Helius:MatSim™ Released

Firehole Technologies, Inc, a leader in the development of software for advanced composite analysis, announced today the production release of their composite material simulation tool - Helius:MatSim™. This web-based tool allows users to simulate composite lamina properties based upon constituent (fiber and matrix) level data and fiber volume.

Firehole’s CEO, Jerad Stack said, "Helius:MatSim falls nicely in our product line complementing both Prospector:Composites™, our online composite materials database, and Helius:MCT™, our advanced composites-specific finite element analysis (FEA) add-on tool. Our customers have told us that there is a need for obtaining a quick prediction of lamina behavior based on fiber and matrix constants and fiber volume; Helius:MatSim provides a an easy tool to meet that need." This micromechanics-based tool provides a solution when no test data is available for the particular fiber/matrix/fiber volume combination needed. It can also address the question of how each of the inputs affects the lamina level data.

An example use of Helius:MatSim might be evaluating the effects of design vs. as-built material properties. For example, a design engineer has completed design and analysis of a structure based upon a 52% fiber volume. After fabrication, a sample structure is checked and its fiber volume is actually 48%. The engineer might first turn to Prospector:Composites to determine if any reliable test data [or a suitable supplier] exists for this as-built configuration. If no data is available for this particular fiber/matrix/fiber volume combination, he can quickly use Helius:MatSim to determine simulated lamina-level properties. With these properties, a Helius:MCT structural analysis can help determine if the properties will meet requirements or if additional material characterization is required.

Helius:MatSim’s introductory offer requires the user to simply sign-up for no-cost access via http://www.fireholetech.com/virtualtestingregistration.html. The current version applies to unidirectional composites; Firehole has plans for a Helius:MatSim release that includes a woven composite microstructure by early Summer ‘09.

Firehole Technologies supplies innovative computer-aided simulation software and services for composite materials to the aerospace, defense, automotive and energy industries. Firehole’s Helius:MCT™ software enables the design of composite structures without the numerous expensive testing cycles traditionally deployed, allowing for a faster time-to-market and more reliable designs. The company’s mission is to enable wide-spread use of composite materials leading to lighter, stronger and more fuel efficient applications.