What’s special about Ansys Inc.?
Ansys is known for its advanced multiphysics simulation capabilities, enabling engineers to simulate structural, fluid, thermal, and electromagnetic interactions within a single unified platform. The software is highly valued for its accuracy, customization, and integration with various CAD and CAE tools.
Product: Ansys Suite | Founding Date: 1970 |
|---|---|
Company: Ansys, Inc. | IPO Status: Public |
Founders: John Swanson | Deployment Type: On-premise (self-hosted) |
Free Trial: Not available | Company HQ: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States |
Rating: 4.2 ⭐ | 263
Table of Contents:
What is Ansys Inc?
Ansys is a comprehensive CAE (computer-aided engineering) software suite used across industries like aerospace, automotive, defense, electronics, energy, and healthcare for simulation-driven product design. It provides finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, electronics simulation, embedded software, and optimization tools all within a single integrated workflow.
Pros of Ansys Inc
Steep learning curve, especially for new users.
No integrated topology optimization module. Requires add-on purchase.
Limited capabilities for additive manufacturing/3D printing simulations.
Lacks built-in parametric modeling tools. Relies on CAD program geometry.
Only provides indirect access to code. Full access requires third-party plugins.
Cons of Ansys Inc
Requires a lot of processing power (RAM, GPU) to run efficiently.
The advanced user interface may be confusing for new users.
Expensive software and its pricing isn’t fixed; it varies depending on the modules you use and how many licenses you need.
Meshing control is not the most advanced compared to some competitors such as Hypermesh.
Ansys Pricing
Ansys offers various licensing options including yearly subscriptions starting at $7,000 per year. Perpetual licenses are also available with upfront costs ranging from $20,000-$60,000.
Ansys's Target Market
Ansys targets small to large companies in industries like aerospace, automotive, machinery, government/defense, energy, electronics, and medical devices.
Ansys Features
Structural mechanics tools like static structural, modal analysis, nonlinear material models. Ansys provides advanced modeling of stress, strain, vibration and impact on structural components.
Explicit dynamics simulation for crashes, drops, blast loading. Accurately predict transient structural response during high-speed events.
Fatigue tools to estimate component life cycles under cyclic loading.
Thermal analysis for heat transfer, combustion, solar loads. Map temperature distribution and heat flow.
Computational fluid dynamics to analyze mixers, turbines, filters, and flow trajectories. Model fluid flow, turbulence and multiphase interactions.
Electromagnetics to design motors, actuators, and sensors. Analyze magnetic fields, currents, and electromagnetic forces.
Semiconductor and wireless RF component design tools.
Automated optimization using genetic algorithms, neural networks, and other techniques.
Design of Experiments tools to minimize the number of simulation runs needed.
Ansys Deployment Type and Implementation
Ansys is available through on-premise deployment with software installed locally. Cloud-hosted simulation through Ansys cloud and Ansys Rental Licensing is also offered.
Ansys Inc Customer Support
Ansys has a support portal with downloadable guides. They also offer training courses for free. If assistance help is needed, customers can contact the Support team through the web form, or by email/phone.
Ansys Inc Integrations
Ansys integrates with PTC Creo, Dassault Systemes CATIA and SolidWorks, Siemens PLM, Autodesk Inventor, and other major CAD programs. It also offers bidirectional data exchange with third-party CAE tools like Abaqus, LS-Dyna, and MSC Nastran.
Ansys Inc Scripting, Customization and Automation
Ansys provides extensive features to automate workflows and customize the software across disciplines like structural, fluid, and thermal analysis.
For streamlined automation, Ansys Workbench delivers CAD integration and process automation capabilities through its project schematic view. Engineers can set up the entire simulation workflow involving geometry, meshing, physics model setup, and results processing. Batch processing and job queuing allow multiple design scenarios to be simulated automatically.
The Parametric Design Language (APDL) enables efficient parametric modeling and automation of repetitive tasks through scripting. Users can program custom commands directly in APDL to capture best practices or account for unique analysis needs.
DesignXplorer, the integrated design optimization module, leverages algorithms like response surface methods to automatically find optimal design parameters. Engineers define the design space and constraints, and Ansys explores the tradeoffs.
The customization toolkit, ACT, provides flexible access to tailor menus, toolbars, macros, and other aspects of the Ansys interface. ACT supports user-defined functions (UDFs) in C++ to create custom physics modeling capabilities as needed.
Ansys also exposes APIs for Python, .NET, C++, and other languages to facilitate advanced automation and integration. Users can access simulation data, drive the solution process, and customize the experience all through Python programming.
While learning these tools involves some investment of time, the efficiency gains allow engineers to accelerate innovation. Ansys puts powerful automation and customization directly into the hands of users across industries.
The company behind Ansys
Ansys Inc. is an American juggernaut in the world of simulation software for engineering and design. They've been around since way back in 1970, so they've had plenty of time to build up their rep as a leading provider of advanced simulation tools.
Today, Ansys is relied on by companies across industries like aerospace, automotive, energy, and medical devices. Their software lets engineers and designers construct virtual prototypes to test out products before they ever hit the production line. We're talking next-level modelling capabilities that can simulate structural, fluid, thermal and electromagnetic forces.
Over the years, Ansys has expanded their suite to offer specialized tools catering to different disciplines. They've got aerospace and defence covered with high-precision structural analysis. For automotive, their crash simulation and occupant safety products are top-notch. In energy, Ansys has robust turbine and combustion modelling tools. And their biomedical solutions let medical device makers simulate implant fatigue and digital human motions.
With long-running partnerships with companies like BMW, Siemens, Airbus, and Jaguar Land Rover, it's clear Ansys holds a top spot in the simulation market. Even NASA sees their value, recently inking a 5-year deal to utilize Ansys for the agency's modeling and simulation needs.
So when it comes to pushing the boundaries of engineering innovation through next-gen simulation tech, Ansys stands tall as a pioneer in the field. This American company has been dominating for over 50 years - and they show no signs of ceding the throne.
Ansys Inc FAQs
Is Ansys free to use?
Ansys Suite is not free, however, most of the modules have a Free trial. As per our latest knowledge, Ansys Mechanical is not part of the free trial.
Is Ansys Fluent free for students?
Yes, Ansys provides free academic licenses of Fluent, its CFD software, for students at accredited academic institutions.
Is Ansys used for CFD?
Yes, Ansys Fluent and CFX are Ansys products commonly used for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Does NASA use CFD?
Yes, NASA uses CFD software extensively for aerospace design and research. Programs like OVERFLOW and FUN3D developed at NASA use CFD.
Is Python used in CFD?
Python is commonly used for scripting, automation, and customization of CFD workflows including pre-processing, simulation, and post-processing.
Does Tesla use CFD?
Yes, Tesla utilizes CFD software for applications like the aerodynamics simulation of their vehicles.
Does CFD use CPU or GPU?
Both CPUs and GPUs can be leveraged for CFD computations. GPUs allow faster parallel processing which reduces simulation time.
What is the best language for CFD?
Fortran and C/C++ are the most commonly used programming languages for developing CFD software and models.
Ansys Inc. Alternatives
MSC Patran: Old but Gold
Abaqus: Best for dynamic analysis
Femap: Well-documented FEA software
Altair Hyperworks: Ultimate meshing control
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