Users can just as easily define and modify constraints, objectives, move limits, design variable and response links, and synthetic functions. Use VisualDOC to couple optimization to almost any analysis. Take advantage of advanced features in VisualDOC such as response surface approximations, discrete variables, linked variables and responses, synthetic functions and multi-objective optimization. Many additions and changes made in future versions are a direct result of client needs. Version 5.0 also allows the user to perform topology optimization.
Topology optimization is a technique used to find a good preliminary design.
Topology optimization distributes material to obtain the stiffest structure possible under the given constraints. The advantage of topology optimization comes when the designer discovers a completely new and innovative structure. Density-based methods have the advantage over assumed microstructure methods in that the latter requires three to six times more design variables. To those of you who are not users, perhaps this column will give you an idea of the extent of the capabilities of our software. Implementing this technique in VisualDOC is quite simple.