FEMFAT Software

Finite Element Method based Fatigue Analysis

FEMFAT performs fatigue analyses in combination with widely used finite element programs. Interfaces to multibody, optimization and measurement systems ensure full and convenient integration into the customers’ CAE processes. FEMFAT software provides engineers with reliable information on the fatigue life of structures to improve critical locations and/or reduce the total weight at an early stage of the design process, long before time-consuming and expensive tests are scheduled. This results in high quality prototypes and less testing effort.

FEMFAT is a software product of Magna Powertrain. DESIGNTEC is a partner of Magna Powertrain and promotes FEMFAT in Czechia and Slovakia.

FEMFAT Modules

Standard/Minimum configuration; includes all the interfaces and material database, handles 2 stress states plus one assembly loadcase for life- or safety factor analysis

Module to consider the effect of mean stress rearrangement from linear stresses when local plastic deformation occurs.

A software module for assessing damage from measured strains and comparing stresses from FEA and testing.

A software module for assessing static safety factors in combination with BASIC or MAX.

For low cycle fatigue analysis of components which are exposed to thermo mechanical loads (e.g. cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds) and suffer from mechanical, creep and oxidation damage.

Module for fatigue analysis of MultiAXially loaded components using time histories of loads or series of stress states.

Random response fatigue analysis using PSD (Power Spectral Densities) loads.

Module for fatigue analysis of welding seams for steel and aluminum using notch stress method and standards (DIN 15018, EUROCODE 3 and 9, BS 7608, IIW).

Module for predicting fatigue of spot-joints (welds, rivets) in FE-shell structures.

A software module for fatigue life prediction on layered infinite fiber reinforced materials.

Fast 3D postprocessor to display FE-models, fatigue results and stresses including a feature to generate animations and to display 3D models in PowerPoint. Unmatched for weldseam definition.

FEMFAT Interfaces

Abaqus • ADAMS • ADVC • ANSYS • COSMOS • CREO • DIADEM • DIGIMAT • HYPERMESH • I-DEAS • LS-DYNA • MARC • MEDINA • MoldFlow • MotionSolve • NASTRAN • nCode • Optistruct • PATRAN • PERMAS • Pro/MECHANICA • Radioss • RPC • SIMPACK • TECMAT • TOSCA

Your Benefits

Efficiency and high quality are an absolute must for all our customers, from ALSTOM to YAMAHA. And this is exactly what FEMFAT stands for as a leading fatigue analysis code. Not only the automotive industry benefits from highlights like:

Fatigue life, damage and safety factors for all types of load
Comprehensive FEM-interfaces/material database
Open SPOT and WELD database
FEMFAT Datacrypt for the encryption of ASCII files (e.g. confidential material data set) into binary format
Direct and fast visualization
Assess linear or nonlinear FEM stresses from static or dynamic analysis
More than 500 material datasets and material generator
Interfaces for importing load histories from multi body simulations and measurements
Full choice of inﬂuence parameters on fatigue analysis
Renewables Certification by GL Industrial Services GmbH
Faster results by parallelized analyses
Flexible licensing: purchase, lease or internet license (pay per use)

Frequently asked questions

New to FEMFAT, or already running ANSYS and wondering how fatigue analysis actually fits in? Below you’ll find answers on what sets FEMFAT apart from general FEA tools, how licensing works through us as Magna Powertrain’s CZ/SK partner, and which module and CAE integration fit your setup. Answered directly, without sales language.

What is FEMFAT and why do engineers consider it the industry standard?

FEMFAT is software for fatigue life assessment based on FEM calculation results, developed by Magna Powertrain. It is used in automotive and other industrial sectors for service life prediction of structures and components across the full range of operating loads.

What FEMFAT does differently from general FEA tools:

Works directly with FEM calculation outputs — no need to recalculate or reformat data
Covers the full spectrum of fatigue analyses — from basic service life assessment through multiaxial loading, welds, and spot joints to thermomechanical fatigue and spectral analyses
Contains a database of more than 500 material datasets and an open database format for custom materials
Has direct interfaces to all major FEA tools — ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, NASTRAN, Optistruct, HyperMesh, and dozens of others

Benefit for your project:

More on how we handle fatigue analyses in practice in the [Fatigue Assessment] section

Fatigue analysis results are comparable to what the largest players in automotive and mechanical engineering use — this is the standard approach in the industry

How can I obtain FEMFAT — are you resellers or just users?

Both — this combination of roles has concrete practical value for you.

What this means:

DESIGNTEC is the official distribution partner of Magna Powertrain for the Czech Republic and Slovakia — you can purchase a FEMFAT licence directly from us
At the same time, we use FEMFAT daily on real projects — we’re not just intermediaries but active users of the tool
When purchasing a licence, you gain a partner who actually works with the tool, knows its capabilities and limits, and can advise you on deployment and module configuration

Your result:

Licence and specialist support from a single partner — no need to handle technical queries through the manufacturer’s remote support

Which FEMFAT modules are available and which do I need?

FEMFAT covers a wide range of tasks through specialised modules.

Overview of main modules:

BASIC — base configuration, interface and material database, service life and safety factor assessment
MAX — multiaxial loading via time histories or sequences of stress states
SPECTRAL — random loading via power spectral density (PSD)
HEAT — thermomechanical fatigue for components subjected to thermal cycles — cylinder heads, exhaust systems
WELD — weld joint fatigue for steel and aluminium to DIN 15018, Eurocode 3 and 9, IIW
SPOT — fatigue prediction for spot joints — welds, rivets — in shell FE models
LAMINATE — service life prediction for layered composite materials with continuous fibres
BREAK — static safety factors in combination with BASIC or MAX

What this means for you:

Module selection depends on your specific use case — we are happy to recommend an optimal configuration after reviewing your brief

Does FEMFAT work directly within the ANSYS environment?

Yes — we have developed the ACT extension FEMFAT inside ANSYS, which integrates fatigue analyses directly into the ANSYS workflow.

What this means in practice:

The entire process from FEM calculation to fatigue life assessment runs in a single environment — no switching between applications
Simulation results feed directly into FEMFAT without manual data export and import
The extension was developed for Magna Powertrain Engineering Center Steyr and is deployed in a real industrial environment

Benefit for your project:

More on ACT integration options see in the ANSYS ACT Apps Development section

Which other CAE tools does FEMFAT work with?

FEMFAT has direct interfaces to the majority of commonly used FEA programs.

Supported interfaces include:

FEA tools — ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, NASTRAN, Optistruct, COSMOS, MARC, PERMAS, Radioss
Pre/post processors — HyperMesh, PATRAN, MEDINA
MBS tools — ADAMS, SIMPACK, MotionSolve
Optimisation tools — TOSCA, DIGIMAT, nCode
Measurement systems — RPC, DIADEM

What this means for you:

If you use a FEA tool other than ANSYS, FEMFAT most likely covers it — verify the specific version with us

Not sure whether it makes sense in your case? Send us a few sentences about the situation — we’ll give you a specific process proposal and indicative scope. If it doesn’t make sense, we’ll tell you that too.