An increasing number of vehicle models are being launched on the market in ever shorter innovation cycles. This demands the fastest possible validation of the vehicle designs with regard to customer requirements, functionality, producibility and compliance with statutory requirements during the early development phase. This is where the joint offering from Fast Concept Modelling & Simulation (FCMS) GmbH and TECOSIM comes into play: TEC|CONCEPT is a new method for analyzing and recalculating complete vehicle designs or individual module designs that significantly speeds up the virtual development process.

TEC|CONCEPT allows diverse and complex requirements, such as quality, weight, stiffness and crash behavior, to be integrated early in the development process. In addition, the possible impact of individual process-specific aspects, such as paintwork adhesion, deep drawability, casting and cost increases, can be taken into account during virtual recalculation. The CATIA-CAA-based Fast Concept Modelling (FCM) software is used for interdisciplinary harmonization between simulation and design engineering.

The FCM tool suite supports the simple, rapid creation of geometrical models and the automatic export of FE models for crash, NVH and static analyses. The use of a parametric CAD model allows a large number of possible designs to be created automatically within a short period of time. "Whereas before five or six optimization geometries were calculated, TEC|CONCEPT now allows over 100 new concept solutions," says Udo Jankowski, Member of the Management Board at TECOSIM. For automakers and their system suppliers this not only means savings in terms of time and money, but also a product advantage over the competition.

TEC|CONCEPT marks another milestone in the cooperation between the two companies. To date, FCMS and TECOSIM have helped develop the StreetScooter electric car, which is now part of Deutsche Post's fleet of vehicles, and worked together on a joint Robust Design Optimization project at MAN Bus & Truck, to name just a few. In Japan, the internationally sought-after CAE specialist acts as a reseller for CONTACT's subsidiary, and it is using the FCM tool suite at several automobile manufacturers. "Together, we can provide the mobility industry with a unique offering," says Maximilian Zachries, General Manager of FCMS GmbH. "TEC|CONCEPT enables companies to move more rapidly from the initial product idea to functionally validated model variants and concepts. This improves the productivity of their innovation processes and creates clear competitive advantages."

A short video about TEC|CONCEPT and further information about the FCM tool suite can be found at http://www.fcm-s.com/en/customer-benefits/.