[CROSSPOST] Announcement: Tool for section properties including torsion and warping constant

Mechatools Technologies announces ShapeDesigner version 3

New version adds enhanced GUI, better integration with CADs and new features.

February 10, 2004

Mechatools Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of software tools for stress analysis and dynamic analysis of structures under moving loads, today announced the availability of Mechatools ShapeDesigner Version 3.

ShapeDesigner is a specialized tool for the calculation of general beam section properties including torsion constant, warping constant and normal, warping and shear stresses.

Mechatools Technologies President Dr. Kamel Henchi stated "ShapeDesigner is an ideal tool to complement CAD and finite analysis software. ShapeDesigner is designed to help the analysis and design of structures using steel, aluminum and polymeric material sections. The properties calculated by ShapeDesigner are essential for static, free vibrations and dynamic buckling analysis."

ShapeDesigner Version 3 includes the following enhancements and features: · Better Integration with CAD. Mechatools DXFDEasy is now included with ShapeDesigner. DXFEAsy allows the import and manipulation of 2D DXF files. · Enhanced User Interface. Building upon existing functionality common to all Mechatools software, the enhanced UI simplifies the creation of section. · More section properties. ShapeDesigner computes more than 50 properties, for any section, with respect to any axis. These properties include: mass, volume, area, moments of inertia, gyration radii, torsion constants, warping constants, elastic and plastic modulus, shape factors, shear center, fully plastic moment etc. · New features. ShapeDesigner now includes a multi-criterion section optimization option and support for shape templates.

A detailed description of ShapeDesigner and a free evaluation download is available at:

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About Mechatools Mechatools delivers a comprehensive suite of tools for structural analysis. Mechatools' introduction of ShapeDesiger 3.0, extends the value it delivers customers seeking specialized tools to solve problems. Shape designer is a natural complement to Mechatools BEDAS, the only software tool for the analysis of structures (bridge) under moving loads based on the exact dynamics stiffness method. ShapeDesigner also integrates seamlessly with TWProfile, Mechatools' advanced general open thin wall composite beam section calculator. Mechatools Technologies uses state of the art technology in its products and is the only company offering products based on the "exact dynamic stiffness method".