Prejudices against open source simulation software and my opinion on it!

This is the English version of my article "Vorbehalte gegen Open-Source-Simulationssoftware und meine Meinung dazu!". Some of my non-German speaking accomplices in simulation democratization have wished to read this article in English. I hope this article is also of interest to many other English-speaking open source enthusiasts. I look forward to a lively discussion. Let's get started!

Real world can be mapped with virtual prototypes. It's like animation, but with physically correct results. In product development, these results make an important contribution to understanding the physics of a product or manufacturing process.

With open source simulation software, virtual prototypes can be integrated very efficiently into the product development process. For small and medium-sized companies in particular, this is an incredible opportunity not to fall by the wayside when it comes to digitization.

In many industries, the use of virtual product development is currently still a unique selling point! Small and medium-sized companies in particular can therefore secure a decisive competitive advantage by using open source simulation software.

I've been using the open source simulation software Salome_Meca (Code_Aster) intensively in the industrial environment for about eight years and was able to experience the resulting advantages and opportunities live in many projects. That is why I've been working hard to ensure that as many companies as possible can use these advantages and opportunities.

In my last article, I described the significant role virtual product development plays in the digitization of small and medium-sized companies.

Some weeks ago I got a message with questions. Unfortunately, these questions have made it clear that there are still many prejudices against open source simulation software. I would like to share these questions and my answers with you below. With this I would like to make a contribution to finally dispelling the prejudices against open source simulation software. I look forward to your additions and comments.

Below are the most common prejudices and my thoughts on them:

?? "Installing open source software is time-consuming, annoying and difficult. It is not foreseeable if we will get it to work correctly."

?? There is a Windows and a Linux version of Salome-Meca. To install the Windows version, all you have to do is download and unzip a ZIP folder. The software can then be started directly. A single command needs to be entered into the terminal to install the Linux version. This is provided on the download page.

?? "Open source simulation software is difficult to use and requires programming skills."

?? The user interface of Salome_Meca is completely graphical and intuitive to use after a short training period. Our training courses are mainly attended by constructors and development engineers from small and medium-sized companies. Almost all participants can build simulation models on their own after the first day, even though they do not have any programming skills. (By the way: Our next introductory training will take place from 11/11/20 to 13/11/20 in our classrooms in Brilon. If you are interested, have a look in the flyer with booking informations: Link to the flyer!)

?? "The range of functions in open source simulation software is limited and not extensive enough for industrial use. This is why it is not worthwhile to familiarize yourself with it, because more complex models have to be switched to commercial software anyway."

?? I have been working with the open source simulation software Salome_Meca for about eight years. During this time, I used Salome_Meca in particular for virtual product development and product and process optimization in small and medium-sized industrial companies. From normal strength calculations and forming simulation to topology optimization, I was able to solve all of my customers' questions with open source simulation software. I think this is a meaningful field test that refutes this prejudice!

?? "Open source simulation software does not provide valid results and can therefore not be used for e.g. strength reports."

?? For some open source tools, this is the case. However, the Open Source FE solver Code_Aster is implemented in Salome_Meca. Code_Aster was developed by EDF for the design of nuclear power plants. Code_Aster is developed by a team of around 50 simulation experts. Each new version is validated with over 5,000 benchmark tests before it is released. My experience with strength reports for pressure equipment is that the software is accepted by all relevant test centers (e.g. TüV) without any complaints.

?? "In commercial programs there are interfaces with which components can be imported from CAD programs. This is not possible with open source software."

?? Salome_Meca has various interfaces for importing and exporting 3D CAD data, above all STEP, IGES, STL.

?? "The software companies offer training, support and extensive user manuals for there commercial simulation software. When using open source simulation software, you are on your own."

?? There is a very extensive user manual for Salome_Meca. In addition, there is a high ammount of high-quality, but free, teaching material for open source simulation software. For Salome_Meca there are e.g. loads of YouTube tutorials and even a free book. If you need to move forward quickly, you can attend our training courses and take advantage of our support. Of course, this is not cost-free, but this is the same in case of commercial software. For commercial software, you pay the costs for training and support and also pay the license fees. With open source software, you only pay the cost of training and support. And that is only the case if the free teaching materials are not enough for you.

My appeal to you:

Give open source simulation software a chance.

It is better to invest your budget in training your employees to become simulation engineers than in high license fees.

Do you know any other prejudices I forgot? Do you have any questions or would you like to find out more? Use the comment function or write me a message.

I look forward to a lively discussion.