Introduction
As an engineer, you're intimately familiar with the pressures of modern design cycles. The relentless push for innovation under tight deadlines is a constant challenge. You rely on tools like Autodesk for modeling, having honed your workflow over years of experience. But what if there was a way to take that investment further—moving beyond static 3D design to a process that combines modeling with interactive simulation? Traditional simulation tools often feel overwhelming, with steep learning curves and intricate workflows—the last thing you need when juggling multiple projects. But imagine a solution as intuitive and seamless as your modeling process, empowering you to design smarter and faster.
The Everyday Challenges Engineers Face
Time Constraints and Tight Deadlines
Time is a luxury you seldom have. Clients expect rapid turnaround times, and staying ahead in the market requires quick innovation. Waiting days for simulation results or engaging in lengthy trial-and-error methods isn't feasible. Every minute counts, and inefficiencies can cascade into missed deadlines and lost opportunities.
Real-World Impact: A mechanical engineer working on a new automotive component might have only weeks to go from concept to prototype. Delays in simulation can push back production schedules, affecting the entire supply chain.
Complex Design Iterations
Design is rarely a straight path from point A to point B. It's a winding road with multiple iterations, adjustments, and refinements. Each change necessitates reworking models and re-running simulations, consuming valuable time and resources. This iterative nature can be both creatively rewarding and logistically challenging.
Industry Insight: In aerospace engineering, even minor design modifications require rigorous testing and validation due to safety concerns. Repetitive simulation setups can slow down the innovation process significantly.
Steep Learning Curves with Simulation Tools
Many simulation software packages are powerful but not user-friendly. They often require specialized training, and the complexity can be intimidating. If simulation isn't your primary area of expertise, the risk of errors increases, which can lead to flawed designs and costly revisions.
Workflow Disruptions
Introducing new tools into an established workflow can create friction. Switching between different software for modeling and simulation can lead to inefficiencies, increased potential for errors, and a fragmented design process. Consistency and smooth transitions are crucial for maintaining productivity.
Limited Design Exploration
With time constraints and complex tools, you might limit yourself to a few design options to stay on schedule. This limitation can stifle creativity and prevent the discovery of potentially superior solutions. The inability to quickly test and validate ideas means innovative concepts may never see the light of day.
According to the Pulse of Engineering survey conducted by IEEE GlobalSpec, 53% of engineers report being required to do more with less, while 40% state that time pressures risk product quality or necessitate rework. These findings highlight the growing challenges engineers face in balancing efficiency with innovation. (IEEE Innovation at Work)
Is There a Better Way to Design in 3D?
Introducing an Intuitive Approach to Simulation
Imagine a world where simulation is not a cumbersome add-on but an integrated part of your design process—enhancing your workflow rather than complicating it. What if you could modify your designs and instantly see how they perform under real-world conditions? Envision being able to explore multiple design iterations without the overhead of complex setup procedures, using a tool that’s as intuitive and user-friendly as your modeling software.
This scenario isn’t a distant aspiration—it’s achievable with the right approach and tools.
Seamless Integration
Ansys Discovery is crafted to fit smoothly into your existing workflow:
- Familiar Interface: If you’re accustomed to CAD products, you’ll find Ansys Discovery’s interface intuitive and easy to navigate. The learning curve is minimal, allowing you to get up to speed quickly.
- Direct Modeling Capabilities: Modify geometry directly without the constraints of complex histories or parametric dependencies. This flexibility accelerates the design process.
- Effortless Data Exchange: Import and export your existing CAD models with ease, minimizing disruptions and ensuring continuity in your projects.
“Discovery allows us to use simulation right up front in our product design We can iterate a part design and instantaneously solve. Topology optimization has allowed us to reduce our weight by 40% which translates to a huge cost savings in material.”
– Dale Neubauer, Owner, HeliLadder
Real-Time Simulation Feedback
One of the most transformative features of Ansys Discovery is its ability to provide real-time simulation results as you make changes to your model.
- Instant Insights: Adjust dimensions, materials, or load conditions and immediately observe the effects on performance metrics like stress distribution, deformation, or thermal behavior.
- Interactive Exploration: This immediacy allows for dynamic testing of various scenarios, fostering a more responsive and iterative design process.
“The first time I saw ANSYS Discovery, I didn’t believe it could deliver on its instantaneous-design-feedback promises. Then, when I tried it, I thought it was nothing short of magical. There were things I knew would take days — even weeks — to achieve, yet I was able to complete them in three clicks.”
– William Villers, Co-Founder, CTO & VP of Engineering, TEN TECH LLC
Simplified Simulation Setup
Ansys Discovery eliminates the traditionally tedious setup procedures associated with simulation.
- Automated Processes: The software intelligently handles meshing and physics setup behind the scenes, so you can focus on design rather than technical details.
- User-Friendly Guidance: Contextual help and tutorials are integrated into the platform, providing assistance when needed without overwhelming you with information.
“Ansys Discovery is very useful when we are in meetings with other departments. We can see how our part is going to react, and we don’t need to wait weeks to make a prototype. In an hour, we can see 5-6 different parts and decide. With other software, this is impossible.”
– Nicolas Puget, Research & Innovation Manager, Rossignol
How Simulation-Enabled 3D Design Addresses Common Challenges
Accelerating Design Cycles
By unifying modeling and simulation, Ansys Discovery significantly reduces the time between design iterations.
- Faster Feedback Loop: Real-time results mean you can quickly refine designs without waiting for lengthy simulations to complete.
- More Iterations, Better Outcomes: With less time spent waiting, you can explore a broader range of design options, leading to higher-quality products.
Reducing the Learning Curve
The intuitive nature of Ansys Discovery makes it accessible to engineers, regardless of their simulation expertise.
- Ease of Use: The software’s design prioritizes user experience, making advanced simulation capabilities available without specialized training.
- Support Resources: Comprehensive tutorials, webinars, and a supportive user community help you learn and troubleshoot as you work.
Enhancing Workflow Efficiency
A unified platform streamlines your workflow by eliminating the need to juggle multiple software tools.
- Consistent Environment: Modeling and simulation share the same interface and controls, reducing the cognitive load of switching contexts.
- Minimized Errors: Fewer data transfers between tools reduce the risk of mistakes due to file incompatibilities or miscommunication.
Encouraging Innovation Through Exploration
With the barriers to simulation removed, you can fully unleash your creativity.
- Risk-Free Experimentation: The ability to quickly test ideas encourages bolder, more innovative designs.
- Informed Decision-Making: Immediate feedback provides a solid foundation for choosing the best design options based on performance data.
“Simulation was utilized in the past as a last resort. Something we’d keep in our back pocket. Now it’s brought up earlier in the discussion as a sales tool. The process in the past might have taken up to two months where now we can be presenting that solution within the same week. Ansys allows our design engineer and sales engineers to work together to provide a software solution to support our natural solutions.”
– John Moffitt, President, Moffitt
Real-World Applications: Bringing It All Together
Optimizing a Mechanical Component
Scenario: You’re tasked with designing a bracket that must be both lightweight and capable of bearing significant loads.
Traditional Approach: You design the bracket, export it to a simulation tool, set up the simulation parameters, run it overnight, and review the results the next day. Each iteration takes at least a full day, limiting the number of design variations you can explore.
With Ansys Discovery:
- Immediate Feedback: As you adjust the bracket’s geometry, you instantly see how changes affect stress distribution and weight.
- Rapid Iterations: You can explore numerous design options within hours, not days.
- Outcome: You develop an optimized bracket that meets all requirements ahead of schedule, impressing your client and freeing up time for other projects.
Enhancing Thermal Management in Electronics
Scenario: Improving the cooling system of a high-performance electronic device is critical to prevent overheating and ensure longevity.
Traditional Approach: Modeling the device and setting up a thermal simulation can take hours, with results often not available until the next day.
With Ansys Discovery:
- Dynamic Adjustments: Modify the placement of components and cooling features like heat sinks or vents, seeing temperature changes in real-time.
- Informed Choices: Quickly identify hotspots and test different materials or cooling methods.
- Outcome: You optimize the thermal management system efficiently, enhancing device reliability and performance while reducing development costs.
Streamlining Fluid Flow in a System
Scenario: You need to minimize pressure drop in a complex piping system to improve energy efficiency.
Traditional Approach: Creating a detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model requires extensive setup and significant computational resources, often monopolizing your workstation for hours.
With Ansys Discovery:
- Interactive Flow Visualization: Adjust pipe diameters, bends, and valve placements, observing changes in flow patterns and pressure in real-time.
- Efficiency Improvements: Identify and mitigate areas of turbulence or flow separation swiftly.
- Outcome: You deliver an optimized piping design that reduces energy consumption and operational costs for your client.
The Power of Connected Data
Accelerating Innovation with Seamless Engineering Data and Processes
This eBook explores the core motivators to investigate more connected engineering data and processes. Learn about overcoming the challenges and putting the solutions in place to truly connect product development.