ParaMatters releases CogniCAD 2.0 topology optimiser for lightweighting
December 3, 2018
Designed in ParaMatters – suspension for a Mini Cooper (left) and mesostructural femur bone implant displaying biomimicry (right) (Courtesy ParaMatters Inc.)
ParaMatters Inc., provider of software for generative design, autonomous topology optimisation, parts consolidation and lightweighting, recently made available its second generation CogniCAD 2.0 platform as both a cloud-based service and enterprise solution. CogniCAD 2.0 is ParaMatters’ second generation holistic, agnostic generative design solution, and builds on its successful cognitive design and high-performance computational platform.
CogniCAD 2.0 works by first importing CAD files into the platform, and then defining loading and design criteria. Within minutes, users are reported to be able to obtain generative designs verified by built-in Finite-Element Analysis, ready for Additive Manufacturing in both STL and STEP formats. The platform is said to be capable of automatically generating ready-to-build, high-performance, lightweighted AM structures for aerospace, automotive and other mission critical applications.
Dr Michael Bogomolny, ParaMatters’ Co-founder and CTO, stated, “After a full year of working with leading industry power-users in automotive, aerospace and Additive Manufacturing, we are thrilled to launch CogniCAD 2.0, the most powerful agnostic CAD-to-CAD generative design and lightweighting tool available on the market today.”
“We are taking full advantage of the convergence of advanced topology optimisation techniques, computational geometry, infinite computing power in the cloud and artificial intelligence to deliver the most powerful, affordable and impactful tool that unleashes the full potential of design for Additive Manufacturing,” added Avi Reichental, ParaMatters Co-founder and board member.
CogniCAD 2.0 is available online as a pay-per-design, cloud-based service. The company also offers several subscription and enterprise-based models, and is said to be engaged in several complementary strategic partnerships. Among those customers and partners ParaMatters has made public are Ford, Volkswagen, GE, Renishaw, Techniplas, Stanley Black & Decker and AlphaStar.
In addition to speeding up the design cycle, ParaMatters stated that it is developing advanced algorithms that are designed to enhance the overall digital thread and Additive Manufacturing capabilities. This includes a new cloud-based, generative design platform that automatically compiles lightweight and metamaterial lattice structures on-demand, based on size, weight, strength, style, materials and cost as specified by designers or engineers.
The software’s unique mesostrucutral capabilities, which are offered as a design service, deliver biomimicry design for optimal structural infills, which can be mission-critical for certain AM processes. “We are transforming the entire design-to-manufacturing process by making it possible for our cloud service to autonomously generate high-quality, CAD-agnostic and ready-to-manufacture, optimised lightweighted designs in minutes to a few hours,” explained Dr Bogomolny.
“Our proprietary generative engine automatically delivers high performance and quality designs with minimal user input. As a result, the entire design cycle is compressed from days to hours, and raises the quality of generative designs compared to what can be achieved manually.”
