💥💥💥 What are capabilities in PrePoMAX ?

PrePoMAX is an open-source pre and post-processor for the Calculix FEM solver based on a modern user interface to speed up the FEM workflow¹. It allows you to import, mesh, define and visualize FEM features using the Calculix solver. It supports various CAD formats, meshing methods, feature definitions and result formats².

Some of the capabilities of PrePoMAX are:

• CAD geometry support: PrePoMAX allows you to import the geometry from a variety of exchangeable CAD formats and stereolithography .stl files used for 3D printing. The CAD support is based on the open-source Open Cascade platform¹.
• Solid and shell geometry meshing: PrePoMAX allows you to mesh a solid or a shell-based geometry using linear and parabolic finite elements. It also supports an import of the finite element mesh from a file. An open-source Netgen library performs the meshing. From version 2.0.0 the Gmsh mesher is integrated which supports hexahedral and pentahedral meshing¹.
• Geometry and mesh based feature definitions: PrePoMAX allows you to create node sets, element sets and surfaces needed for various FEM features based on geometry or finite element mesh selection¹.
• Results visualization: PrePoMAX allows you to visualize your results using 3D scalar fields or using a 2D plotting tool for the representation of history outputs¹.

If you want to learn more about PrePoMAX, you can visit their official website¹ or watch some tutorial videos². You can also download the latest versions of PrePoMAX, the sample models, the meshers and the solver from their download page³.

¹: https://prepomax.fs.um.si/ ²: https://prepomax.fs.um.si/downloads/ ³: https://polskiprzemysl.com.pl/cam-cad-cae/darmowy-program-do-analiz-mes/

Can I use PrePoMAX for 2D analysis?

Yes, you can use PrePoMAX for 2D analysis. PrePoMAX supports various 2D finite element types, such as plane stress, plane strain, axisymmetric, and membrane elements¹. You can also import 2D CAD geometry or mesh files and define the analysis features based on them¹.

To perform a 2D analysis in PrePoMAX, you need to follow these steps²:

• Create a new model and select a 2D model space and unit system.
• Import or create a 2D geometry for the analysis.
• Set the mesh parameters and generate a 2D mesh.
• Define the material properties and assign them to the geometry or mesh.
• Define the analysis step type and the output requests.
• Define the constraints, interactions, initial conditions, boundary conditions, and loads for the analysis.
• Run the analysis and view the results.

You can watch this video tutorial³ to see an example of a 2D analysis of heat transfer in a double-pane window using PrePoMAX.

¹: PrePoMax 1.2.1 Manual - UM ²: PrePoMax ³: PrePoMax (CalculiX FEA) - Tutorial 22 - 2D analysis of heat transfer in a double-pane window - YouTube

What is Calculix FEM solver?

Calculix FEM solver is a free and open-source software that can perform linear and non-linear finite element analysis of various physical problems. It can handle static, dynamic, and thermal simulations, as well as eigenvalue and frequency analysis. It uses an input format similar to Abaqus, a commercial FEM software¹.

Calculix FEM solver consists of two main components: CCX, which is the solver written by Guido Dhondt, and CGX, which is the pre- and post-processor written by Klaus Wittig. Both programs can be used independently or together, and they run on Unix platforms like Linux and Irix, as well as on MS-Windows¹.

Calculix FEM solver can be used with various CAD and meshing tools, such as PrePoMAX, which is an open-source pre and post-processor for Calculix FEM solver based on a modern user interface². You can also use external CAD interfaces to import geometry from different formats¹.

If you want to learn more about Calculix FEM solver, you can visit their official website¹ or watch some tutorial videos³. You can also download the latest versions of Calculix FEM solver, the sample models, the meshers and the solver from their download page.

¹: http://www.calculix.de/ ²: https://prepomax.fs.um.si/ ³: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxw0xYfZ9Q7J5wQ1Q6X0y6g : http://www.dhondt.de/cgx_2.21.zip

What are difference between Calculix FEM solver and Ansys Mechanical ?

Calculix FEM solver and Ansys Mechanical are both software tools that can perform finite element analysis (FEA) of various physical problems. However, there are some differences between them in terms of features, capabilities, and costs.

Some of the main differences are:

• Calculix FEM solver is a free and open-source software, while Ansys Mechanical is a commercial and proprietary software. This means that Calculix FEM solver can be used and modified by anyone without any license fees, while Ansys Mechanical requires a paid license to use and has restricted access to its source code¹².
• Calculix FEM solver uses an input format similar to Abaqus, another commercial FEM software, while Ansys Mechanical uses its own input format. This means that Calculix FEM solver can be compatible with Abaqus models and data, while Ansys Mechanical may require some conversion or translation¹³.
• Calculix FEM solver consists of two main components: CCX, which is the solver, and CGX, which is the pre- and post-processor. Ansys Mechanical, on the other hand, is integrated with Ansys Workbench, which is a platform that provides various tools for modeling, meshing, solving, and post-processing. This means that Calculix FEM solver may require some additional software or tools to perform certain tasks, while Ansys Mechanical offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly environment¹³.
• Calculix FEM solver supports both implicit and explicit solvers, while Ansys Mechanical only supports implicit solvers. This means that Calculix FEM solver can handle dynamic problems that involve large deformations, contact, or impact, while Ansys Mechanical may not be suitable for such problems¹³.
• Calculix FEM solver has limited support for shell elements, which are often used to model thin structures. Ansys Mechanical, on the other hand, has more robust and advanced features for shell elements, such as composite layers, nonlinear material models, and failure criteria¹⁴.

These are some of the main differences between Calculix FEM solver and Ansys Mechanical. However, both software tools have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use may depend on the specific problem, the available resources, and the user’s preference.

¹: https://www.reddit.com/r/fea/comments/abx3xd/comparing_calculix_vs_comercial_solvers_help/ ²: https://www.simscale.com/blog/how-to-choose-solvers-for-fem/ ³: https://forum.ansys.com/forums/topic/solver-workbench-mechanical-vs-fluent/ ⁴: https://calculix.discourse.group/t/difference-between-ansys-and-calculix/506

What are prons and cons between Ansys Workbench and Calculix ?

Ansys Workbench and Calculix are both software tools that can perform finite element analysis (FEA) of various physical problems. However, there are some pros and cons between them in terms of features, capabilities, and costs.

Some of the pros and cons are:

• Ansys Workbench is a commercial and proprietary software, while Calculix is a free and open-source software. This means that Ansys Workbench may have more technical support, documentation, and updates, but it also requires a paid license to use and has restricted access to its source code. Calculix, on the other hand, can be used and modified by anyone without any license fees, but it may have less support, documentation, and updates¹².
• Ansys Workbench uses its own input format, while Calculix uses an input format similar to Abaqus, another commercial FEM software. This means that Ansys Workbench may have more user-friendly and intuitive features, but it also may require some conversion or translation for models and data from other software. Calculix, on the other hand, can be compatible with Abaqus models and data, but it may have less user-friendly and intuitive features¹³.
• Ansys Workbench is integrated with Ansys Workbench, which is a platform that provides various tools for modeling, meshing, solving, and post-processing. Calculix consists of two main components: CCX, which is the solver, and CGX, which is the pre- and post-processor. This means that Ansys Workbench may offer a more comprehensive and seamless environment, but it also may have more dependencies and limitations. Calculix, on the other hand, can be used independently or together, and it can also be used with various CAD and meshing tools, such as PrePoMAX, which is an open-source pre and post-processor for Calculix¹³⁴.
• Ansys Workbench only supports implicit solvers, while Calculix supports both implicit and explicit solvers. This means that Ansys Workbench may have more robust and stable solutions, but it also may not be suitable for dynamic problems that involve large deformations, contact, or impact. Calculix, on the other hand, can handle such problems, but it may have less robust and stable solutions¹³.
• Ansys Workbench has more robust and advanced features for shell elements, which are often used to model thin structures, such as composite layers, nonlinear material models, and failure criteria. Calculix has limited support for shell elements, and it may replace them with one layer of first or second order solids. This means that Ansys Workbench may have more accurate and realistic results, but it also may have more complex and time-consuming models. Calculix, on the other hand, can have simpler and faster models, but it may have less accurate and realistic results¹⁴.

These are some of the pros and cons between Ansys Workbench and Calculix. However, both software tools have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use may depend on the specific problem, the available resources, and the user’s preference. 

¹: https://www.reddit.com/r/fea/comments/abx3xd/comparing_calculix_vs_comercial_solvers_help/ ²: https://www.simscale.com/blog/how-to-choose-solvers-for-fem/ ³: https://forum.ansys.com/forums/topic/solver-workbench-mechanical-vs-fluent/ ⁴: https://calculix.discourse.group/t/difference-between-ansys-and-calculix/506