Most engineers are used to optimizing their designs by modifying parameters: lengths, radii, thicknesses… But what if there were a way to optimize without relying on CAD? That is the basis of non-parametric optimization, and solutions like SIMULIA’s TOSCA are proving their impact on the industry.
What is the difference between parametric and non-parametric optimization?
- Parametric optimization: it starts from a CAD model with adjustable variables. The software modifies those parameters to find a better solution.
- Non-parametric optimization (such as TOSCA): it starts from a finite element mesh and directly proposes the optimal shape without the need for a prior CAD model.
Advantages of non-parametric optimization with TOSCA:
- You don’t need to remodel the CAD every time you change the design.
- You can explore structurally optimal shapes from scratch.
- It adapts to real manufacturing constraints from the very beginning.
- It removes unnecessary material regions without compromising strength.
Conclusion
Non-parametric optimization changes the logic of design. It’s not about adjusting what you already have, but about letting physics determine what you truly need.
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