Patran

Comprehensive Pre- and Post-Processor for FEA

Patran is the most widely used pre/post-processing software for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in the world. It provides a solid modelling, meshing, analysis setup and post-processing user interface for multiple solvers including MSC Nastran, Marc, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, ANSYS, and Pam-Crash.

It contains a comprehensive set of tools and utilities that streamline the creation of analysis ready models. It is used in the setup of linear, nonlinear, explicit dynamics, thermal and other finite element analyses.

It also contains geometry tools to assist the user with geometry cleanup operations such as gaps and slivers in CAD and solid model creation from scratch.

Finite Element (FE) models are easily created using Patran. Meshing of surfaces and solids are easily performed using fully automated meshing routines, manual methods (That provide the user with more control) or a combination of both. Finally, loads and boundary conditions can easily be applied for multiple FE solvers. Input decks are automatically created that needs little to no editing before solving.

Patran's comprehensive set of capabilities ensure that virtual prototyping is effortless and provide results fast. These results can be used to evaluate and optimize your designs to meet design requirements.

Capabilities

Access CAD Geometry Directly

Patran supports a wide variety of geometry formats including formats from some of the leading CAD software packages and industry-standard formats. Loads, boundary conditions, and material properties applied to an FE model can be associated with the geometry.

Advanced Geometry Creation, Editing and Feature Recognition Tools

Patran contains an advanced collection of geometry tools in addition to the direct CAD access functionality. These tools can be used to edit existing geometry or create geometry from scratch.

Patran can also recognize feature which allows the user to delete or edit holes, fillets, and chamfers in a 3D solid geometry. Any meshes, loads or boundary conditions associated with the modified geometry will be automatically updated.

Multiple FEA Solver Support

Patran is purpose-built to support both MSC Nastran and MD Nastran. This enables the use of common finite element models and to perform advanced analysis and design using Nastran’s design and topology optimization capabilities.

Patran also supports other solvers developed by MSC and third-party vendors including:

Marc,
Dytran,
MSC Sinda
Abaqus,
Ansys,
LS-Dyna
Pamcrash

This enables the user to stay in one graphical user environment even if you have to make use of multiple solvers for a variety of analyses.

Easy Results Evaluation using Post-processing and Reporting Tools

Patran can display results for:

Structural analysis,
Thermal analysis,
Fatigue analysis,
Fluid analysis,
Magnetic analysis,
Any other application where the resultant values are associated with their respective elements or nodes.

Imaging refers to any graphics capability found within Patran. This includes graphic shading and visual verification before analysis. Imaging features include:

Local view manipulation,
Local shading,
Multiple light sources

Images and videos can be exported in many standard formats to include in design reports.

Patran Command Language (PCL)

PCL is the programming language that is used to execute actions within the Patran modelling environment. PCL is a high-level, block-structured programing language that provides a lot of the features commonly found in traditional programming languages. PCL can be used to: