2D electromagnetic FEA for electric motors
Finite element analysis of motors, generators, actuators and transformers — free to start
Magnetostatic, time-harmonic and transient 2D magnetics, planar or axisymmetric: sliding-band motion without remeshing, field-circuit coupling, saturating and anisotropic materials, a thermal module, second-order elements and a Python API. Windows, no licence key needed for the free tier.
Key Capabilities
Magnetostatic, Time-Harmonic & Transient Solvers
Static, time-harmonic and step-by-step transient 2D magnetics, planar or axisymmetric, with first- and second-order (P2) elements
Motion Without Remeshing
Rotary and linear motion via a sliding band, including multiple simultaneous zones — two rotors, a rotor and a linear mover, or a magnetic gear — with no mesh distortion
Circuit-Coupled Simulation
Field-circuit coupled solves with R, L, C, sources and switches, wired directly to coils and squirrel-cage rotor bars
Thermal Module
Steady-state and transient heat conduction on the same mesh, driven by the field solution's own Joule and iron losses
Nonlinear & Anisotropic Materials
BH-curve saturation, permanent-magnet demagnetisation risk, and anisotropic permeability for laminated and oriented steel
Python API & MCP Automation
Drive Nabla headlessly for parametric sweeps and batch studies, or let an LLM build and run models through the MCP server
Applications
Motor Analysis
Design and analyze electric motors and generators
Electromagnetic Devices
Simulate transformers, inductors, and other EM devices
Linear Motors
Model linear motor systems for transportation and automation
Example Library
Eight ready-to-open machine models ship with Nabla — surface-magnet, spoke, Halbach, buried V-magnet and outrunner PMSMs, and squirrel-cage induction machines with skewed rotor bars. Each one is rebuilt from nothing by the Python script beside it, and each publishes the results, figures and PDF report that run produced.
How it works, written up
Working notes from Nabla's own development — the method, why that method, what it measured out at, and where it stops working. Far-field boundaries that match a 20×-radius air box at 3×. Second-order elements whose coarse mesh beats a 4×-finer first-order one. Two rotors in one model.