AFGROW Training
AFGROW Standard Training classes are offered in the Dayton, OH area each year (usually in the Spring and Fall). Additional training classes are also available if there is sufficient demand. Training notices are posted and announced to AFGROW Users a few months in advance.
Over the last 10 years, LexTech has provided AFGROW training to more than 600 engineers. We offer training to a broad range of clientele including government agencies, universities, corporations, small businesses and individuals alike. A partial list of the companies who have sent employees to one of our classes or have hosted AFGROW training, along with a few recent testimonials, is provided below. In addition to training at our Dayton, OH location, we have conducted over 30 onsite training classes in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and for companies and government agencies such as USAF, NAVAIR, TAI, Airbus Group Australia Pacific, Bell Helicopter, Northrop Grumman, and Pilatus.
AFGROW Standard Training Classes
This 4-day AFGROW standard training class is recommended for students who are interested in learning the fundamentals of linear elastic fracture mechanics and how AFGROW may be used to make crack growth life predictions.
The class will review LEFM principles used by AFGROW and explain all its features and capabilities. In addition, training will be provided on how to use our Spectrum Manager software. Spectrum Manager may be used to generate loading information required by AFGROW. Training includes several life prediction examples that will reinforce the classroom training. At the end of the class, students will have a good understanding of how AFGROW works and be able to perform life predictions for classic and some advanced crack growth scenarios. This includes some multiple crack geometries.
A general introduction to COM automation training will be provided to familiarize students with the automation capability to perform crack growth analysis for multiple crack locations and optimization purposes.
A description of the material to be covered each day is provided below.
Day 1: LEFM fundamentals, AFGROW GUI interface, and Spectrum Generation
The purpose of this training is to provide an overview of the basic fracture mechanics methods used by AFGROW. This will include some example problems. This is followed by an explanation of the GUI interface used to build the input data required for the life prediction process. Finally, an explanation of the loading spectrum will be provided, and students will be given a hands-on introduction to our Spectrum Manager software.
Day 2: Stress Intensity Solutions and Crack Growth Rate Models
This training will review stress intensity solutions and crack growth rate models available in AFGROW. AFGROW includes several stress intensity solutions for common crack configurations. These include part-through and through cracks in flat plates, holes, pipes, and lugs. There are several standard solutions as well as solutions that are compliant with the API-579 pipeline standard. In addition, solutions for advanced (multiple cracks) models are available. The available crack growth rate models will also be presented in detail. Students will perform a manual curve fitting exercise to create a tabular crack growth rate model that can be used in AFGROW.
Day 3: Additional AFGROW Capabilities and Tools
There are several additional tools and capabilities available in AFGROW that can enhance and improve the life prediction process. The following capabilities will be covered in this training:
- Stress State and Failure Criteria
- Load Interaction Models
- Modeling Residual Stresses
- User-Defined Preferences
- Creating Advanced Models
- Continuing Damage Modeling
- Crack Initiation
- Corrosion Models
Students will perform four crack growth life prediction examples that utilize all of the major features and capabilities of AFGROW.
Day 4: Tips/Tricks, AFMAT Database, and Introduction to COM Automation Using AFGROW
Students will be given several tips and tricks that may be helpful in modeling more complex problems. A demonstration of the on-line fracture mechanics (AFMAT) database will be provided to show students how to use the database to obtain material data used in the life prediction process. The AFGROW COM automation process will be explained, and students will participate in several hands-on examples of the use of AFGROW from Microsoft Excel. These examples are designed to show students how the automation process may be helpful in performing repetitive tasks and optimization processes.
AFGROW Training is also available at your location on request. We offer 4-day, 3-day and 2.5-day standard classes with maximum of 16 participants. A 2.5-day class covers the material offered in the 3-day class with the following exceptions:
- No crack growth rate class example
- No class homework
- The scope of the Plug-In demonstration is reduced
The 4-day
class syllabus and 2.5-day
class syllabus are available to provide information on the topics covered in class.
AFGROW Avanced Training Classes
This 4-day AFGROW advanced class is recommended for students who have completed the 4-day AFGROW standard training class. Students who have not attended the 4-day training class, but have practical experience using AFGROW will be able to benefit from this class.
The class will familiarize students with our Fracture Mechanics Database and will provide more advanced training on how these data can be used with AFGROW. This will include customized data searches, advanced curve fitting, formatting, and validation. This class will also include spectrum generation examples using our Spectrum Manager tool. In addition, load interaction models will be explored in detail, and instructions on the use of interaction model parameters to fit test data will be provided. Practical life prediction examples will include wing attach fittings, multiple load path, and multiple crack problems.
Advanced COM automation training will be provided to assist students in complex and repetitive life prediction tasks.
A description of the material to be covered each day is provided below.
Day 1: Creating crack growth rate models using the fracture mechanics database (table lookup and another model)
The purpose of this training is to become familiar with the on-line fracture mechanics database and develop a clear understanding of how to use the data to develop a working crack growth rate model for use in AFGROW. Raw crack growth rate data are fairly limited, due to the time required to perform tests. Therefore, it is important to understand how to make the most effective use of available data. Students will learn how to interpret, validate, format, and import the data to AFGROW. Students will use the data to predict crack growth behavior under constant amplitude loading and compare the results to actual test data.
Day 2: Using Spectrum Manager and load interaction models to predict crack growth life for variable amplitude loading spectra
This training will provide students with a working knowledge of the five load interaction models that are available in AFGROW. This will include a review of the AFGROW spectrum format and retardation models. The purpose of load interaction modeling is to account for the effect of loading history on the crack growth life of a structure. There is not a single load interaction model that has been shown to work effectively for all materials and loading sequences. Different empirical models have been developed over the years that have been used by Government and industry to obtain reasonable results under different conditions. This training will provide students with a good understanding of how each model works, the strengths and weaknesses, and hands-on examples of how to use each model to account for spectrum, time dependence, and corrosion effects.
Day 3: Advanced AFGROW COM API programming
One of the most powerful capabilities of AFGROW is COM automation. This allows a user to perform tasks with AFGROW that would not be practical with the standard user interface. Students will learn to use AFGROW COM interface methods, properties and events to modify AFGROW model, materials, prediction parameters, beta correction and other AFGROW functions. This training will provide hands-on instruction on AFGROW COM API programming.
At the end of day 3, students will be able to:
- Use COM to control AFGROW and perform repetitive tasks
- Create a different stress intensity factor solution/continued damage model using COM API
- Create a GUI to use AFGROW with Excel
Day 4: Life Prediction Process for Aircraft Control Points
The process for control point selection will be demonstrated for a finite element model of atypical airframe structural component. Students will learn how to select an appropriate reference stress and how to build an example loading spectrum. Modeling complex structural geometries can be very challenging because the stress intensity solution may not be known, and a user may not know how to use existing models to closely approximate the best solution. Students will learn how to use the capabilities of AFGROW to create solutions that closely approximate the exact solution for a given geometry. The students will automate the analysis process using COM.
Advanced classes description and syllabus are available for to download
The price of the advanced training is $350.00 per day per registration.
Please
contact LexTech, Inc.
to make arrangements.
Testimonies
“I want to thank you for the AFGROW training that I followed with you last week. It was very useful for the understanding in the use of AFGROW, and this training was beyond my expectations.
I also want to thank you for having spent time with me when I had problems of understanding, problems due to my French version of Excel, and especially for your kindness and the good atmosphere during this training.”
Alain Lecomte, Air France Industries
“The class is excellent and very useful. It was extremely helpful, and I recommend it to all AFGROW users.”
Shaun Liu, Pacific Technology LLC
“AFGROW is the best value for money product in its field out there. Alex/Jim make a great team and the … training I had with them was excellent and very helpful. Our user base within company has increased from a few to late teens now and we look forward to taking it even higher”
Roopam Khare, Ph. D., Caterpillar Inc
“…I would like to compliment you and your team for the excellent training provided during the AFGROW Basic Training class. The class was definitely time well spent. Instructions and training were very practical and covered a broad range of topics in detail. The combination of instruction and hands-on practice did a great job reinforcing the concepts. I will highly recommend AFGROW, your training, and expertise given the opportunity.”
Paul V. Sickles, PE, Stream-Lion Design, LLC
AFGROW training participants companies
AAR, Aerokam Engineering, Aerotechnica SAS, Air France, Airbus Group Australia Pacific, Airworks Slr, AVCORP, Belcan, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, BYU, CAStLE, Caterpillar, Cessna, Circor Aerospace, Comtek, Elbit - Cyclone, Endeavor Analysis, Gulfstream, Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych, Jet Aviation, Kallita Air, L-3 Communications, Lambda Technologies, LET Aircraft Industries, Live TV, Lockheed Martin, Microcraft, NAVAIR, Northrop Grumman, NTSB, Pilatus, Purdue University, RUAG, SAAB, SAFE, Samco Aircraft Maintenance, Spirit Aero, ST Aerospace, STM, Stream-Lion Design, SwRI, TAI, United Airlines, University of Texas at San Antonio , UPS Airlines, USAF, USAF Academy, Vought Aircraft, VZLU, ZHAW
