Cellular Algorithms:
An Expert System for Analysys and Design in MCAE
Aldo Cella, PhD
The CASoftware Company

CASoft is an Expert System for MCAE (Mechanical Computer Aided Engineering) applicable to large scale computational models of:
Thermal, Mechanical Analysis
Structural Analysis and Design.

CASoft is based on a new computational engine that outruns the state-of- the art Finite Element engines (FEM) by a factor 100, both for computational speed and for model size. CASoft incorporates a Fractal Model builder and a Graphic User lnterface: they operate online with the equation solver.

The power of the CASoft engine, when running current models of Analysis, leads to completing the jobs in real time, thus setting a new mode of man-machine interaction. For instance : a large thermo-mechani cal model (1e5 variables) runs within 1 min ; during the run, the user receives online the graphic rendering of all the basic results. Thus he can take decisions in real time, and/or perform extensive parametric analyses of the model. CASoft adds a new productivity to mechanical analysis, and a new throughput from it.
The power of the CASoft engine has also extended the horizon of MCAE into new applications, insofar not accessible, thus making the code an Expert System tor design.

Virtual Welding: the User can 'design' the weld parameters that produce welded joints of sure Quality both for distortion and for joint strength.
The Quality of the welded joints has a major relevance for structural design. lndeed, the joints welded according to the Protocol of Quality, show an extended ductile behavior, reaching an ultimate load far higher than the service load.

Structural Design: CASoft computes the least weight stiffness configuration for a framed structure by applying iterations to structural Analysis. While designing, the user needs not input the cross-sections of all the members : they will be computed internally.

Design-by-Analysis: the safety factors computed by the Normative Codes for welded joints usually add a stiff penalty to the weight of the structure. With CASoft, the know-how acquired from Virtual Welding is collected into an internal data base that links the weld parameters to the applicable safety factors.

In Project MASC the weld parameters will be written into a data file used to drive welding robots. The project is meant to close the loop design-manifacture, thus entering into the context of Projects INDUSTRY 4.0.