Why to use?
Structural Analysis
Simulate and optimize the structural integrity of components and assemblies under real-world stresses and deformations.
Dynamic Performance
Understand and improve the dynamic response of systems to prevent excessive vibrations and ensure long-term durability.
Acoustic Quality
Analyze and enhance product acoustics for quieter, higher-performing solutions across industries.
Optimization for Innovative Designs
Perform topology and parameter optimizations to explore new, efficient design possibilities.
Key benefits
1. Achieve High-Performance Simulations – Accelerate Computation by 40%
Optimize workflows with a single solver supporting multiple physics domains, reducing the need for multiple tools. Utilize high-performance computing (HPC) for complex modal and dynamic response analyses.
2. Ensure Reliability – Proven Across Industries for 50+ Years
Trusted by aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and heavy machinery sectors for safe and reliable designs. Simulate real-world conditions, from structural integrity to noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
3. Streamline Processes – Unified Solver for Multiphysics Simulations
Perform linear, nonlinear, acoustic, and optimization analyses within one consistent solver environment. Simplify model preparation with consistent input/output formats across solution types.
4. Maximize Flexibility – Scalable Licensing and Integration Options
Deploy standalone or integrated with Simcenter 3D for tailored solutions. Use flexible licensing models, including Simcenter 3D value-based tokens or Simcenter Femap bundles.
Simcenter Nastran and Simcenter 3D are both integral parts of the Simcenter portfolio, but they cater to different aspects of simulation and engineering workflows. Here’s how they differ and complement each other:
Core Purpose
1. Simcenter Nastran:
A solver-focused tool specifically designed for high-performance computation in finite element analysis (FEA). It handles linear and nonlinear structural analysis, structural dynamics, acoustics, optimization, and rotor dynamics. Often used as a backend solver integrated with various pre-/post-processing tools, including Simcenter 3D, or as a standalone FEM solver.
2. Simcenter 3D:
A comprehensive CAE environment that combines pre-processing, post-processing, and simulation within a unified platform. It integrates tools for structural analysis, motion simulation, thermal analysis, multiphysics, and more. Includes multiple solvers (like Nastran, in-house solvers, and third-party compatibility) for full-spectrum simulation workflows.
Capabilities
| Feature | Simcenter Nastran | Simcenter 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | FEM solver for structural, dynamics, and acoustics simulations. | Integrated CAE platform for modeling, simulation, and analysis. |
| Geometry Handling | Relies on pre/post systems for geometry preparation and meshing. | Robust CAD associativity, defeaturing, and meshing tools for efficient model preparation. |
| Simulation Scope | Focused on structural analysis, dynamics, NVH, and optimization. | Covers a broad spectrum: structures, dynamics, multiphysics, motion, acoustics, electromagnetics, and thermal analysis. |
| Optimization | Topology and FE parameter optimization with Nastran solvers. | Integrated design space exploration, including topology optimization with multiple solver options. |
| Integration | Works standalone or with pre/post tools (e.g., Simcenter 3D, Simcenter Femap). | Unified interface integrating pre/post and multiple solvers, including Nastran. |
| Licensing | Standalone licenses or bundles with pre/post tools like Femap or Simcenter 3D. | Value-based token licensing for all modules, including Nastran solver access. |
Use Case Differences
1. When to Use Simcenter Nastran
Solver-Centric Needs: If you already have a pre/post-processing tool (like Simcenter Femap or another CAD-integrated system) and need a high-performance FEM solver for structural analysis, dynamics, or optimization.
Large, Complex Analyses: Scenarios requiring high-performance computing (HPC) for dynamics or NVH.
Standalone Solver Integration: For organizations using multiple pre-/post-processing platforms and requiring a standard, powerful FEM solver.
2. When to Use Simcenter 3D
Unified CAE Workflow: If you want an all-in-one solution for pre-processing, solving, and post-processing across disciplines.
Multiphysics and Complex Interactions: For scenarios requiring tight integration of thermal, motion, electromagnetics, and structural domains.
Flexible Solver Options: If you need access to multiple solvers (Nastran, other third-party solvers like Abaqus or ANSYS) with centralized model preparation and results analysis.
Complementary Usage
Simcenter 3D and Simcenter Nastran are highly complementary:
Simcenter 3D can act as the pre-/post-processing environment for Nastran simulations, streamlining model preparation, meshing, and results analysis.
By integrating Simcenter Nastran within Simcenter 3D, you unlock seamless workflows for advanced multiphysics analyses.
Key Takeaway
Simcenter Nastran: Ideal for users focused on solver performance and specialized FEM analysis in their existing CAE ecosystem.
Simcenter 3D: Best for teams looking for an integrated platform that simplifies simulation workflows across disciplines while offering access to powerful solvers like Nastran.
