PORSCHE Selects REALAX for Virtual Crash Lab
1 October 1997
PORSCHE Selects REALAX for Virtual Crash Lab
The German Carmaker Uses RXcae.femvis as the Next Generation of Visualization
Tool for the Highest Possible Level of "Crash Worthiness"
STUTTGART, Germany, Oct. 1 -- IBEC'97, the computer-aided
engineering congress in Stuttgart, Germany, is the location of the world
premiere of the new commercial REALAX virtual reality software tool for crash
visualization. Porsche AG is presenting this high-end solution as an
important step to increase passive safety. Faster time-to-market and higher
development efficiency are further benefits of this innovative technology.
The constant increase in complexity of crash tests for cars, due to higher
safety standards, different materials and new body structures, requires more
detailed simulations. Simulation is becoming increasingly important. In the
area of crash worthiness simulation the usual postprocessing tools are no
longer sufficient to provide high quality analysis of computer simulation
results. A significant improvement can be achieved by using Virtual Reality
(VR) methods for a more intense and earlier understanding of numerical crash
simulation results.
The result can be seen at the Virtual Crash Lab, developed for Porsche on
the basis of REALAX Virtual Reality Software. Numbercrunching computers are
generating time dependent deformation states. The results are loaded into the
REALAX environment, where the crash can be constantly repeated in real time.
Free and intuitive navigation and interaction with VR devices such as
spacemouse or dataglove allow to virtually sit on the hood, inside the
structure or in the driver's seat during the crash. For instance, the bumper
can be separated just by removing it with the dataglove. Stereoscopic view
increases the natural visual impression. A graphical user interface helps to
play the crash back and forth, select and deselect objects and apply
transparency to selected objects.
The benefits are obvious: The visualization with REALAX simplifies the
interpretation and communication of simulation results. This leads to
enormous timesavings for each simulation task and cuts costs by reducing the
number of real crash tests.
The REALAX software RXcae.femvis is the first commercial tool that fully
supports today's demand for interactive realtime visualization for
FE-simulation results. The very intuitive and easy to handle user interface
allows instant import of crash results and most advanced analysis with REALAX
and is a milestone in CAE postprocessing.
This technology will not replace real crash tabs. At some point the real
crash of the prototype is inevitable. But more crashes can be performed by
simulation and sophisticated analysis with REALAX and the most essential
benefit important to all of us is increased passive car safety.
The Product
RXcae.femvis is a software tool of the REALAX productline, a unique and
highly integrated professional VR system with the widest range of
functionality available today. It is used in a variety of fields such as
realtime visualization, simulation, digital prototyping, manufacturing,
training, education, marketing, and entertainment. REALAX is based on the
computer industry standard OpenGL and is compatible with leading CAD/CAE and
3D-Animation software tools such as ProEngineer, Catia, Autocad, Patran,
Dyna3D, Softimage, Alias Wavefront etc. REALAX software is running on the
Windows '95, Windows NT and Silicon Graphics platform.
The Company
REALAX Corporation is a leading provider of high-performance virtual
reality software. The company develops, markets and supports software and
solutions worldwide. In addition to high-end software core products and
solutions, the company provides extensive consulting services for the
implementation and integration of VR technologies. REALAX is located in
Karlsruhe-Ettlingen, Germany and New York, US.
REALAX is a trademark of REALAX Software GmbH.
For more information, contact http://www.realax.com .
SOURCE REALAX Corporation
