Original Date: 08/15/1991
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

MagneTek Defense Systems (MDS) uses the commercial finite element modeling software COSMOS to analyze designs. COSMOS runs on a 386-33 MHZ PC (requires 15 MB hard disk space and 8 MB of RAM) or on Apple machines and workstations. The software is modular, thereby necessitating purchase of only required portions, and its analytic capabilities include static, dynamic, thermal, fluid, mechanical, and electrical. User training is covered in two, three-day classes.

Using COSMOS, MagneTek has realized substantial savings analyzing designs produced on its computer aided design (CAD) system by avoiding the $5K per day test cost as well as rework and system modification costs. The analysis provides an early look at the design to analyze and correct weaknesses before building any hardware. MagneTek recently used this analytic capability to verify a design feasibility for meeting system vibration and shock requirements. Actual testing by the government verified the analysis within 1%. MagneTek has procured MicroCap III and IntuSoft Spice for electronic circuit analysis modeling. The software is run on 386 PCS. Analysis aids in selecting optimum system topology and prediction of performance in the design phase without building models. Monte Carlo analysis is used to determine circuit variability due to component tolerance and temperature range.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.