VISTAGY’s FiberSIM® Software Wins Top Marks in DLR Composites Study

WALTHAM, Mass., (USA), June 6, 2011 — VISTAGY, Inc., a leading provider of industry-specific engineering software and services, today announced that DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt), the German Aerospace Center, conducted a study that deemed its FiberSIM^® composites engineering software superior to all other tested draping simulation software when fiber simulation, design functionality, and interfaces are collectively considered. DLR performed the evaluation by designing and manufacturing four composite parts, including a double curved aircraft stringer, a complex automotive B pillar, and two generic chicanery parts. Download the study.

The study was done as part of the TOP-Design (Tolerance Optimized-Design) Program, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology as part of the LuFo IV Program. One objective of TOP-Design is to examine the capabilities of various software products for simulating carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) manufacturing processes and understand how to use these tools to get the most accurate flat patterns and, thus, the highest quality, lightest weight parts.

“FiberSIM is very robust software,” said Tobias Stroehlein, DLR’s program architect for fuselage technologies. “We were able to do anything we wanted with it without crashing the CAD system. With FiberSIM, we were able to look at many ways to approach different strategies; it provided thousands of options for trying out different simulation types and geometries. We thought the multi-stage layup approach looked especially promising.”

In addition to having the highest combined score of any of the products in the three categories, FiberSIM was significantly the best in simulation algorithm and design functionality, was considered the most robust tool, and tied another program for the top score in precision.

“The results are very gratifying, especially considering it came from DLR, a highly respected and impartial organization,” said John O’Connor, director of product and market strategy for VISTAGY. “I think our industry expertise—which spans nearly 20 years—is reflected in FiberSIM’s capabilities and is why our software is the industry leader for designing and manufacturing composites in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and wind energy.”

About DLR
DLR is Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, transportation and energy is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany's Space Agency, the German federal government has given DLR responsibility for the forward planning and implementation of the German space program as well as international representation of Germany's interests.

About VISTAGY
VISTAGY, Inc. is a leading global provider of industry-specific engineering software and services that create rich product descriptions for better-informed decision making early in the design cycle. The company enhances commercial 3D CAD platforms by applying specialized process knowledge and domain expertise to create solutions that solve some of the world's most complex engineering problems. As a result, customers significantly increase their reuse of engineering data and ultimately reduce cost, improve quality, and cut time to market. VISTAGY is a strategic partner to hundreds of leading manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, and wind energy industries, including Bombardier Aerospace, General Motors, and Sinomatech Wind Power Blade Co. The company is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, www.vistagy.com.

“VISTAGY. Engineer success.”™

VISTAGY, the VISTAGY logo, FiberSIM and Engineer Success are registered trademarks or trademarks of VISTAGY, Inc., in the United States and in other countries. All other companies and products referenced herein have trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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This press release was published by Vistagy, Inc. prior to Siemens PLM Software acquiring the company on December 6, 2011.