Home
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Structural Optimization
Set up and run a topology, topography, or gauge optimization.
Run Optimization
Define and run a topology, topography, or gauge optimization using the Run Optimization tool.
Optimization Constraints
Most optimization constraints are applied using the Run Optimization window. The constraints that are available change based on the optimization type and objective.
Stress Constraints
A global stress constraint can be applied to limit the maximum stress in the model and is used when your optimization objective is to minimize mass.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
- Model Setup
  Create connections and apply loads, constraints, materials, and manufacturing controls to your model.
- Structural Analysis
  Set up and run a linear static analysis using the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver. You can also analyze normal modes and buckling modes.
- Structural Optimization
  Set up and run a topology, topography, or gauge optimization.
  - Optimization Overview
    Optimization will find the most effecitve design for each design space in a model in response to the applied loading conditions on that model. You can run several different types of optimization including topology, topography,gauge, and PolyNURBS shape optimization.
  - Design Spaces for Optimization
  - Run Options: Local vs. Remote
    Choose whether to run jobs locally or on a remote job server.
  - Run Optimization
    Define and run a topology, topography, or gauge optimization using the Run Optimization tool.
    - Set Up and Run an Optimization
      To run an optimization, select the Run Optimization tool, choose a run type and objective, and click Run.
    - Optimization Types
      Several different types of optimization are available in Inspire, including topology, topography, and gauge optimization.
    - Optimization Objectives
      When running an optimization, your objective may be to maximize stiffness, maximize frequency, or minimize mass. Different objectives are available based on the type of optimization selected.
    - Optimization Constraints
      Most optimization constraints are applied using the Run Optimization window. The constraints that are available change based on the optimization type and objective.
      - Mass Targets
        When running topology or gauge optimization and maximizing stiffness, mass targets are used to specify the amount of material to keep.
      - Bead Options
        When running a topography optimization, bead options are used to help control the manufacturability of the part. Bead patterns can be used to control the shape of the beads.
      - Element Size
        The element size dictates the quality of your optimization results. In general, the smaller the element size, the more accurate the result, but the slower it will run.
      - Gauge Thickness
        When running a gauge optimization, the gauge thickness is used to define the target Minimum and Maximum gauge thickness for each design space.
      - Minimum Gauge
        When running topology optimization on a surface, minimum gauge constraints are used to avoid holes in the optimized part and help show where rib structures should be placed.
      - Stress Constraints
        A global stress constraint can be applied to limit the maximum stress in the model and is used when your optimization objective is to minimize mass.
      - Frequency Constraints
        In some cases, you may want to change the natural frequency of an object, so as to avoid resonance with other parts in your design. Use frequency constraints to control the frequency at which an optimized part vibrates.
      - Thickness Constraints
        When running a topology optimization, you can control wall thicknesses and the diameters of beam-like members in a shape by specifying a minimum and/or maximum thickness. Wall thicknesses are controlled by the same parameter.
      - Fastener and Hole Constraints
        Inspire provides the ability to constrain the load in fasteners and cylindrical hole supports to achieve improved load distribution in a structure.
    - Optimization Options
      In addition to selecting an optimization type, objective, and constraints, you can also select from a variety of additional options when running an optimization.
    - Export a FEM File (optimization)
      Export a FEM file using the Export button on the Run Optimization window.
  - Show Optimization Results
    View and compare optimization results, view design violations, and explore the generated shape.
- Report
  Generate PPT or PDF reports from analysis results. The Report tools are available after you have run an analysis.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Stress Constraints

A global stress constraint can be applied to limit the maximum stress in the model and is used when your optimization objective is to minimize mass.

Inspire analyzes the materials used in the model to determine which has the lowest yield stress, then divides by its minimum safety factor. The higher the safety factor, the more material will be added to the optimized shape to limit the overall stress in the model.

On the Structures ribbon, click Run Optimization on the Optimize icon.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
Select Topology or Gauge for the optimization Type.
Select Minimize Mass as the optimization Objective.
Under Stress Constraints, the default Minimum Safety Factor is automatically calculated based on the lowest yield stress in the model, but you can enter a different Minimum Safety Factor if desired.
Define additional optimization constraints and options as desired.
Click Run to start the optimization.
When complete, double-click the name of the run to view the results.

Minimizing Mass Subject to Stress Constraints

The motorcycle bracket pictured below was optimized by minimizing mass subject to stress constraints, defined in terms of a minimum safety factor. As the safety factor increases, more material is required to resist the loads you've applied.

Figure 1. Original Model

Figure 2. Stress Constraint with a Safety Factor of 1.2

Figure 3. Stress Constraint with a Safety Factor of 2.0