Tutr DX Intro

DesignXplorer 14.
0: Introduction
This tutorial is intended to provide you with a basic introduction to the purpose, features, and interface
of DesignXplorer 14.0.
1. What is DesignXplorer?
DesignXplorer (DX) is a tool that uses response surfaces to efficiently explore the solution space.
With DX, you can:
• Explore and understand the performance at other design or operating conditions

• Find the conditions which give the best performance
• Determine the key parameters influencing your design
• Explore the robustness of your design
2. DesignXplorer Features
DesignXplorer offers a variety of features to help you explore and better understand your design.
This section provides a brief introduction to each the following DX features:

2.1.“What If?” Studies
2.2. Parameters Correlation
2.3. Design of Experiments
2.4. Response Surface
2.5. Six Sigma Analysis
Release 14.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. 1
DesignXplorer 14.0: Introduction
2.1.“What If?” Studies

ANSYS Workbench offers the ability to perform “What If?” studies that allow you to run through a list
of manually specified design points. You don’t need a DX license to do a “What If?” analysis, but this
feature serves as a useful preliminary to some of the design benefits that DX can offer.
To view the list of design points, right-click on the Parameter Set bar in the Project Schematic and
select Edit from the context menu. The design points are included in the Table view of the Parameter
Set workspace.
For a more detailed discussion, see the DesignXplorer 14.0: Performing a Parametric “What If” Study (Hitch
Receiver) tutorial.
2.2. Parameters Correlation

A Parameters Correlation study performs simulations on a random sampling of the design space to
identify the correlations between all parameters in your project. A linear association between parameters
is evaluated using Spearman’s or Pearson’s product-moment coefficient. A correlation/sensitivity matrix
is generated to demonstrate correlation between input and input parameters, and sensitivity of output
to input parameters.
A Parameters Correlation study allows you to:
• Determine which input parameters have the most (and the least) impact on your design.
2 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
DesignXplorer Features
• Identify the degree to which the relationship is linear/quadratic.
2.3. Design of Experiments

DesignXplorer uses a technique called the Design of Experiments (DOE) to identify design points with
parameter combinations intended to explore the solution space most efficiently (i.e., using the fewest
number of design points). The DOE techniques works best if you use fewer than 20 parameters.
Different DOE types are available, so you can select the type of DOE best suited to your project and
purposes. Available DOE types include:
• Central Composite Design (CCD)

• Optimal Space-Filling Design
• Boh-Behnken Design
• Custom
• Custom + Sampling
• Sparse Grid Initialization
The images below show examples of the design points generated with various DOE types.
2.4. Response Surface

From the design points identified in the DOE, DesignXplorer builds a continuous Response Surface.
As with the DOE, different Response Surface types are available, so you can select the type of Response
Surface best suited to your purposes. Available Response Surface types include:
• Standard Response Surface — Full 2nd Order Polynomials

• Kriging
• Non-Parametric Regression (NPR)
• Neural Network
• Sparse Grid
The images below show examples of response surfaces generated from the design points shown in the
DOE section.
DesignXplorer Features
2.4.1. Features that Use Response Surface Data

Because the Response Surface provides approximated values for the output parameters, other DX features
can quickly explore and utilize the data it provides. Examples of features that make use on Response
Surface data include:
• Min/Max Search
• Surface/XY Plots
• Sensitivity Plots
• Optimization/Trade-Off Plots
• Robustness of Design Analyses
2.5. Six Sigma Analysis

The Six Sigma Analysis feature of DesignXplorer is an essential part of the “Robust Design” process.
Robust Design takes the variation of inputs into account and seeks a design with a probabilistic goal.
In practice, dimensions (such as thickness), material properties (such as viscosity or density) and
boundary conditions (such as resistance or flow rate) all have variation. Six Sigma Analysis factors in
that variation and produces results which also have a variation. By ensuring that results don't vary
outside of the acceptable range, you can ensure that your design is robust.
With a Six Sigma Analysis, you can:
• Understand how your performance will vary with your design tolerances
• Determine how many and which parts are likely to fail
• Understand which inputs require the greatest control
A Six Sigma Analysis uses statistical distribution functions (such as the Gaussian, or normal, distribution,
the uniform distribution, etc.) to describe uncertain parameters.
Getting Started with DesignXplorer
3. Getting Started with DesignXplorer

This section discusses the general workflow for DX and parameterization basics.
3.1. General DesignXplorer Workflow
3.2. Parameterization Basics
3.1. General DesignXplorer Workflow

In this section, we’ll discuss a general workflow for beginning to work with DX.
Step 1: Create Parameters

To begin working with DX, you must have parameters in your project. The first step is to parameterize
dimensions, boundary conditions, etc. in your project.
Once you’ve created parameters, the Parameter Set bar is added to your Project Schematic.
Step 2: Add a DX System to the Project

Next, add a DX system to your project. To do this, locate the desired system in the Workbench Toolbox,
drag it to the Project Schematic, and drop it beneath the Parameter Set bar.
Step 3: Follow the DX Component Workflow

Once the DX system has been added to the Project Schematic, work through its components (the indi-
vidual cells in the system) in sequence from top to bottom. Each type of design exploration system has
a different workflow sequence, as shown below.
Note that a Parameters Correlation system is the only type that does not have DOE and Response
Surface components. For all of the other system types, the DOE component is first in the sequence,
and is followed by the Response Surface component. DX systems can also share and reuse DOE and
response surfaces.
3.2. Parameterization Basics

Parameters can be defined not only in ANSYS Workbench applications, but also in numerous external
CAD packages.
Applications allow for parameterization include the following:
• DesignModeler
• Mechanical
• Mechanical APDL
• FLUENT
• CFX
• Polyflow
• SpaceClaim
• ExplicitSTR
• CFD-Post
• VistaTF
• Meshing
• Engineering DatA
• Excel
3.2.1. Parameterizing CAD Dimensions

To parameterize CAD dimensions, first you must enable parameters in Workbench:
1. In Workbench, select the Tools > Options menu option.

2. In the Options dialog, expand the Geometry Import node.
3. Under Basic Options, select the Parameters checkbox to enable parameters.
4. If desired, enter Filtering Prefixes and Suffixes.
• The default value is blank, which causes all CAD parameters to Workbench.
• To expose a CAD parameter named Length in Workbench, it could be renamed as dslength,
Lengthds, ds_Length, Length_ds, etc. (The order, underscore, and case are arbitrary.)
3.2.2. Parameterizing Workbench Dimensions

The process of parameterizing Workbench dimensions varies according to application. Different methods
of parameterizing model data are shown below. For more detailed information on any of these methods,
see the documentation for the application you’re using.
Parameter Definition Based on ANSYS Mechanical APDL Input Files
Input and Output Parameters Created in CAD, DM, AMP, and Mechanical
Input Parameters Created from Expressions

Input Parameter Created from an Expression in ANSYS CFX
Input Parameter Created from an Expression in ANSYS FLUENT
Output Parameters Created from an Expression in ANSYS CFD Post
3.2.3. Derived Parameters

Derived Parameters are parameters created using analytical expressions composed of input and response
parameters. As the definition suggests, derived parameters are calculated from other parameters by
using equations that you provide.
Note that derived parameters cannot reference other derived parameters.
Examples of derived parameters include (but are not limited to):
• Cost Function (i.e., the product of mass and cost per mass)
• Normalized Stress (i.e., stress response divided by an applied stress)
• Average Value (e.g., the average of the first three frequencies)
• Mesh Sizing (i.e., setting a mesh parameter as a function of a geometric parameter)
Defining Derived Parameters

Derived parameters can be defined using various built in arithmetic, trigonometric and statistical func-
tions. They are created in the analysis system and passed into ANSYS DesignXplorer as output parameters.
To create a derived parameter:
1. Right-click the Parameter Set bar and select Edit.

2. Enter the expression in either of the following locations:
• The Value field in the Outline view

• The Expression field in the Properties view (the parameter must be selected in the Outline view)
Note
Both derived parameters and constant values can be added in the Outline view, but once
derived parameters are added, they become read-only in the Outline view. You must use
the Properties view to edit them.
4. DesignXplorer Workspaces
The Parameter Set workspace and individual DesignXplorer workspaces are accessed in the same way,
and are very similar in layout.
Workspace Access
Right-click on the Parameter Set bar or the DX component and select Edit from the context menu.
DesignXplorer Workspaces
Workspace Layout
Each workspace includes the following sections:
• toolbar (with Chart Options)

• Outline view
• Properties view
• Table view
• Charts view
The workspaces are connected between the various Workbench native applications. For example, if
you close the chart on one workspace, it is also closed on the others. To reset the workspace to the
default layout, select the View > Reset Workspace menu option.
The following sections show the various workspaces you’ll use when working in DesignXplorer.
4.1. Parameter Set Workspace
Parameter Set Table of Design Points
Parameter Set Charts

Parameter Set charts allow you to do the following things:
Configure and plot input vs. output in XY plots
Show how output parameters vary for design point combinations
Show the chart output vs. input parameter
4.2. DesignXplorer Workspaces

This section includes images of the following DesignXplorer workspaces:
4.2.1. Parameters Correlation Workspace
4.2.2. Design of Experiments Workspace
4.2.3. Response Surface Workspace
4.2.4. Goal Driven Optimization Workspace
4.2.5. Six Sigma Analysis Workspace
4.2.1. Parameters Correlation Workspace
4.2.2. Design of Experiments Workspace
4.2.3. Response Surface Workspace
4.2.4. Goal Driven Optimization Workspace
What have we learned?
4.2.5. Six Sigma Analysis Workspace
5. What have we learned?

In this tutorial, we’ve discussed the following things:
• DesignXplorer is a tool that uses response surfaces to help you explore your design space, helping you
find the combinations of input parameters that provide the best performance, determine how parameters
influence your design, and explore the robustness of your design.
• DesignXplorer offers a variety of features to help you explore and better understand your design. These
features include:
– “What If?” Studies
– Parameters Correlation
– Design of Experiments
– Response Surface
– Goal Driven Optimization
– Six Sigma Robustness Evaluation
• The general workflow for getting started with DX includes the following steps:
– Define parameters
– Add a DX analysis system to your Project Schematic
– Work through the sequence indicated by the specific analysis system
• Parameters can be added in most ANSYS applications and numerous external CAD packages, via the
user interface, APDL input files, and user-defined expressions.
• The different workspaces that you’ll use when working with DX, as follows:
– Parameter Set Workspace
– Parameters Correlation Workspace
– Design of Experiments Workspace
– Response Surface Workspace
– Goal Driven Optimization Workspace
– Six Sigma Analysis Workspace

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DesignXplorer 14.

With DX, you can:

• Explore and understand the performance at other design or operating conditions

This section provides a brief introduction to each the following DX features:

2.1.“What If?” Studies

2.2. Parameters Correlation

A Parameters Correlation study allows you to:

• Identify the degree to which the relationship is linear/quadratic.

2.3. Design of Experiments

• Central Composite Design (CCD)

2.4. Response Surface

• Standard Response Surface — Full 2nd Order Polynomials

2.4.1. Features that Use Response Surface Data

2.5. Six Sigma Analysis

With a Six Sigma Analysis, you can:

3. Getting Started with DesignXplorer

3.1. General DesignXplorer Workflow

Step 1: Create Parameters

Step 2: Add a DX System to the Project

Step 3: Follow the DX Component Workflow

3.2. Parameterization Basics

Applications allow for parameterization include the following:

3.2.1. Parameterizing CAD Dimensions

1. In Workbench, select the Tools > Options menu option.

3.2.2. Parameterizing Workbench Dimensions

Parameter Definition Based on ANSYS Mechanical APDL Input Files

Input Parameters Created from Expressions

Input Parameter Created from an Expression in ANSYS FLUENT

Output Parameters Created from an Expression in ANSYS CFD Post

3.2.3. Derived Parameters

Note that derived parameters cannot reference other derived parameters.

Examples of derived parameters include (but are not limited to):

Defining Derived Parameters

To create a derived parameter:

1. Right-click the Parameter Set bar and select Edit.

• The Value field in the Outline view

• toolbar (with Chart Options)

4.1. Parameter Set Workspace

Parameter Set Table of Design Points

Parameter Set Charts

Configure and plot input vs. output in XY plots

Show how output parameters vary for design point combinations

Show the chart output vs. input parameter

4.2. DesignXplorer Workspaces

4.2.1. Parameters Correlation Workspace

4.2.2. Design of Experiments Workspace

4.2.3. Response Surface Workspace

4.2.4. Goal Driven Optimization Workspace

4.2.5. Six Sigma Analysis Workspace

5. What have we learned?

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