Let’s talk about ParaMatters’ traits and characteristics.

Number one, it is a cloud-based platform, so you access it through a browser. Number two, it is a token-based purchase, so you buy tokens and consume them based on the jobs that you run. Number three, it is not tied to any one CAD application so, you upload and download either an STL or a STEP file. Number four, there are no modeling capabilities in it, so you don’t create geometry manually within this tool. And there’s a very simple, accessible and easy to use workflow overall. Those are the high-level characteristics of this generative design topology optimization tool.

How does it work? Let’s walk through that process. First off, you bring in your geometry through an STL or a STEP file. And actually, that’s interesting with STL, because you might want to start with a scan. You might want to do a 3-D scan of a part, bring it in, and then perform topology optimization to it. Once you bring in the geometry, you follow a very similar path to traditional simulation. You apply material, loads, and constraints to the geometry. You also define what can change and what cannot change with the geometry, so you define constraints that way. You also set the manufacturing method, because that will apply some constraints.

After you kick it off, you can monitor the progress of the job within the browser. You can see the shape change over time and get a preview. You can stop it, make changes, and start it off again. It will remove material based on structural results and progress from there.

So why would you want to use a tool like ParaMatters? Generative design and topology optimization are pretty widely accessible within most CAD applications. So what’s the deal?

One advantage is, it can be the common denominator in a multi-CAD environment. You might have one CAD application that can run generative design and another one that runs topology optimization. These two applications can get very different results. ParaMatters can be a common denominator where you’ll run topology optimization and generative design for all of the CAD applications you have.

A second advantage is there’s no large upfront cost. This token-based approach lets you move from capital to operational expenditure. In terms of cost, it is not a subscription; you pay as you go. So there are advantages there as well.

The third advantage is, with it being a cloud platform, it is going to progress and get better over time. You’re going to see more and more functionality, and that can be a little bit different from what you see in a desktop installed application. So those are the three main advantages.

The question falls into the standard argument of, do you want a granular, independent, stand-alone solution that solves one problem really well? Or do you want an integrated solution where everything is accessible in one place?

There are benefits to both. There are certainly organizations that will see more advantage in one than compared to another. So it depends on your organization and your needs.

That’s it. Take care and talk soon.