NAFEMS PSE Certification€¦ · relevant standards, such as BS 7910, API 579, R6 and BS 7608. Moreover, TWI has been increasingly providing advanced modelling support for micro-mechanics,

NAFEMS PSECertification at TWITyler London, TWI Ltd.

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TWI is one of the world’s foremost independentresearch and technology organisations, withexpertise in materials joining and engineering

processes. TWI specialises in innovation, knowledgetransfer and in solving problems across all aspects ofmanufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integritymanagement.

Established in Cambridge, UK in 1946, the organisationhas gained a first-class reputation for service through itsteams of respected consultants, scientists, engineersand support staff. Now approaching 1000 employees, itworks with over 1800 Industrial Member companies in 70countries.

At TWI, Finite Element Analysis is widely used to helporganisations achieve their most critical objectives fromthe optimisation of processes and product performanceto the investigation of failures.

TWI aims to support its customers with:

• Introduction of materials and processes for new orexisting products

• Integration of novel production solutions

• Root cause analysis after the failure of productsduring fabrication or in-service

• Demonstration of structural integrity for componentsand assemblies

• Staff competence through relevant, tailored andeffective training

• World-class expertise to support litigation processes.

To provide this support, TWI’s Numerical Modelling andOptimisation team use FEA to simulate the behaviour ofstructures under static, dynamic and cyclic loads,including the analysis of the welding processes fordistortion and residual stresses.

As part of TWI’s structural integrity support, the teamregularly models inspection and testing procedures for

Engineering Critical Assessments (ECAs - also known asFitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments) required by therelevant standards, such as BS 7910, API 579, R6 and BS7608. Moreover, TWI has been increasingly providingadvanced modelling support for micro-mechanics,design optimisation and additive manufacturing toindustrial partners looking to introduce disruptivetechnologies into their workflows.

A group of eight finite element analysts from TWI withdiverse backgrounds from mathematics to aerospaceengineering and professional experience ranging from 2to 30 years recently received NAFEMS PSE accreditation.

For TWI, the key motivators for using PSE Certificationwere to:

• Provide independent, external certification thatdemonstrates the high standard of internationalcompetency that TWI can offer for modellingsolutions

• Enable structured continuous professionaldevelopment for analysts through the NAFEMS PSECompetency Tracker and Certification.

Due to having modelling staff at three different sitesaround the UK (Cambridge, Middlesbrough and PortTalbot), the PSE interviews were conducted by videoconference. This flexibility was highly beneficial for TWIas it was minimally disruptive to the applicants’ normalwork whilst still enabling effective communication duringthe interview process. TWI staff received Advanced Levelcertification in over eight different topic areas coveringthermo-mechanical behaviour, composite materials,fatigue and fracture mechanics. The entire process waspositive for TWI and has generated stimulatingdiscussions about how to integrate increasingly complexmodelling solutions into longer-term business plans.

Achieving PSE Certification demonstrates TWI’scommitment to providing high quality modelling forindustries where quality assurance, product safety andstructural integrity are the key drivers. �

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“Achieving these accreditations enables our FiniteElement Analysts to demonstrate that they havebeen externally verified to a high standard ofinternational competency, reflecting theknowledge and experience they have acquiredduring their professional careers to date across arange of specialist areas within the discipline ofnumerical modelling and optimisation.”

Tat-Hean GanBusiness Group Manager, Integrity Management, TWI