If the loading on a particular bone increases, the bone will remodel itself over time to become stronger to resist that sort of loading. The concept is that in a single system the user can load in or model up a rough set of geometry, apply performance and boundary conditions (loads, constraints, pressures etc), then use a method of topology optimisation based on Wolff’s law.įor those unfamiliar with Wolff’s law, this is a 19th century medical theory that states that bone, in both humans and animals alike, will adapt to the loads under which it is placed. Initially introduced as an add-on to Altair’s solidThinking Evolve 3D modelling application, it’s now being sold as a standalone product. SolidThinking Inspire has been on the market for a couple of years now.
So, what if the user wants to explore a mechanical design problem with more freedom than that afforded using typical software simulation methods? Enter Altair’s solidThinking Inspire. The old adage “evolution, rather than revolution” holds true. Essentially, the user is optimising within a very confined set of options. When this is compared to the theoretical blue sky approach, it becomes clear that the results from a typical software optimisation process are restricted to the model that is used. In other words, the user takes a model, parameterises it, gives the system a set of inputs, variables and a goal, and has the system iterate it to find the best solution. Looking at the most widely available optimisation tools out there (most Finite Element Analysis systems include such tools), they rely on the design of experiments method. Inspire has a non-standard, yet clear interface that enables explorationĪs a purely theoretical exercise it can be done without restriction, but problems arise when using a software system to support the process. Please contact us using the button at the bottom of the page for more information.Fig 1. The Inspire (Shape) software contains all of the features of solidThinking Inspire (Shape), with the added benefit of FEA analysis on the optimized structures.
** It should be noted that the listed price is for a network license for solidThinking Inspire (Shape). What if you could start your design process with the ideal part and then use the freedom of additive manufacturing to make that part a reality? With Inspire, this is possible! Inspire enables design engineers to create and investigate structurally efficient concepts quickly and easily. Additive manufacturing gives designers the freedom needed to manufacture these parts with minimal limitations. That means you can design to take advantage of Additive Manufacturing processes. The software is easy to learn and works with existing CAD tools to help design structural parts right the first time, reducing costs, development time, material consumption, and product weight. Inspire enhances this process by generating a new material layout within a package space using the loads as an input. Traditional structural simulations allow engineers to check if a design will support the required loads. Inspire enables design engineers, product designers, and architects to create and investigate structurally efficient concepts quickly and easily.