Release 11.0 Documentation for ANSYS Workbench
The following types of parameters are used in the DesignXplorer environment:
Input parameters are those parameters that define the geometry or inputs to the analysis for the structure under investigation. Input parameters have predefined ranges that may be changed. These include (and are not limited to) CAD parameters, Simulation parameters, and DesignModeler parameters. CAD and DesignModeler input parameters might include length, radius, etc.; Simulation input parameters might include pressure, material properties, materials, sheet thickness, etc.
When you start a Design of Experiments or Variational Technology analysis in DesignXplorer, a default of +/- 10% of the current value of each input parameter is used to initialize the parameter range. If any parameter has a current value of 0.0, then the initial parameter range will be computed as 0.0 → 10.0. Alternatively, if the range of 0.0 → 10.0 is not compatible with the physical limits of the parameter, then the physical limits of the parameter may be used in place of the 0.0 or 10.0 values. Initially, in any case, the current value of the parameter within DesignXplorer will be the midpoint between the upper bound and lower bound.
Input parameters can be discrete or continuous, and each of these have specific forms. Discrete parameters are those that are not continuous in nature (for example, the number of holes in a part, or the material the part is made of). Continuous parameters can be any value defined by the range you set.
| Parameter Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Discrete Parameters | Valid only at integer values | Number of holes, number of weld points |
| Scenario Discrete Parameters | Set conditions independent of other scenario discrete parameters | Material type |
| Continuous Parameters | Continuous non-interrupted range of values | Thickness, force, temperature |
| Continuous Parameters with Usability Constraints | The theoretical values are continuous, but manufacturing or real-world constraints limit actual values | Drill bit sizes, readily available bolts, screws |
Because the parameter manager will not delete existing usability values from the values set when you generate a run, the reset ranges are interpreted as new usability levels. Output values that are evaluated with usability input parameters outside of the reset ranges are not guaranteed to have +/- 2% accuracy in a variational technology method design study.
Response parameters are those parameters that result from the geometry or are the response outputs from the analysis. These include (and are not limited to) volume, mass, frequency, stress, heat flux, and so forth.
Derived parameters are an analytical combination of response or input parameters. As the definition suggests, derived parameters are calculated from other parameters by using equations that you provide. Basing derived parameters upon other derived parameters is not supported.