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Webinar Description
Title:   Optimization Analysis
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Finite Element Analysis has emerged has a tool that can play a vital part in the drive
towards the ultimate goal of any manufacturing process; to produce the most
effective products in the most efficient manner. This simple statement embraces all
of the ‘right first time’, ‘minimum design to test cycles’ and other practices that have
evolved.

The introduction of a formal structural optimization strategy into this process has met
with great success in many industries. It makes the creation of the most effective
product that much more attainable.

Traditionally one might think of the Aerospace Industry as the classic example with
the goal of keeping weight to a minimum.  Indeed the structural efficiencies of modern
aircraft owe a lot to optimization methods. However it would be wrong to think of this
as always a strength and stiffness against weight minimization task. The interaction
of Aerodynamics, Aeroelasticity, Structures, Performance, Operating Cost and many
other disciplines all have to play a role in the overall vehicle design.

This gives the clue as to the broader nature of structural optimization across all
industries. The objective does not need to be weight minimization. It could be, for
example driving down the overall vibration amplitude of a hairdryer, whilst keeping
away from unpleasant harmonic frequencies. Weight has still to be monitored, and
we can place an upper limit on this – but the other factors are more important and will
feature directly in the optimization analysis.

Similarly other disciplines can play a role in structural optimization. In the case of
pump housing, we want this to be stiff and strong enough to do the job, with minimum
weight. However the cost of manufacture is important so a parametric penalty
function can be introduced which ‘steers’ the weight reduction to a compromise
solution which is cheaper to machine.

How do we define the penalty function in the above case?  Well, that’s where the
ingenuity of the analyst comes in! Knowing how to set up the optimization task and
how to obtain innovative solutions with the tools provided is a key to success in FEA
Structural Optimization.

The webinar looks at some of the challenges facing an engineer when setting out on an
FEA analysis and is particularly focused on the newcomer to the field who wants to do
the job in an effective and efficient way. Practical guidelines, hints and tips are given
based on the presenter’s 34 years in industry, FEA customer support and training.

The webinar is a condensed version of part of an e-learning course which is being
presented by Tony Abbey in partnership with NAFEMS throughout the World. We hope you
will be sufficiently intrigued by the webinar to sign up for the e-learning course!
•        Background  and History of Structural Optimization

•        Putting Optimization in perspective – what are we trying to achieve?

•        Sizing, Shape and Topology – the three fundamentals

•        What’s under the covers – some of the methodologies used

•        Internal solver solutions or external drivers – pros and cons

•        Multi-Disciplinary Optimization (MDO) – trying to put it all together

•        Nonlinear Optimization – altered perspectives!

•        Robust Optimization – broadening the spike of a single point solution!
This webinar is aimed at practicing engineers who wish to learn more about how to apply
the various optimization methods available to FEA structural analysis in the most effective
manner.

The material that is presented is independent of any particular software package, making
it ideally suited to current and potential users of all commercial finite element software
systems.

This webinar is a must for all engineers who plan to apply optimization methods to their
analysis projects with the goal of improving the efficiency of their designs.