CirVibe Inc.

CirVibe

PCB Mechanical Design (Vibration / shock), Mechanical Stress Screening (Reliability)

Product Description
Environmental Stress Screening vibration has been established as the most effective means of detecting mechanical production flaws. CirVibe was developed for establishing, evaluating and optimizing environmental vibration stress screens for assurance of quality of components, PWAs and electronic assemblies. However, its ease of use makes it an ideal tool for all stages of the design and development process including design ruggedization. CirVibe performs detailed Finite Element Analysis (FEA), but is not a typical FEA program. Methods used in CirVibe were developed by a team of engineers including test, analysis, reliability and production specialists, with the primary goal of product understanding. FEA model generation is highly automated. Automated model generation, modal analysis, detailed component stress calculations and fatigue evaluations are performed from simple geometric descriptions of the hardware. The interface with Mentor Graphics further simplifies the analysis setup. CirVibe methods provide product understanding during demanding product development schedules.

CirVibe's highly automated pre- and post- processors eliminate the need for a user to be a FEA specialist, yet FEA specialists can use CirVibe for time saving advantages. Time is spent evaluating and applying results, rather than spent with input detail and error chasing. The ease of analysis permits evaluation of parameters, support modes, and component position for developing optimum screens or for obtaining maximum life when used during the design process. Since actual test data can be entered into CirVibe, fatigue damage differences due to changes in frequency or transmissibility response of test units can be easily evaluated. By concentrating on the results, the user can gain an understanding of life-usage and draw on experience to optimize environmental stress screens or optimize design capabilities. The ability to rapidly analyze variations in support conditions and vibration requirements make CirVibe an ideal tool for evaluation of Commercial Off The Shelf , COTS hardware.

Benefits to End User of Product and Interface to MGC

• Simulate product prior to hardware availability, capability to include actual test data after hardware available.
• Optimize stress screening for effectiveness
• Reduce Environmental Stress Screen costs, Development Costs, and time to market
• Increase Product Reliability

Company Background
CirVibe develops tools for mechanical design development of electronic systems. Methods developed by CirVibe concentrate on obtaining product and process understanding essential to development of a quality product. CirVibe's web site is at http://www.cirvibe.com.

Description of Integration
The Uni-directional interface with Mentor Graphics allows geometric data required by CirVibe to be read directly from Mentor Graphics Board Station. Board shape, component details and positions are transferred into CirVibe for use in detailed analysis.

Platforms Supported

Distribution and Contact Information

CirVibe and the CirVibe Uni-directional Interface are sold and supported directly by Cir Vibe Inc.