The modeFRONTIER University Program

We believe that the future of optimization tools begins in academia, where research continues to expand our understanding of numerical methods, physical models, and computing technology

The modeFRONTIER University Program is a joint initiative of EnginSoft and ESTECO which aims at fostering strong ties with universities and working in close collaboration with research institutes and academic organizations.

Through the modeFRONTIER University Program, we support education with specific initiatives to facilitate teaching and research related activities on campuses across the world.


Training courses for academic specialist
Since November 2007, regular free training courses specifically dedicated to the academic community are being hosted by EnginSoft and ESTECO in Italy, and very soon also at other European locations that are easy accessible.


modeFRONTIER at the Vehicle Safety Institute
The following testimonial and picture of a workflow has been provided by courtesy of Gregor Gstrein, of the Vehicle Safety Institute (VSI) of Technical University of Graz, Austria, who attended our recent training course in Bergamo.

Application of modeFRONTIER in the development of restraint systems: The Vehicle Safety Institute (VSI) was founded in 2002 as a working group of the mechanics department. In the year 2006, it moved into a totally new building with a generously spaced, fully equipped test-lab. For different demands, there now exists the possibility to perform component-tests or even full scale crash-tests.

About 20 employees are working in different research fields:

• Accident research
• Active and passive safety
• Safety of roadside infrastructure
• Biomechanics
  
  

One PhD-project at the VSI addresses the development of restraint systems in passenger cars. It consists mainly in simulation-work combined with evalua-tion tests at the end of the project. The large number of input parameters in this topic causes numerous possible solutions. For a single-minded, fast development it is necessary to apply optimization tools or at least an automated simulation, such as modeFRONTIER. The meaningful degree of automation depends a lot on the knowledge of the technical problem and the purpose of the research. So, for the first step it seems to be reasonable to apply a DOE over the whole area of variation. Afterwards, when we know better how specific output-parameters behave against the input-parameters, it is possible to narrow down the area where to search for a good solution. Following these ideas, the number of simulations is minimized as well as the risk for getting senseless solutions.

The training courses for academic specialists provide users with the fastest route to being fully proficient and productive in the use of modeFRONTIER for their research activities. The courses combine modeFRONTIER Fundamentals and Advanced Optimization Techniques.

Conducted in English language and with no prerequisites required, the training courses aim to reach a European academic and research audience with various technical backgrounds.

The following testimonial has been kindly provided by Professor Piero Pelloni and Professor Gian Marco Bianchi of DIEM, the Department of Mechanical Engineering of University of Bologna.


Multi-objective optimization enters the DIEM research group
The use of modeFRONTIER at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DIEM) of University of Bologna is becoming mandatory in the new scenario of simulation and design. A research group, lead by Professor Pelloni and coordinated by Professor Bianchi, is involved in the development and application of methodologies for the simulation of internal combustion engines and fluid-power components and systems. A permanent staff of four people, together with seven engineers, works on advanced CFD projects (LES, Multi-phase flow, etc.) and know-how transfer to companies, such as Piaggio & C., Moto GP and F1 teams, among others.

DIEM is faced with new challenges in design and modelling which require to conceive and use tools able to predict component and system behaviour when few data are available, i.e.“Modelling the unknown”. The approach to modeFRONTIER through a basic training course has allowed the concept of multi-objective optimization to enter the DIEM research group. The two days training class provided effective information on the modeFRONTIER tools and their applications, thus shortening the start-up phase. After the training class, a test case focused on a black-box injector model was chosen as first application. DIEM developed an hydraulic simple injector model for high pressure injection systems (C.R. and GDI) using the AMESim code. Injector design specifications, unavoidable to reproduce the injector’s hydraulic behaviour, are rarely (or costly) available to end users, such as engine manufacturers and research centres. The application of a coupled simulation using modeFRONTIER-AMESim has been revealed to be successful for this goal. After a short training (optimization), the black-box injector model can reproduce the behaviour of a generic multi-hole injector without needing information about its design and manufacturing. Very few experimental points have been demonstrated to be necessary to make the model capable to reproduce the actual injector over the whole range of operating conditions within a given accuracy.

This is only a first and simple example of the benefits achieved by using optimization strategy with the perspective to extend the application of modeFRONTIER to other projects currently performed at DIEM.

Regular training courses will be held in 2008, at alternating locations in Europe. If you are interested in attending or hosting trainings, please contact us to hear about the next planned dates and venues for academic training.


Additional features
The modeFRONTIER University Program comprises as well a complete offer for PHD License, Consultancy License and Technical Support. Additionally, our proposal includes:


For Teachers and Researchers

• Visibility of academic research activities to the scientific community through the publication of papers in international magazines and on web pages as well as participation at conferences and annual users’ meetings
• Through the TCN consortium and the e-learning portal, professors and researchers can teach their courses to an audience of professional and edit their works www.consorziotcn.it www.improve.it
  
  

Partnerships

• Partnership in European co-funded projects
• Sponsorship and attendance at your scientific conferences
• Organization of academic seminars on optimization
  
  

For Students

• modeFRONTIER training courses for students and funding of thesis projects

Contacts
For more information please contact:
modeFRONTIER University Program,
info@enginsoft.com