modeFRONTIER

a multi-objective optimization & design environment

Introducing modeFRONTIER
modeFRONTIER is a multi-objective optimization and design environment, written to allow easy coupling to almost any
computer aided engineering (CAE) tool, whether commercial or in-house. As the name suggests, modeFRONTIER
provides an environment which allows product engineers and designers to integrate their various CAE tools, such as
CAD, Finite Element Structural Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. Using a variety of state-ofthe-art optimization techniques, ranging from gradient-based methods to genetic algorithms, the process or design of
interest can be optimized by specifying objectives and defining variables which affect factors such as geometric shape
and operating conditions. modeFRONTIER in effect becomes a wrapper around the CAE tool, performing the
optimization by modifying the value assigned to the input variables, and monitoring the outputs.
The figure on the right shows a simple
example of both process integration and
optimization; the process integration
involves a CAD program feeding its
output (e.g. in IGES format) to a mesh
generation program, which in turn
passes a file containing the mesh
created to an analysis program. The
optimization here involves 2 input
variables (Var1 and Var2) which are
entered into the CAD model through the
CAD Input File. The optimizer (here we
chose MOGA-II) controls the CAD
program, to try to achieve the 2
objectives (Maximization of Quantity 1
and Minimization of Quantity 2) while
preserving the constraint on Quantity 3.
Main Features:
Robust Design Analyses
Design of Experiment (DOE)
Evolution Strategies
NLPQLP
Game Theory

Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Multi-objective Genetic Algorithms
Neural Networks
Automatic Report Generation
etc

modeFRONTIER, being written entirely in Java, is extremely portable to almost any platform, including Windows 2000,
Windows XP, Linux, and various UNIX versions. The program can also be used across networks, whether
homogeneous or heterogeneous.
Applications
modeFRONTIER is being used at companies such as DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Ford, Ferrari and Petrobras for a wide
variety of applications such as:
Powertrain Optimization
Inlet Ducts (3D CFD)
Water Jackets (CFD)
Exhaust Ducts (CFD)
Whole Engine (1D)
Crank Train Vibration
Common Rail Injection
Variable Valve Actuation Systems
Automatic Calibration of Real-Time
Control System

Combustion
Burners Pre-mixer for Gas Turbine
Complex Chemistry Reactions
Power Plants and Heat Exchangers
Heat Exchanger for Domestic Boilers
Axisymmetric Fin Design for Heat Exchangers
Evaporator Geometry
Domestic Refrigerator Thermal Analysis
Multibody, Crash, Structural, Vibro-Acoustics
Automotive Braking System
Vehicle Comfort-Handling
Racing Vehicle Suspension
Vacuum Bell
Electromagnetic Actuator
Frontal Frame Crash
Multi-Physics

Aerospace
CFD/Structure Interaction on Wing
Flap Splitting and Wing Setting
Shape Analysis of Airfoil Profile
Ramjet-Powered Missile
Supersonic Transport Airplane Studies
Turbomachinery
Centrifugal Compressor
Axial Turbine
Axial Compressor
Turbine single stage 2D Steady and Unsteady
Turbine 2 stage, 2D Unsteady
Experimental Applications
Washing Machine Experimental Assessment
Burners Modeling and Prediction Studies

Biomedical Engineering
Hip prosthesis
Marine
Ship Hull Design
Wave Wash Minimization
Stabilizing Fin
3D Full Ship Study
Ship Structure Optimisation
Wave-Platform Interaction

Manufacturing
Injection Molding for Automotive Components
Metal Casting
Metal Sheet Forming and Thermo-Forming

modeFRONTIER has been successfully run the most commonly used CAE software, including:
Abaqus
Adams
Ansys
Amesim
Boost
Bricks
CADFix
Cadmold
Carsim
CATIA
CFX

Condor
Dymola
Epanet
Excel (Direct)
Excite
Femlab
Fidap
Flowmaster
Fluent
Gambit
GiD

Gridgen
GT-Power
GT-Suite
HISSD
Hydsim
Loadleveler
ICEM
IDeas
Lagrange
Ldyn
LS-Dyna

LSF
MACsurf
Madymo
Magma
MARC
Matlab (Direct)
Modelica
Nastran
NQS
Patran
Paramesh

Pro-E
Radioss
Samcef
Simulink (Direct)
Star-CD
Sun GridEngine
Sysnoise
Tascflow
Unigraphics
Wamit
Wave

Contact us:
ES.TEC.O. s.r.l.
Area Science Park
Padriciano, 99
34012 Trieste
Italy
Tel: +39 040 3755548

Esteco Inc
1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 900
Miami
FL 33131
USA
Tel: +1 305 995 8205

www.esteco.com