Intellectual Property Office

Non-Confidential Disclosures

"PSU-FEM V1.0 - A 3-D Finite Element Analysis of Powder Compaction"

PSU Inv. Disc. No 99-S037

Inventors:

V. M. Puri and L. Huang

Background:

Finite Element Modeling (FEM) of compact powder is not unique to a single use or industry. Software specifically designed for FEM has many applications in a number of different industries: chemical, pharmaceutical, ceramic, cosmetic, foods, and powdered metals. The current software used by these industries for modeling compressed powder products, however, is complicated to use and limited in the types of shapes that it can simulate. Current software programs require specific training to master the simulation process and thus limit the number of their users. A trained operator then has to ignore the details of complex shapes and make assumptions about three-dimensional (3-D) products to use the two-dimensional (2-D) simulation software.

Invention description:

Researchers at Penn State University have developed a novel software program that is capable of 3-D simulation of the compaction of dry powder product manufacture. Modeling of irregular and polygonal shapes is much enhanced with the 3-D FEM ability. The program is capable of calculating a Cam-Clay model, an Adachi and Oka model, or elasticity analysis in simulations. Our researchers believe that the program is an easy to use software package that is intended for operation on a personal computer by an employee with little computer expertise. Current software requirements for FEM package: 1. Operating system of Windows NT, '95, '98 or 2000 2. Visual BASIC Professional V5.0 3. Minitab or Microsoft Excel is also recommended

Contact:

Mathew D. Smith
Sr. Technology Licensing Officer
Intellectual Property Office
113 Technology Center
The Pennsylvania State Univ.
University Park, PA 16802-7000
Phone: (814) 863-1122
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail: mds126@psu.edu