ANSYS and SpaceClaim to Improve Design Optimization

By DE Editors

September 25, 2007 — SpaceClaim Corp. (Concord, MA) ANSYS, Inc. have collaborated to address the need for improved CAD and CAE interoperability. The combined solution makes it possible for analysts to simplify the master CAD model, independent of the originating CAD system, for faster pre-processing, and to optimize the design based on analysis results.

By combining SpaceClaim Professional 2007 software with engineering simulation solutions from ANSYS, the analyst is no longer dependent on the designer to produce specialized models for analysis. This solution promotes faster cycle times and facilitates additional analysis iterations, which can result in higher quality products.

The joint solution supports the import of CAD models into SpaceClaim for model simplification and modification by the analyst. The model then can be set up and solved using the powerful simulation tools from ANSYS. The analyst can modify the design based on the results and rerun as often as necessary, returning validated design options to the designer.

Or the analyst can choose to automatically drive design optimization by letting the results of the analysis drive key design parameters of the model. SpaceClaim enables a related set of geometry to be associated and modified together at any time. The associated geometry behaves without regard to the constraints of the design model, so modifications have the expected results. This approach is suited for design optimization because driving parameters can be created whenever and wherever necessary, rather than predicted and parameterized at the beginning of the design process when they are unknown.

SpaceClaim Professional 2007 is available for purchase and download from spaceclaim.com.

Go to ANSYS, Inc. for more information.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.