SonoAnalyzer Pro RC - version 1.5.0 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro RC (release-candidate) version 1.5.0. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license) or SonoAnalyzer Pro pre-release.

This version moves SonoAnalyzer Pro from beta to release-candidate. It now includes all features promised for the Pro version (as well as several more!) and is moving towards full release.

Proflied hole definition in Pro #3 modelCylindrical models upgraded to include holes / profiled internal section

The four cylindrical Pro models (stepped, exponential, conical and user-defined profile) now also include axial holes. The hole type is defined in a separate design tab and can be selected from:

  • Solid - no hole, solid sonotrode
  • Simple - axial through hole of fixed diameter (like the hollow OE models)
  • Profiled - hole section defined by a series of lengths and diameters with optional blend radii (like the user-defined external profile). Setting the hole diameter to zero (solid) also makes blind holes possible, from one or both ends.

In the case of the profiled hole, the total length of all sections must be equal to the length of the outside profile. This is achieved automatically by making one section adjustable, and set automatically to match the lengths. The user selects which part to use for this through the "Adjust at" selection menu (bottom-left of profiled hole design tab).

Other new features and changes in version 1.5.0 are described below.

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.9 released

Another quick re-release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta, now version 1.4.9, to address issues with saving the new models to file. This is a bugfix release only - all other details are as version 1.4.8. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license) or SonoAnalyzer Pro pre-release.

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.8 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.8. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license) or SonoAnalyzer Pro pre-release.

This fast-tracked version is mainly a bug-fix for several problems introduced by the changes in the previous version 1.4.7, including program crashes, cached results not working on Pro models and material selection issues. A minor issue with the display of deprecated Pro models was also fixed.

Constraints and frequency ranges added

New options for frequency ranges and constraints in SonoAnalyzer ProSome new features have also been introduced: The ability to include displacement constraints on the analysis and control the frequency range of results for cylindrical Pro models. These options are accessed through the Pro - Options dialog. In addition to selecting the number of modes extracted (on previous versions) this now includes inputs for min and max frequencies (blank maximum means no limit). However, when using these options please note that the number of modes is considered first - this must be large enough to find all the modes in the frequency range of interest. If the number of modes limit is hit while a frequency range is in operation the program will give a warning on completion of the analysis.

Two new options are available relating to displacement constraints on the model: Constrain torsion and Constrain torsion and bending.

  1. Constrain torsion: This applies constraints on out-of-plane motion on a plane through the axis of the model. This allows all modes which have at least one plane of symmetry, which is nearly all of them (only torsional modes are excluded). An added benefit is that each bending mode appears only once (aligned to the constraint plane) so for a given number of modes extracted, more modes are found, over a greater range of frequencies.
  2. Constrain torsion and bending: This applies constraints on out-of-plane motion on two perpendicular planes through the axis of the model. In addition to the torsional modes this blocks all bending modes, leaving only axial and some radial modes. This one in particular should be used with care - the presence of a bending mode at a resonant frequency close to the working frequency could cause major problems, and with this option selected the analysis would not detect it.

 

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.7 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.7. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license) or SonoAnalyzer Pro pre-release.

This version introduces multiple-component models based on four new "3rd generation" cylindrical sonotrode models, for SonoAnalyzer Pro only. These models (in common with the recent slotted-rectangular #3 models) are more closely connected to the Finite Element model than previously - the graphics used in SonoAnalyzer are generated directly from the node positions of the FE model.

  • User-defined #3 sonotrode - define your own shape by diameter and length of 12 sections, with optional blend radii between them.
  • Stepped #3 sonotrode - the classic stepped design specified by diameters, lengths and blend radius. Set the position of the step either at a fixed distance from one end or as a percentage of the total length.
  • Conical #3 sonotrode - the standard conical design (optionally with cylindrical ends) specified by diameters and lengths.
  • Exponential #3 sonotrode - efficient exponential shape (optionally with cylindrical ends) specified by diameters and lengths.
  • Multi-component #3 sonotrode - combine any* number of the above together and analyze as one system.

The multi-component model is intended for two use cases:

  1. for modelling a stack of several half-wavelength components (as typically used in ultrasonics applications) to predict possible unwanted interactions
  2. for complex shapes where the 12 sections of the user-defined model don't provide enough detail to accurately simulate the real shape.

To build a multiple-component model simply select it from the list on the Analysis tab as usual. From the "+" tab which appears, select the type of component to add, or load an existing saved component. This feature allows users to design and tune each component separately, save it to a file and finally combine all saved components as a new analysis. At this stage only saved models based on the four new types listed above can be used.

* Any number of components? There's no hard limit set within the program but of course there will be a limit, depending on the size and complexity of the components and the memory available to the program, and the capability of the analysis computer (which may or may not be the same one). In early trials a stack of six 20kHz half-wavelength components was run successfully using the standard mesh size, with the analysis taking only a few minutes. Note that larger structures will require an increase in the number of modes extracted. This can be changed in the Pro menu under Options.

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.6 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.6. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license) or SonoAnalyzer Pro pre-release.

This is a bug-fix release, addressing a problem that prevented the use of a local CalculiX install with the new Pro FEA models. It also fixes a minor display bug where the status bar at the foot of the SonoAnalyzer program window could be partially hidden on program startup. (On affected versions the simple workaround is to resize the window after starting the program).

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.5 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.5. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license).

This includes one significant development compared to version 1.4.4: a change in the method of scaling the CalculiX finite element results file to significantly speed up the process, particularly on low-bandwidth connections. With the new version it becomes practical to run Pro models on a remote server anywhere in the world using a standard ADSL connection (or better).

SonoAnalyzer OE and Demo - version 1.4.5 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer OE version 1.4.5 (codename "Strutt") also available as a 30-day, limited use demo.

This update introduces two new models with through holes based on the existing "#2" user-defined and exponential shapes. Upgrade is optional. Further details are shown below.

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.4 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.4. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license).

This is a bug-fix release only with no new features compared to the recent 1.4.3 version.

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.3 released (Slotted designs)

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.3. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license).

This version introduces two new "3rd generation" models - stepped and user-defined profile rectangular blocks with slots. Key changes from previous models are:

  • Slotted designs - specify the number of slots, slot width and distance from ends and sides.
  • The SonoAnalyzer graphics display is now derived directly from the finite-element model, instead of being generated separately. This permits more complex model shapes (eg. slots) to be developed more quickly and gives the user direct access to the finite-element model - the size of the mesh and shape of the elements are clearly visible without leaving SonoAnalyzer.
  • Since generating the complete FE model is more time-consuming than the previous geometry-creation routines, a brief time delay has been introduced to make changing geometry more convenient. After any change the time to redraw counts down in the status bar. During the countdown the visible geometry may be out of sync with the dimensions set, so the screen is darkened to indicate this. The time delay before redraw can be set in the Pro -> Options menu.

Note: As the new models make much more use of the CalculiX finite-element program, running the local / native version is highly recommended. If you have already installed one of the free downloadable CalculiX versions and set up a previous version of SonoAnalyzer Pro to connect to it, the new version should use the same settings automatically.

SonoAnalyzer Pro beta - version 1.4.2 released

Announcing the release of SonoAnalyzer Pro beta version 1.4.2. This is a 60-day trial version available free of charge to all clients who have purchased SonoAnalyzer OE (annual or one-month license).

This is a maintenance update containing the same bug-fixes and enhancements as the corresponding version of SonoAnalyzer OE. The changes apply only to the OE models included with Pro. Users running Pro models only need not upgrade. For full details see the SonoAnalyzer OE 1.4.2 release announcement.

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