In order to be able to solve increasingly complex engineering problems, Frazer-Nash Consultancy has been required to develop novel analytical techniques. These techniques have typically taken the form of advanced computerised modelling, either in the form of modifications to proprietary code or the evolution of completely new computer-based analysis systems. Some of the new analysis systems have developed into fully fledged software products which are sold to external organisations with full user support and update packages. More importantly, conducting many software and analysis projects has resulted in Frazer-Nash being able to offer a unique blend of engineering and programming skills that can be applied on a consultancy basis to solve customer problems.
Our software development skills principally fall into four areas:
A synopsis of our hardware and software experience is shown below.
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All of our software is developed within a stringent Quality Assurance environment. Our quality management system is approved to ISO9001:2000 including TickIT for software development.
Solution Techniques
As an engineering consultancy, we have a strong understanding of mathematics, modelling techniques and engineering principles. This, coupled with our programming skills, means that we are ideally suited to develop new solution codes and algorithms. Particular areas of expertise include:
- Equation of state, material models and hydro-code development
- Acoustic propagation
- Shock and pressure wave propagation
- Gun technology FNGUN
- Non-linear structural dynamics
- Probabilistic based approaches for safety and risk management
One further service that is offered by Frazer-Nash is the re-writing of existing solution codes (legacy software) in a quality assured environment and using modern languages and techniques. This is particularly useful for clients who possess codes that have been developed over a number of years and possibly by a number of authors.
Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
Many of Frazer-Nash's software development clients have already either developed or identified analysis codes which are suitable for their needs in terms of the level of technology, yet unsuitable in terms of their ease of use. For example, a client may have an extremely advanced solver which uses text files for input and output which does not allow the user to visualise the model or the results. In such a situation, Frazer-Nash uses its programming skills to produce a user-friendly GUI based pre- and post- processor to provide a seamless link to the client’s solver.
Similarly, Frazer-Nash has produced GUI based intelligent and dedicated pre- and post-processors for finite element analysis (FEA) codes, which allow less technically skilled personnel to access the power of FEA without the danger of producing an incorrect model. One example of this is a proprietary software code called FNBRIDGE. FNBRIDGE enables a person with minimal engineering skills to build an FEA model of a bridge using a "drag and drop" icon based system. At the press of a button, the icon model is transformed into an FEA model and then analysed.
Specialised Engineering Applications
Frazer-Nash has produced a number of very different specialised applications for its clients. These range from technical or risk database systems through to control and data acquisition systems for test rigs. All of the applications are specialised pieces of software that require a combination of engineering knowledge and programming skills if a successful development is to be assured. Examples of recent projects include:
- Risk management database applications based on Microsoft Access
- A control and data acquisition system for a braking test rig based on LabVIEW
- A polar contour graphing subroutine to work within Excel and based on Visual Basic
Independent Peer Review
As computerised tools are being used increasingly to assess the safety and integrity of structures and systems, it is essential that a review of the software is undertaken to ensure its accuracy and hence the safety of its predictions. Frazer-Nash is ideally placed to provide such independent review.
Software and Hardware Experience
We have experience of a large number of platforms, operating systems and programming tools including:
- Platforms:
- PC’s
- Workstations
- Mainframes
- Operating Systems
- Windows 98 and NT,
- Unix
- VMS
- X Windows
- Motif
- Languages and programming tools:
- Zapp
- C, C++
- Fortran
- Pascal
- Visual Basic
- LabVIEW
- JAVA
- HTML
- MathCAD
- IDL
- Access
- X Designer
If you would like further information about our services or products, or want to know if we can assist you in a particular project, please complete the form on the Contact Us page.