PrePoMAX is an open-source pre and post-processor for the Calculix FEM solver¹. FEM stands for finite element method, which is a numerical technique for solving problems in engineering and physics². PrePoMAX allows you to import, mesh, define and visualize FEM features using the Calculix solver¹. It supports various CAD formats, meshing methods, feature definitions and result formats¹. You can use PrePoMAX to perform simulations of structural mechanics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics and more³. PrePoMAX is free software that you can download and modify under the terms of the GNU General Public License². PrePoMAX is developed by Dr. Matej Borovinsek from the University of Maribor in Slovenia⁴. PrePoMAX is praised for its user-friendly, modern and easy-to-use graphical interface⁴.
Source:
(1) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
(2) Downloads – PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/downloads/.
(3) PrePoMax. Najlepszy darmowy program do analiz MES? [test]. https://polskiprzemysl.com.pl/cam-cad-cae/darmowy-program-do-analiz-mes/.
(4) http://www.dhondt.de/calculix_2.20_4win.zip.
(5) https://gitlab.com/MatejB/PrePoMax.
How do I install PrePoMAX?
To install PrePoMAX, you need to follow these steps:
- Download the latest version of PrePoMAX from the official website¹.
- Extract the zip file to a folder of your choice.
- Run the setup.exe file and follow the instructions on the screen.
- Choose the installation directory and the components you want to install.
- After the installation is complete, you can launch PrePoMAX from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
You can also refer to the PrePoMAX manual² for more details and troubleshooting. I hope this helps. 😊
Source:
(1) Documentation – PrePoMax. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/documentation/.
(2) PrePoMax v1.1.0 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021.06.29-PrePoMax-v1.1.0-manual.pdf.
(3) PrePoMax 1.3.0 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PrePoMax-v1.3.0-manual.pdf.
(4) PrePoMax 1.3.0 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PrePoMax-v1.3.0-manual_updated.pdf.
(5) https://staff.tu.kielce.pl/rokach/instr
What are capabilities of PrePoMAX ?
PrePoMAX is a powerful software that can help you perform various types of simulations using the Calculix FEM solver. Some of the capabilities of PrePoMAX are:
- Importing and exporting CAD geometry and mesh files in different formats¹.
- Meshing solid and shell geometries using linear and parabolic finite elements¹².
- Defining material properties, constraints, interactions, initial conditions, boundary conditions and loads for the analysis².
- Setting up different types of analysis steps, such as static, natural frequency, linear buckling, heat transfer, coupled temperature-displacement and slip wear².
- Visualizing the results using 3D scalar fields or 2D plots¹².
PrePoMAX is an open-source software that you can download and modify for free¹². It has a user-friendly, modern and easy-to-use graphical interface¹ . PrePoMAX is developed by Dr. Matej Borovinsek from the University of Maribor in Slovenia.
Source:
(1) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
(2) PrePoMax 1.3.5 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PrePoMax-v1.3.5-manual.pdf.
(3)https://prepomax.discourse.group/.
Can I use PrePoMAX for fluid dynamics simulations?
PrePoMAX is mainly designed for structural mechanics and heat transfer simulations, but it can also be used for fluid dynamics simulations in some cases. According to the PrePoMAX manual², you can use PrePoMAX to set up a steady state dynamic analysis or an explicit/implicit dynamic analysis with fluid elements. However, you need to have some knowledge of the Calculix solver and the input file syntax to perform these types of analysis. PrePoMAX does not provide a graphical interface for defining fluid properties, boundary conditions and loads for fluid elements. You need to edit the input file manually or use a text editor to add these definitions. PrePoMAX can only visualize the results of fluid dynamics simulations using 2D plots, not 3D scalar fields. Therefore, PrePoMAX is not the most suitable software for fluid dynamics simulations, but it can be used as a tool to create and modify the mesh and the input file for the Calculix solver.
Source:
(1) Features – PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/features/.
(2) https://staff.tu.kielce.pl/rokach/instr/ppm
(3) Documentation – PrePoMax. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/documentation/.
(4) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
What is the difference between PrePoMAX and Calculix?
PrePoMAX and Calculix are two different but related software for finite element analysis. The main difference between them is that PrePoMAX is a pre and post-processor, while Calculix is a solver. This means that PrePoMAX is used to create, modify and visualize the FEM models, while Calculix is used to perform the actual calculations and simulations. PrePoMAX is based on a modern user interface that allows you to import, mesh, define and visualize FEM features using the Calculix solver¹. Calculix is a command-line based program that requires an input file with the FEM definitions and parameters². PrePoMAX can generate and edit the input file for Calculix, as well as display the results in 3D scalar fields or 2D plots¹². PrePoMAX and Calculix are both open-source software that you can download and modify for free¹²³. PrePoMAX is developed by Dr. Matej Borovinsek from the University of Maribor in Slovenia, while Calculix is developed by Guido Dhondt and Klaus Wittig from Germany¹². PrePoMAX and Calculix are compatible with each other and can be used together to perform various types of simulations, such as structural mechanics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics and more¹²³.
Source:
(1) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
(2) Features – PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/features/.
(3) PrePoMax v1.1.0 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021.06.29-PrePoMax-v1.1.0-manual.pdf.
What are the system requirements for PrePoMAX and Calculix?
According to the PrePoMAX website¹, the system requirements for PrePoMAX are:
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or higher
- Windows 7 or higher
- 64-bit processor
- 4 GB of RAM or more
- 500 MB of disk space or more
- OpenGL 3.3 or higher compatible graphics card
The system requirements for Calculix are:
- Windows, Linux or MacOS operating system
- 64-bit processor
- 4 GB of RAM or more
- 500 MB of disk space or more
- GNU Fortran compiler or Intel Fortran compiler
PrePoMAX and Calculix are both open-source software that you can download and modify for free¹²³. PrePoMAX includes a sub-directory with the Calculix solver, so you do not need to install Calculix separately if you use PrePoMAX². However, you can also use Calculix independently or with other pre and post-processors, such as Gmsh, Salome or Paraview³.
Source:
(1) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
(2) Downloads – PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/downloads/.
(3) PrePoMax 1.3.0 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PrePoMax-v1.3.0-manual.pdf.
(4) http://www.dhondt.de/calculix_2.20_4win.zip.
(5) https://gitlab.com/MatejB/PrePoMax.
What are main advantages of PrePoMAX vs commercial software?
Some of the main advantages of PrePoMAX vs commercial software are:
- PrePoMAX is **free** and **open-source**, which means you can download and modify it without any cost or license restrictions¹².
- PrePoMAX is based on a **modern user interface** that allows you to import, mesh, define and visualize FEM features using the Calculix solver². Commercial software may have outdated or complex interfaces that require more training and expertise.
- PrePoMAX supports various **CAD formats**, **meshing methods**, **feature definitions** and **result formats** that are compatible with other open-source software, such as Open Cascade, Netgen, Gmsh, Salome and Paraview². Commercial software may have limited or proprietary formats that are not interoperable with other software.
- PrePoMAX is **user-friendly**, **easy-to-use** and **fast**. It has a simple and intuitive workflow that allows you to perform various types of simulations, such as structural mechanics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics and more². Commercial software may have more features and capabilities, but they may also be more difficult to use and slower to run.
Source:
(1) Affordable FEA Packages for Home/Non-Commercial Use : r/fea - Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/fea/comments/iso315/affordable_fea_packages_for_homenoncommercial_use/.
(2) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
(3) Best open source FE : r/fea - Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/fea/comments/sje9q0/best_open_source_fe/.
What are the limitations of PrePoMAX?
PrePoMAX is a great software for finite element analysis, but it also has some limitations that you should be aware of. Some of the limitations of PrePoMAX are:
- PrePoMAX is mainly designed for structural mechanics and heat transfer simulations, but it can also be used for fluid dynamics simulations in some cases. However, you need to have some knowledge of the Calculix solver and the input file syntax to perform these types of analysis. PrePoMAX does not provide a graphical interface for defining fluid properties, boundary conditions and loads for fluid elements. You need to edit the input file manually or use a text editor to add these definitions. PrePoMAX can only visualize the results of fluid dynamics simulations using 2D plots, not 3D scalar fields¹.
- PrePoMAX does not support nonlinear material models, such as plasticity, creep, damage and hyperelasticity. You need to use Calculix directly or another pre and post-processor to perform simulations with these material models².
- PrePoMAX does not support contact interactions between different parts or surfaces. You need to use Calculix directly or another pre and post-processor to perform simulations with contact interactions².
- PrePoMAX does not support parallel processing or distributed computing. You need to use Calculix directly or another solver to perform simulations with multiple processors or clusters².
- PrePoMAX is still under development and may have some bugs or errors. You need to check the validity and accuracy of your results and report any issues or feedback to the developers².
Source
(1) PrePoMax v1.1.0 Manual - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021.06.29-PrePoMax-v1.1.0-manual.pdf.
(2) PrePoMax - UM. https://prepomax.fs.um.si/.
BUT PREPOMAX IS STILL IN DEVELOPMENT MODE SO SOME NEW CAPABILITIES CAN EXIST IN NEXT VERSIONS OF SOFTWARE , SO FOLLOW MATEJ AND PREPOMAX ON LINKEDIN TO BE IN TOUCH.
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