Granta Design announced the release of CES Selector 2013, a new version of its PC-based software for materials decision support. According to the company, the solution includes new tools help those seeking similar or replacement materials across the full range of plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites, and new capabilities for lightweight design and environmental design.
The new CES Metal Selector helps engineers and materials experts who need to find and use information on metals specifications, designations, and global metal equivalencies. MI-21 provides access to 100 years of the World Metals Index's (WMI) metals data and a compilation of information on metal joining and surface treatment consumables from The Welding Institute (TWI). StahlDat SX is the official compilation of all registered and maintained European Standards for steels according to EN10027-2, the European Register of Steels ("Stahl-Eisen-Liste").
According to the company, CES Selector now provides a quick and simple route to identify potential drop-in replacement materials in cases of material obsolescence, restricted substance legislation, or rising costs. Similar materials can be identified and ranked by "nearness" using the new "find similar" tool. Clear comparison charts complement graphical tools to help with these substitution projects.
The Eco Audit Tool now provides not just life cycle energy usage and CO2 footprint, but new interactive charts that give the designer feedback on the environmental implications of changing material or process choices. The software can also suggest strategies for improving environmental performance.
CES Selector and its associated tools draw both engineering and environmental information from Granta's MaterialUniverse (providing complete material property data for nearly 4,000 records). The data set includes extended coverage of composites, Al and Mg alloys, and high-strength steels.
Users involved in lightweight design also benefit from enhancements to the Hybrid Synthesizer, which enable the modeling of advanced multi-material hybrid systems including multi-layer materials and short fiber reinforced composites, the company says.
For more information, visit Granta Design.
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.
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