FAQ - quick answers to frequently asked questions

System requirements current version MDESIGN 2026:

system (server, clients):

• Windows-compatible system
• Screen resolution: at least 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Hard disk capacity: max. 4 GB on the server or local workstation; max. 100 MB on the client
• RAM: at least 8 GB
• Workstation operating system: Windows 10, Windows 11
• Server operating systems: Windows Server 2019, 2022, 2025
• 64-bit versions of Windows

Firewall settings:

• Release of the applications lmgrd.exe and TEDATA64.exe via the Windows Firewall.
• The ports for incoming and outgoing traffic must be enabled for the hardware firewall.
• The vendor port is 28064.
• The following URLs must be allowed in the customer's firewall when working with MDESIGN 2026:
  • sxdms.sharepoint.com: MDESIGN Updates
  • *.mdesign.info: Manufacturer information, calculation information, hotline inquiries, and content pages
  • tedata.msconsulting.cloud: Customer Forum
  • mdesign.de: Content
  • tedata.app.n8n.cloud: Chatbot
  • *.mdesign.online: MDESIGN intelligence

Notes:
Operating environments such as Citrix, virtual machines, etc., may have limited functionality depending on Windows compatibility. Systems such as UNIX can be used as a “share” for the application server.

MDESIGN It also works fully even if the Windows operating system is running on a virtual machine. The prerequisite is that the virtualization environment matches the Windows system exactly.

MDESIGN 2026 Installation Guide

MDESIGN 2026 is a new and standalone version of the MDESIGN calculation software. It can be installed alongside all other previous versions of MDESIGN . Previous versions do not need to be uninstalled.

Older files can also be used in newer MDESIGN versions.

The HostID Wizard is available in MDESIGN only if MDESIGN was launched via the context menu using the "Run as Administrator" command.

The license can only be generated if the HostID file has been submitted to us in its entirety and in the correct format.

1. Launch MDESIGN by selecting "Run as administrator."
2. Under "Help," open the "HostID Wizard."
3. Please fill out the fields, including your customer number.
4. Save the HostID file in a directory of your choice.
5. Please email the file to service@mdesign.de.
6. Once authorization is complete, the license files will be sent to you by email.
7. After installing the license files and restarting the system, " MDESIGN " is activated.

Note: If you are using a license server, you can find the HostID Wizard in the FLEXlm64 directory at MDESIGN.

Saving files in sensitive folders may be blocked by Windows.

First, save the license file to your desktop or another folder. Right-click to open the Properties dialog, and in the Security section, select "Allow" if necessary. You should then be able to copy the file to the license folder.

The error message indicates that the user lacks rights.

For a client-server installation, the clients require read permissions for the MDESIGN program directory, as well as read, modify, and write permissions for the respective MDESIGN data directory located at C:\ProgramData\MDESIGN.

MDESIGN Only offers a FLEXlm installation if the system does not find an existing FLEXlm installation for MDESIGN .

If a valid FLEXlm entry is already found in the Windows Registry or an existing FLEXlm/FLEXlm64 folder with the corresponding services is found, the program will not prompt you to reinstall.

If the installation was performed correctly, restart the "MDESIGN License Manager" or "MDESIGN License Manager 64" service. If the problem persists, export the support information from MDESIGN and send it to Support.

Die Benutzerdatenbanken befinden sich im Ordner „MDESIGN data“. Bei einer Standardinstallation liegt dieser unter C:\ProgramData\MDESIGN\MDESIGN data\mdesign explorer <Version>. Dort können die Benutzer-Datenbanken gesichert und nach einem Update wieder eingefügt werden.

For new license files, we need a completed license transfer form as well as the HostID of the new server or computer. You can request the form by sending an informal email to hotline@mdesign.de. You will then receive the new license files via email.

New builds with improvements and new features are made available to service customers in the MDESIGN customer forum and update the current version of MDESIGN to the latest version.

Module updates can be downloaded directly from MDESIGN even before a new build is released. The update feature is located under “Calculation” > “Updates.”

MDESIGN speichert seine Einstellungen im Ordner „ProgramData“, damit alle Benutzerkonten eines PCs darauf zugreifen können. Die Datenbanken befinden sich unter C:\ProgramData\MDESIGN\MDESIGN data\mdesign explorer <Version>.

MDESIGN uses a Flexera system for licensing. Since the device name is used in the licensing process and the standards in use do not provide for the encoding of special characters and umlauts, these should not be used in the device name.

The message indicates that the registration of the 3D Assistant failed during the installation of the MDESIGN client. This is often caused by the client being unable to access the server's MDESIGN folder.

To perform a retrofit installation, you must log in to the client with administrator privileges, establish a connection to the server, and then run Register.bat from the MDESIGN multibolt module as an administrator.

This can happen if the configuration of MDESIGN has not yet been updated. Under "Tools," click "Update Configuration." MDESIGN will then restart and be reconfigured.

Starting with the MDESIGN 2024, users are configured via User Management. This can be accessed with administrator privileges on the application server or on a local standalone computer and is located in the “Tools” tab.

Starting with the MDESIGN 2024, the company name is retrieved directly from the license and can no longer be edited. For group licenses, the administrator can customize the company name for companies belonging to the group.

Starting with the 2022 " MDESIGN ," Java runtime components will no longer be used. Up through and including the 2020 " MDESIGN ," Java was used exclusively in the " MDESIGN " gearbox.

All versions of MDESIGN , with the exception of MDESIGN 2022, can be installed alongside Microsoft Office in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions.

MDESIGN In 2022, the MS Access Database Engine requires a 64-bit version. This can cause conflicts with the 32-bit version of Microsoft Office. As a permanent solution, we recommend using the 64-bit version of Microsoft Office.

The result charts are displayed in the Graph Wizard window. You can select different charts from the drop-down menu. The result charts can also be included in the documentation.

In the “MDESIGN s Control” > “Dimensions, Screw Connections” section, you can select screws from the MDESIGN database or the user database. You can enter your own values under “Custom Specifications” and save them to the user database.

Load case H comprises the sum of the primary loads, such as permanent loads and live loads. HZ describes the sum of primary and secondary loads. Secondary loads can result, for example, from heat or wind.

The shaft design calculation is based on DIN 743. The standard covers only a specific set of materials. Additional materials can be added via the user database.

The multi-bolt analysis is used to evaluate the stability of a Multi-bolted joints against a circumferential torque. Other loads must be reduced to the individual bolts so that they can be analyzed as single-bolt connections.

The minimum screw-in depth is designed so that the connection will fail under overload not due to shearing of the thread, but rather due to the screw breaking off. As the screw strength increases, the shear strength of the thread—and thus the screw-in depth—must also increase.

DIN 743 relies exclusively on the alternating strength values of the materials. Therefore, even in the case of purely swelling loads, no swelling strength values can be entered directly. However, they are still taken into account in the evaluation.

The operating torque is the bending moment at the bolt. According to VDI, only one bending moment is permitted. If there are multiple bending moments, they must be added vectorially.

If the operating torque MB is greater than 0, there is a risk of the seal gapping. Therefore, the minimum clamping force FKA is calculated at the lift-off limit. The sealing surface is required for this calculation.

User-defined materials are maintained using the integrated table editor or the database modules in " MDESIGN " control. The underlying database files should not be modified directly. Different material databases are available depending on the calculation.