • Thermal Effects
      • Analysing Results
      • Example of Dynamic Analysis
  • Heat Transferring
    • Details of Thermal Analysis Steps
    • Thermal Analysis Settings
    • Examples of Thermal Analysis
• Processing Results (Postprocessing)
  • General Principles of Working with Results
    • Opening Result
    • Working with Result Windows
  • Post-Processor Window Settings
  • Colour Scale Settings
  • Sections
  • Sensors
  • Group of Sensors
  • Graphs
  • Measuring Result Value
    • Reaction Force Value
    • Thermal Power Value
  • Generating Reports
  • Example of Interpreting Result
• Measuring 3D Model
  • Measuring Geometry
  • Distance Between Two Points
  • Distance from Point to Geometry
• Joint work with ShipConstructor software
  • Preparation of the calculation model
  • Settings of integration with ShipConstructor
    • Work with ShipConstructor Materials
    • Work with Hull structures
  • Analysing SC Structures as Solids
    • Creating a set of objects for finite element study
    • Creating the desired study
    • Generating the finite-element mesh
    • Assigning materials
    • Defining constraints/restraints
    • Applying loads
    • Solving the study
    • Studying the results
  • Analysing SC Structures as Shells
    • Example: Analysis of a Vessel Structure
      • Preparation of a library of materials
      • Creating the set of objects
      • Creation of the shell study
      • Construction of a finite-element mesh
      • Study diagnostics. Exclusion of gangling bodies
      • Setup of acceleration (gravity)
      • Setting up fixtures
      • Solving the study
      • Analysis of results
• AutoFEM Commands
  • Command List
  • Hot Keys
• Customization and Utility Commands
• AutoFEM Verification Tests
• AutoFEM Tutorials
• Technical Support
• Copyright

2018 AutoFEM Software LLP. All Rights Reserved.

AutoFEM Community

Small and medium companies and educational institutions as well - all select AutoFEM Analysis for finite element modelling.

Most of our users mark the following benefits:

- easiness of use and learning;

- very attractive prices for perpetual licence;

- integration with AutoCAD and ShipConstructor software.

Testimonials

Borys Sukhanyuk, structural and calculations engineer of Skipskompetance

"I like your program very much. Interface is very nice, logic and very easy to understand and use. All operations are intuitive and easy to perform. Extremly short training time.
I am using AutoFem mostly for check of ShipConstructor structures as well as analysis of solid models where capabilities of beam analysis programs are insufficient.
Analysis can be set up quick and easy."

Volker Junicke, Logistikberatung Dipl.-Ing. (FH)
"Ich bin sehr zufrieden mit der Software. Man muss sich aber Zeit dafür nehmen, um ein gutes Ergebnis zu erzielen und oft viele Experimente durchführen, bis man ein brauchbares Netz erstellt hat."

"I am very satisfied with the software. Though, one must take time to achieve a good result and often perform many experiments until you have created a usable network."

AutoFEM Analysis Processor

The AutoFEM Analysis Processor is the main engine and brain of the system. Its function is the generation and solving systems of algebraic equations which are derived from the finite element discretization. The AutoFEM Analysis Processor has all necessary possibilities for solving linear and non linear equation systems. It uses as direct methods as well iterative methods. When necessary (in case of big systems or weak computer systems), the mode of using the disk storage turns on.

Window of settings for the static analysis solver.

Stages of solving equations and additional background information are displayed in a special information window, which indicates parameters of the finite element mesh (the number of nodes and elements), the method of solving the system of equations (direct or iterative), the order of iteration for non linear system solving, error messages and etc.

AutoFEM Processor window of the system messages.

Upon completion of calculations, a folder containing its results is created in the tree of the study in AutoFEM Palette window. These results are available for view and analysis by means of the AutoFEM Analysis Postprocessor.