CATIA Analysis Software
For advanced engineering analysis and design validation.
What is CATIA Analysis?
CATIA Analysis is a powerful simulation and analysis toolkit developed by Dassault Systèmes as part of the CATIA 3D modeling environment. It provides a wide range of options for performing various types of simulations and analyses, including structural, thermal, fluid dynamics, and multiphysics analyses.
CATIA Analysis is designed to work seamlessly with other CATIA applications, allowing engineers to analyze and validate their designs within the same integrated environment. This integration enables a streamlined workflow, where design changes can be quickly evaluated and optimized through simulations, reducing the need for physical prototyping and testing.
Most popular uses for CATIA Analysis
Aerospace engineering
CATIA Analysis is essential for the aerospace industry, where safety and performance are paramount. Engineers use it to simulate and validate the structural integrity of aircraft components under various load conditions, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Automotive design
CATIA Analysis helps engineers optimize vehicle performance by simulating crash tests, thermal management, and vibration analysis. This ensures that vehicles are not only safe but also efficient and comfortable.
Industrial equipment
For industrial equipment manufacturers, CATIA Analysis provides the tools to simulate operational stresses and thermal effects on machinery, ensuring durability and reliability in harsh environments.
Consumer packaged goods
CATIA Analysis is used to test the structural integrity and performance of products, from household appliances to electronics, ensuring they meet quality and safety standards
Energy, process, and utilities
CATIA Analysis supports the energy sector by enabling the simulation of complex systems such as wind turbines and power plants, ensuring they operate efficiently and safely under various conditions.
Why use CATIA Analysis?
CATIA Analysis offers numerous benefits that enhance engineering capabilities and streamline processes for organizations.
Seamless integration with CATIA’s design tools provides a unified environment for both design and analysis. This integration ensures consistency and accuracy throughout the product development lifecycle.
Support collaboration among multidisciplinary teams by providing a common data environment, enabling real-time sharing of analysis results and design updates.
Improve the overall quality and performance of products by enabling early detection and resolution of potential issues, reducing the need for costly physical prototypes.
CATIA Analysis is a scalable solution that can be tailored to the specific needs of various industries, from small-scale simulations to complex, large-scale analyses.
What can you do with CATIA Analysis?
CATIA Analysis provides a comprehensive suite of features and capabilities designed to meet the diverse needs of engineers and designers.
Structural analysis
For evaluating the strength and durability of components under various load conditions, ensuring they meet safety and performance standards.
Thermal analysis
For simulating and analyzing the thermal behavior of products, ensuring they operate efficiently under different temperature conditions.
Dynamic analysis
For studying the dynamic response of systems to various forces and motions, helping to optimize performance and reliability.
Product optimization
For refining designs to achieve the best possible performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Multiphysics simulation
For conducting comprehensive simulations that consider multiple physical phenomena, providing a holistic view of product behavior.
How to choose your modeling and simulation software
When choosing software for parallel modeling and simulation, consider its compatibility with your existing CAD (computer-aided design) tools and PLM (product lifecycle management) system to ensure seamless integration.
Evaluate the specific analysis capabilities you require, such as FEA (finite element analysis), CFD (computational fluid dynamics), or multi-body dynamics, and ensure that the software meets these needs.
Additionally, assess the availability of training resources, technical support, and a robust user community to facilitate a smooth implementation and ongoing usage.
How to buy CATIA Analysis
Looking to purchase CATIA Analysis licenses? Want to see a demo to understand what CATIA Analysis can do? Or do you need to speak to an expert before you can make your decision?
CATIA Analysis comes in all shapes and sizes. We’re here to make sure that you’re getting the right software package for your team.
Need help with CATIA Analysis?
Jake Taylor and team are on-hand to provide tailored guidance and support with a deep knowledge of the full Dassault Systèmes portfolio. Reach out for a free consultation today.
CATIA Analysis FAQs
Troubleshooting and Support
Looking for help with CATIA Analysis?
2D advanced meshing in CATIA V5 is a feature within the advanced meshing tools workbench that enables users to create finite element models for parts with constant thickness, such as sheet metal. By using 2D elements (e.g., shell elements), this method reduces computational time and resources compared to 3D meshing while maintaining accuracy for specific applications like structural analysis. To perform 2D meshing:
Prepare the geometry:
- Extract the mid-plane of the part using the extract tool (insert > operation > extract) and offset it if necessary (insert > surfaces > offset) in the generative shape design workbench.
Launch the advanced meshing tools workbench:
- Navigate to start > analysis & simulation > advanced meshing tools.
Select the analysis type:
- Choose the type of analysis (e.g., static analysis) and confirm.
Apply surface meshing:
- Use the advanced surface mesher tool to select the mid-plane surface.
Specify mesh parameters such as:
- Mesh size: defines element size.
- Sag: controls curvature approximation.
- Min hole size: suppresses small holes below a defined diameter (set to 0mm to retain all features).
Refine and edit mesh:
- Adjust or transform mesh elements as needed using tools in the meshing editor.
Finalize for analysis:
- Apply material properties, boundary conditions, and loads in the generative structural analysis workbench.
- Assign 2D properties (e.g., thickness) to the meshed part before running the simulation.
By predefining settings such as mesh parameters, material properties, loads, and boundary conditions, templates save time, ensure consistency, and reduce errors during analysis. This is especially useful when analyzing similar parts or assemblies. To create an FEA template:
- Set up the analysis
- Open the GPS (generative structural analysis) or GAS (generative assembly structural analysis) workbench.
- Define the analysis parameters, such as material properties, loads, restraints, and meshing settings.
- Save as a template
- Once all settings are configured, save the analysis file (.CATAnalysis) as a template.
- Store the template in a shared directory for team-wide access.
- Reuse the template
- Open the template for new parts or assemblies.
- Update geometry while retaining predefined analysis settings.
You can enhance templates by adding validation checks using knowledgeware:
- Use the formula editor to define rules such as stress limits or displacement thresholds.
- Add a conditional output (e.g., “PASS” or “FAIL”) based on analysis results.
- Automate validation checks to ensure compliance with design requirements.
Templates are particularly effective for:
- Repeated analyses of similar parts (e.g., brackets, beams).
- Assemblies with standard connections like bolts or welds.
- Compliance testing with predefined design standards.