NEi Software (NEi), announced the release of NEi Fusion 2.0, a unique combination of Nastran FEA solvers and 3D modeler powered by SolidWorks®. The NEi Fusion 2.0 upgrade adds several types of advanced modal and heat transfer analyses, new element types, new load capabilities, and support for hyperelastic and orthotropic composite materials. A brochure describing the new features and enhancements in detail along with a 90-second video demonstration of the product is at www.NEiSoftware.com/NEiFusion. NEi Fusion is used by product development professionals like CAD Designers and Product Engineers to compress design time, cut prototyping and testing costs, and improve quality. The product is also of interest to FE analysts who like the option of a pre-post tool with a 3D CAD orientation and CAD/FEA model associativity, and consultants who need a Nastran solution in their simulation software portfolio. The new NEi Fusion release provides an alternative to "In-CAD" FEA offerings in the designer/product engineer segment of the simulation software market. NEi Fusion offers these users a combination of: comprehensive 3D CAD environment for model creation, professional level FEA capabilities with high accuracy solvers, surface contact, optimization, composites, Automated Impact Analysis (AIA™), and a future growth path to analyst level simulation if needed via the Nastran solver platform. All at a competitive price point to "In-CAD" FEA.

Several industry writers have review articles on NEi Software's offering in the market for design-stage FEA. Vince Adams, co-author of the book Building Better Products with Finite Element Analysis, commented on the product positioning:

NEi Fusion 2.0 has managed to fill the void between complete yet expensive simulation systems and inexpensive yet limited tools. Any design engineer struggling with the limitations of complex interfaces or limited capabilities should give NEi Fusion a hard look. While the product is based on established technologies, NEi Nastran and SolidWorks, the combination is new enough to show exciting improvements with every release.

While the basic structural tools are standard fare, where NEi Fusion gets interesting is in the deeper levels of functionality. A case in point is the impact analysis tool. From a deceptively simple input set, under the hood the system does some incredibly complex mathematics. The composites analysis tools make something that could be incredibly complex, much more streamlined to the process of design.