What optimization software do Engineers use during the design phase?

Topology optimization is available in a number of tools: Abaqus/ATOM, Genesis, NX Topology optimization, Optistruct, TOSCA, and so on. All good, like most CAD systems have their strengths and weaknesses.

I work at FE-design, the software company behind TOSCA. For an example of topology optimization, see http://www.fe-design.de/en/products/tosca-structure/

Topology optimization is a brilliant tool in the design phase, if:
- you have a vague idea about load situations; most companies do
- you have have CAE experience; optimization is difficult, and if you are novice CAE-user, you will get all sorts of issues with optimization
- you have the design freedom and a organisation how wants to use the optimized design; IMPORTANT: Using optimization tools correctly, will change the normal workflow

The latter is the most tricky part: You may have a cool topology optimized design, usually done by CAE-people, and when then CAD-guys see the design they often dont believe their eyes and say "we have never done it like THAT". CAE and CAD departments in large companies sit in different buildings, and (often) dont like each other.

But IF (and I know numerous examples of this), the CAD and CAE people get together in a TEAM, solve the job with the expertise of both you can create excellent solutions with topology optimization that normally cut down on the number of development cycles, because the design based on topology optimization is very good to begin with. Less development cycles = less development time = higher productivity ....

Oh, and a side remark: Topology optimization will never replace an design engineer. Like a calculator will not replace a mathematician. Optimization can only be used when you have a slight idea about what it is going to look like, and it's even better if you know the design is good but can be optimized!

Good morning,

ANSYS have in this moment possibility to do optimization both in structural domain, but in fluid flow (see FLUENT).

Best regards.

I totally agree with Peter M. Clausen. I use OptiStruct to perform Topology Optimizations.

In my opinion, Topology Optimization is the most powerful optimization tool for a design engineer. It allows you to obtain the best solution in terms of weight, cost or performance.

First, you have to create a design space in CAD (the volume you want to optimize) and import the model to the optimization software. Then you mesh the model, apply the boundary conditions and the loads. Finally the software will tell you where material is important and where it is not. Therefore, you will be able to know where to put holes.

What the program does is to maximize stiffness while applying a constraint on the volume. Therefore you can obtain super lightweight components.

If you are interested in Topology Optimization and you want to learn how to use OptiStruct, I recommend you to visit this website:

http://topologyoptimizationforyou.jimdo.com/

Best regards.

I see this topic is a bit older now, but I just wanted to add something about a new topology optimization/concept generation software that has hit the market. The company I work for, solidThinking which is backed by Altair (maker of OptiStruct) has released a new tool, solidThinking Inspire.

Inspire (http://www.solidthinking.com/inspire) brings topology optimization into the design engineers hands with an extremely simple user interface. Peter mentioned above that one of the caveats of topology optimization is that the users must generally have CAE experience to run the software. With Inspire, this is not the case, the software has been specifically designed to be used by individuals with little to no CAE experience.

The goal here is the same, with this optimization, users can see the ideal part design(based on loading conditions) before moving into the CAD phase of the design process. This not only saves time (less failed prototypes/redesigns), but also decreases material usage and money.

A standalone topology optimization software that takes as input FNF and INP files, generated by PTC® Creo®, Simulia® Abaqus and SolidWorks® Simulation, respectively.
http://caess.eu/index.html

Also, ANSYS Workbench have module for Topological Optimization. But what do you have need look more complex than have in this moment. Fortunately, softwares like Tosca or OptiStruct is very well integrated in ANSYS. From my point of view, the best way is to coupled ANSYS with both softwares for optimization and to test on some simple case which of them is more feasible for you.

Keep in touch.