Altair Acquisition of MDS: Innovation in Composites

Altair is a CAE (computer aided engineering) software and HPC (high performance computing) technology vendor. Altair has been known for its HyperWorks simulation software and solidThinking design software for conceptual design. Its software portfolio addresses a wide spectrum of industries, especially in the simulation space.

Recently, Altair completed the acquisition of Multiscale Design Systems, developer of the MDS family of products. Over the years MDS has developed simulation software for multiscale modeling and microstructural optimization. 

Multiscale modeling is designed to help users determine the behavior of a material from its core atomic level. The target is to figure out system behavior or properties of any material by using data from different levels, so one can predict a products or systems properties based on the material and its atomic structure. In case of composites material, behavior of every strand can be predicted based on the atomic structure and in turn this behavior can can be used to predict the properties of composite material in its operating environment.

The MDS family of products are focused on micromechanics, microstructural optimization, and life prediction of complex materials.  The company's technology integrates modeling, simulation, testing, uncertainty quantification, and optimization of composite materials and structures at multiple spatial and temporal scales. MDS-C (Mutliscale Design System for linking Continuum Scales) is its featured product, a  plugin into several different commercial finite element software such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, LS-DYNA), offering mutliscale capabilities to commercial codes.

With Altair's acquisition of MDS now complete, end-user (designers and engineers) can expect new enhanced capabilities in the area of composites in future simulation software. These capabilities will be incorporated in in Altair HyperWorks suite. Users can also expect a much tighter integration with Altair solvers RADIOSS and OptiStruct.  MDS features will be incorporated in HyperWorks for all future enhancements and developments. While this acquisition will certainly enhance Altair’s capabilities to address the composite material market in automotive, aerospace, and defense, it will also benefit in other industry segments such as bio-medical.