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MSC Software

SoftwareNewport Beach, CA, USAFounded 1963· One of 350 Software companies tracked by AMPulse

Provides simulation software for additive manufacturing, including Simufact Additive for metal AM process simulation and MSC Apex Generative Design for optimizing 3D printed parts, enabling first-time-right production and reducing physical prototyping costs.

CEO / Founder
Paolo Guglielmini
Team Size
1001-5000
Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
Undisclosed
Latest Round
Acquired
Key Investors
Symphony Technology Group; Elliott Management; Hexagon AB

Technology & Products

Key Products

MSC Software offers a wide range of CAE solutions including MSC Nastran for structural analysis, MSC Apex for generative design and simulation (with features like NURBS retransition, Design Space Tool, Symmetry Constraint, and Machining Allowance), Simufact Additive for metal AM process simulation (supporting laser powder bed fusion and metal binder jetting, with features like machining simulation and advanced support structure generation), and Adams for multi-body dynamics simulation. They also provide solutions for acoustics, fluid dynamics, and material design.

Technological Advantage

Proprietary simulation algorithms validated by customer case studies (e.g., Markforged partnership showing 30% material savings), with defensible advantage through Hexagon's broad CAE patent portfolio and data integration across design-to-manufacturing.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces AM production costs by up to 40% through virtual simulation, cutting lead times from weeks to days by predicting and preventing defects like warping and distortion before printing, validated by partnerships with companies like Markforged.

How They Differentiate

MSC Software differentiates itself through specialized AM simulation tools like Simufact Additive, which offers features such as machining simulation, enhanced metal binder jetting, and advanced support structure generation. MSC Apex Generative Design provides an efficient and fast optimization workflow with NURBS retransition, a Design Space Tool for part consolidation, Symmetry Constraint for faster calculations, and a Machining Allowance tool for print-ready files. These tools enable faster setup, reduced CAE modeling and process time, and integration with Hexagon's metrology for closed-loop quality control, unlike broader simulation suites.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Engineers and manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors using additive manufacturing for structural components.

Industry Verticals

Aerospace; Automotive; Industrial Manufacturing; Medical; Defense

Competitors

Ansys, Altair, ESI Group

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Revenue was $230M in 2016 with 1,400 employees across 20 countries; part of Hexagon's $21.6B market cap division.

Major Milestones

Founded in 1963 as MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation; Acquired by Hexagon AB in 2017 for $834M; Launched Simufact Additive 3 in 2020 for metal AM simulation; Partnership with Markforged in 2019 for composite 3D printing validation

Notable Customers

Airbus; Boeing; General Electric; Rolls-Royce; BMW; Ford; Toyota; Siemens; NASA; Lockheed Martin

https://www.mscsoftware.com

Why this company matters

MSC Software provides simulation software for additive manufacturing, focusing on metal processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), directed energy deposition (DED), and metal binder jetting. Its Simufact Additive tool simulates the entire build process to predict and prevent defects like warping and distortion, aiming for first-time-right production. The company claims this virtual approach can reduce AM production costs by up to 40% and cut lead times from weeks to days.

The company's MSC Apex Generative Design platform optimizes part topologies specifically for AM, with features including NURBS retransition, a Design Space Tool for part consolidation, Symmetry Constraint for faster calculations, and a Machining Allowance tool to produce print-ready files. These tools are integrated within Hexagon's broader manufacturing intelligence ecosystem, which includes metrology for closed-loop quality control.

MSC Software targets engineers and manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, industrial, medical, and defense sectors. Named customers include Airbus, Boeing, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Ford, Toyota, Siemens, NASA, and Lockheed Martin. A partnership with Markforged validated the software's ability to achieve 30% material savings in composite 3D printing applications.

Founded in 1963 as MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation and acquired by Hexagon AB in 2017 for $834 million, MSC Software competes with Ansys, Altair, and ESI Group. Its differentiation lies in specialized AM simulation features such as machining simulation, advanced support structure generation, and enhanced metal binder jetting capabilities, combined with integration across Hexagon's design-to-manufacturing data pipeline.