Enhancements to the MI:Explore technology means it is easier to add data in a controlled manner and can also trigger requests for new tests or information. Similarly, CAD users can now request a variant material from their material teams based on an existing specification, identifying properties that are inadequate for their intended application.
The ‘collections’ feature is said to help users identify and share data sets with common themes. Other new tools enable easy capture of context and application information. Designers selecting a material can use an app to connect to their corporate Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system and ask: “Where is this material used?” Accessing knowledge from earlier applications helps to optimise design and avoids repeated product failures or errors.
Enhanced support for generating accurate CAE input models is provided by the GRANTA MI:Simulation software package. This ensures fully-traceable derivation of these models through GRANTA MI:Data Analysis Apps, which support tasks such as curve smoothing, averaging, and model fitting. New scripting tools enable these apps to be tailored to the specific needs of a company using common scripting languages such as MATLAB and Python. Enhancements to the MI:Materials Gateway software are said to provide smooth access to these material models from directly within CAE environments, helping simulation analysts to find and use the right data.
Version 9 is also claimed to make it simple to update and manage restricted substances information. Users can apply updates of reference data from Granta on regulations, substances, materials, coatings, and specifications, merging and linking these with ever-changing in-house data. A new ‘Substances to Specifications’ report navigates this complex information resource to identify which materials, coatings, or specifications contain particular chemical substances. With this knowledge, enterprises can assess their exposure to risk and compliance obligations and then take appropriate action, such as controlling material and process selection, saving time and cost due to disruptions downstream.
It is also said to be easier to export data to Excel and other engineering software. Version 9 benefits from tools to manage additive manufacturing data and help with composite qualification. Finally, the GRANTA MI library of reference data on metals, composites, plastics, ceramics and natural materials has been updated—including the latest MMPDS-09 aerospace alloy data, new versions of CAMPUS and Prospector Plastics, and new MI-21, StahlDat, and SteelSpec data on steels and other metals.