How often do you touch this model once you are finished with it?
Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. We have clients that use us to keep their models up-to-date, in that case we revise them whenever the need arises. Other clients prefer to maintain their own files, in which case we may never see the files again. During the project cycle (2 months to 2 years) we manipulate the models everyday.
The parts you model are they standard parts? tubing, C channels I-Beams, ECT.
Those are "standard" shapes, but we build them parametrically when needed. We don't keep a library of standard "blocks" for those elements.
After each time you change the Autocad model do you have to reload and re mesh your model back into your FEA package? Or do you only do it once?
Usually we do a very preliminary FEA model for preliminary sizing. The, due to the rapid development of the design phase, we use the CAD model to track changes as they occur and reserve a final run for later in the project. At that time we have the software re-create the FEA model.
I never said it could not be done. I think there is software out there that is quicker and better for modeling 3D than Autocad.
not for the price, availability, compatibility, flexibility and user base.
With over 300 users, cost is a real concern. A difference of just a few hundred dollars per seat becomes a major capital expenditure very fast.
Our product is based on the most popular (right or wrong) CAD software on the market, and as such is vastly more compatible with a wider range of contractors and clients.
Even the smallest local college offers classes in AutoCAD. When we had need of additional operators, it is MUCH easier to fill that need than if we were using a different software.
As for quicker, I can only say that the only competitor we had in this area that used I-Dea could not produce the desired results in the time frame required. After several years of attempting to keep p, they finally folded up their tents and moved on. Their problem may have been lack of experience with the software or poor training or the cost of the software limited they user base, I don't know. About a dozen of the guys that worked for them came to work for us, and after some re-training have worked out quite nicely.
