Dassault Systemes Announces ABAQUS for CATIA V5 Version 2.3; New Release Improves Enterprise Collaboration in Evaluating Product Performance

Integrated within the CATIA V5 Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)solution from Dassault Systemes, the latest software product from theSIMULIA brand improves the deployment of high-value analysis workflowsand advanced simulation technology across product developmentorganizations in a wide range of industries, including groundvehicles, aerospace and defense, biomedical, and others.

Version 2.3 of ABAQUS for CATIA V5 takes advantage of the latesttechnology advances in ABAQUS Version 6.6 and CATIA V5 R16 to deepenits capabilities, with particular emphasis on new enhancements incontact modeling, connections, and usability.

The tight integration of ABAQUS with CATIA enables advancedmethods developed and validated by ABAQUS specialists to be deployedto the enterprise as proven analysis workflows. The software enablesboth design engineers and analysis specialists to use the same FEAmethods and models within CATIA V5, ensuring repeatability andaccuracy. The latest product release builds on the SIMULIA strategy ofproviding scalable simulation solutions and an open framework forperforming multidisciplinary analysis within the PLM process.

"The new release of ABAQUS for CATIA V5 enhances the accessibilityof powerful FEA methods and capabilities within the CATIA V5 PLMenvironment," says Marc Schrank, director of product management forABAQUS. "This PLM integrated solution enables our customers to defineand deploy proven analysis methods so that design engineers andanalysts are able to collaborate on evaluating realistic behavior oftheir products. It allows companies to do more simulation earlier inthe product development process, leading to lower development costsand improved quality of their products."

A number of ABAQUS customers, including companies such as ToyotaMotor Company, Honda, Boeing, and PSA Peugeot Citroen, specify andevaluate new features for ABAQUS for CATIA V5 software as members ofthe AFC Customer Review Team. Improvements to Version 2.3 of ABAQUSfor CATIA V5 focus on providing immediate benefits in productionenvironments. New capabilities in the software include:

-- Support of ABAQUS Version 6.6. Takes advantage of complete functionality of ABAQUS/Standard solver capabilities, including contact enhancements and performance improvements.

-- Spot, seam, and surface weld modeling. Leverages the weld modeling functionality of CATIA V5 to enable rapid definition of a large number of rigid or flexible connections. New capabilities and improvements account for spot, seam, and surface welds. Connection locations can be independent of the underlying mesh, which reduces model size and complexity of the meshing requirements. Combined with ABAQUS contact capabilities and the ability to simulate large deformation, the new weld features make ABAQUS for CATIA V5 an attractive analysis tool for airframe and automotive body modeling.

-- ABAQUS continuum shell technology. Enables the modeling of shell structures with continuum shell elements, which permits the use of the actual CAD geometry of the structure rather than determining an approximate midplane and appropriate offsets of adjoining components. This approach simplifies modeling and improves accuracy of simulations involving contact.

-- Contact enhancements. Takes advantage of ABAQUS Version 6.6 contact capabilities, including the ability to model applications involving large sliding between parts, using the surface-to-surface formulation. Usability enhancements include the ability to view some or all of the parts in a complex contact analysis, which can assist in confirming the selection of contact surfaces.

For more information visit: www.simulia.com.

About SIMULIA

In 2005, Dassault Systemes acquired ABAQUS, Inc. and announcedSIMULIA, the brand that encompasses all DS simulation solutions,including ABAQUS and CATIA analysis applications. SIMULIA provides ascalable portfolio of simulation solutions, as well as an openplatform to support integration of multidisciplinary analysis with itsindustry leading partners. By building on established technology,respected quality, and superior customer service, SIMULIA makesrealistic simulation an integral business practice that enablesengineers and scientists to improve product performance, eliminatephysical prototypes, and drive innovation. Headquartered inProvidence, RI, USA, with R&D centers in Providence and in Suresnes,France, the SIMULIA brand provides global sales, services, and supportthrough a network of more than 29 regional ABAQUS offices anddistributors.

About Dassault Systemes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)solutions, the Dassault Systemes group brings value to more than90,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software marketsince 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM applicationsoftware and services that support industrial processes and provide a3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception tomaintenance. The Dassault Systemes portfolio consists of CATIA fordesigning the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design -DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIAfor global collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM,ENOVIA MatrixOne and ENOVIA SmarTeam. Dassault Systemes is listed onthe Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stockexchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and SolidWorks are registeredtrademarks of Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries in the US and/orother countries.