Belgium - Samtech launches SAMCEF v1.1 for wind turbines

SAMTECH, the European specialist in Computer Aided Engineering software and advanced Finite Element Analysis technology, launches the commercial release 1.1 of SAMCEF for Wind Turbines (S4WT), dedicated to wind turbines design and verification in dynamic conditions. S4WT V1.1 will be demonstrated at EWEC 2008 in Brussels (March 31st to April 3rd, 2008).

Presented for the first time at the preview conference organized by SAMTECH the 28th of November 2007 in Hamburg on the topic “Wind Turbine dynamic loads prediction for certification”, the new professional product S4WT is now available for industrial use by the Wind Energy market. “S4WT V1.1 provides users with an open desktop which allows to edit pre-defined wind turbine validated models, launch pre-defined computation schemes (transient responses, modal analyses, fatigue analyses, dynamic load amplification analyses …) and perform specific post-processing (Campbell, Waterfalls diagrams …) in order to analyze the wind turbine flexible dynamic behavior and resonances”, says Andreas Heege, Head of SAMTECH Iberica, the wind turbine centre of expertise of SAMTECH Group.

S4WT also allows the introduction of local detailed FEA models for some selected parts of the wind turbine. This capability is completely unique and a first step in the connection between global flexible mechanisms simulation and local stress analyses using Finite Element Analysis.

Thanks to its general data model and its plug-in technique available in the general purpose open CAE framework CAESAM on which it is based, S4WT is also the appropriate basis for the future integration of any pre-existing specialized computation software for the whole wind turbine simulation (at concept level) or for wind turbine components detailed analysis (blades, gearbox, bearings, tower, control …) using analytical or numerical techniques (MBS or FEA for example).

“Building a highly reliable wind turbine is a big challenge, since wind turbines are large flexible articulated structures submitted to aerodynamic transient excitations. We just have to open economical newspapers to read how wind turbine manufacturers are facing with huge problems due to dynamic loading and fatigue, like failure of transmission gear pinions, failure of bearings, blade fracture, tower buckling, … Manufacturers meet these problems often and often and insurance companies become reluctant in supporting financially these energy production stops” explains Eric Carnoy, SAMTECH CEO. “In order to help avoiding these dramatic and expensive consequences, SAMTECH has developed S4WT, providing to wind industry advanced easy-to-use design & verification software tools to wind energy sector allowing to solve these difficult problems.”

In the immediate future, SAMTECH will take part as exhibitor (booth N° 7A740) at the European Wind Energy Conference 2008 that will be held in Brussels from March 31st to April 3rd, 2008. EWEC 2008 will be an effective opportunity to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of SAMCEF for Wind Turbines (S4WT V1.1), innovative professional engineering software dedicated to wind turbine design taking advantage of cutting edge modeling technology.

About SAMTECH

SAMTECH s.a. is a European specialist in Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) integrated software, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Multi-Disciplinary Optimization (MDO). SAMTECH develops and markets the Open CAE Design Framework CAESAM, the general-purpose Finite Element Analysis code SAMCEF, the Multi-Disciplinary Optimization platform BOSS quattro , the multi-physics solver OOFELIE as well as Professional solutions such as S4WT (SAMCEF for Wind Turbines), S4R (SAMCEF for Rotors), S4PL&S (SAMCEF for Power Lines and Substations) resulting from the integration of specific and customized skills within these application oriented software. SAMTECH is represented all over the world through a network of subsidiaries and distributors, qualified for technical support, sales and engineering services.