Knowledge Base

Overview of Altair HyperWorks

Altair HyperWorks is a suite of computer-aided engineering (CAE) software tools developed by Altair Engineering. Altair is a software and engineering services company based in Michigan, USA and has presence in India and other countries. HyperWorks provides a wide range of tools for modelling, analyzing, and optimizing engineering designs, including finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and multi-body dynamics (MBD).

One of the main advantages of HyperWorks is its open architecture, which allows users to integrate their own software and tools into the platform. This makes it possible to create customized workflows and automate repetitive tasks, saving time and increasing productivity.  

HyperWorks Modules

What makes HyperWorks the ‘go to’ tool is the several modules and applications. A few salient modules include:

  • HyperMesh™: This is a highly advanced pre-processor for FEA and CFD. It is useful for a wide range of applications, including structural analysis, thermal analysis, and fluid flow analysis.
  • HyperView™: is a post-processor for visualizing and analyzing simulation results. It is used to view and analyze results from simulations performed in other HyperWorks modules, as well as from other CAE tools. HyperView is useful for applications such as post-processing of FEA results, optimization, and design exploration.
  • OptiStruct™: OptiStruct is a solver for structural optimization and advanced analysis. It uses a variety of techniques, such as topology optimization, size optimization, and shape optimization. It is useful for applications such as structural analysis, crash worthiness, and topology optimization.
  • AcuSolve™: is a solver for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). It is used to simulate fluid flow and heat transfer in complex systems, such as engines, turbines, and heat exchangers. AcuSolve is useful for applications such as aerodynamics, thermal management, and combustion analysis.
  • MotionSolve™: This is a solver for multi-body dynamics simulation. It is used to simulate the motion and behaviour of mechanical systems with multiple interconnected parts, such as vehicles, machinery, and robotics. MotionSolve is useful for applications such as ride and handling analysis, suspension analysis, and vehicle dynamics simulation.
  • HyperStudy™: This is a tool for design exploration and optimization. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for conducting design of experiments (DOE), response surface modelling, and optimization studies. HyperStudy is useful for applications such as optimization of product design, calibration of simulations, and robustness analysis.
  • HyperCrash™: This is a solver for crash and impact analysis. It is used to simulate the behaviour of vehicles and other structures during collisions and impacts. HyperCrash is useful for applications such as vehicle safety, occupant protection, and crash worthiness analysis.
  • HyperForm: This is a solver for sheet metal forming simulation. It is used to simulate the behaviour of sheet metal during stamping and forming processes. HyperForm is useful for applications such as automotive body-in-white design, aerospace sheet metal forming, and consumer product manufacturing.

All these Altair HyperWorks modules are designed to work together as a suite, but they can also be purchased and used as standalone applications, depending on the customer’s specific needs. For example, those in the automobile sector can find HyperMesh®, HyperCrash® and HyperStudy® useful to create high quality finite element meshes of automotive components and assemblies, crash simulations and to optimize automotive designs respectively. Those in the aerospace engineering can benefit from OptStruct® to perform structural analysis and optimization of aerospace components and assemblies, such as fuselage, wings, and engine components. For the Defence sector, HyperMesh® and Radioss™ (structural analysis solver for highly non-linear problems under dynamic loadings) can be used to simulate explosions and other high-energy events, such as the detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In the marine engineering sector, AcuSolve® and MotionSolve® can be useful in simulating fluid-structure interaction and in simulating the dynamics of ships and marine systems in order to help engineers optimize the design of ships and marine systems, reduce drag and turbulence, and improve efficiency.

In addition to the base set of modules and applications, Altair also offers a range of optional modules and add-ons that can be purchased separately. These modules provide additional capabilities and features for specific types of simulations or analyses. Of course, the full potential of HyperWorks is realized when the different modules are used together within a unified simulation environment. The term "HyperWorks" reflects this comprehensive approach to engineering simulation, which sets it apart from other simulation software suites.

Altair in India
India is a hub for software services, and there is a growing awareness in the SME manufacturing sector about how emerging technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), AI, ML can benefit them in boosting productivity and quality.

Altair offers many options for using their simulation and modelling software to these manufacturers, and HyperWorks is one of them. The HyperWorks suite of software offers top-notch solutions for modelling, linear and nonlinear analysis, structural and system-level optimization, fluid and multibody dynamics simulation, electromagnetic compatibility, multi-physics analysis, model based development and data management solutions. It provides easy-to-learn, effective workflows that leverage domain knowledge and increase team productivity, enabling the efficient development of today’s increasingly complex and connected products.

Altair HyperWorks has a significant potential in India, especially in the context of small and medium scale industries. India is a rapidly growing economy, with a strong focus on engineering, manufacturing, and innovation. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India are looking for ways to increase their competitiveness by improving product quality, reducing time-to-market, and optimizing product development costs. HyperWorks can help SMEs achieve these goals by providing a powerful set of simulation and analysis tools that can improve product performance, reduce design cycle times, and minimize the need for physical prototyping. By using simulation to predict how a product will perform in the real world, SMEs can reduce the number of physical prototypes they need to build and test, saving time and money.

HyperWorks also provides a range of optimization tools that can help SMEs find the best design solutions for their products. By using optimization techniques, SMEs can explore a wider range of design possibilities, and find the designs that provide the best performance while meeting their constraints and requirements.What is more, Altair also offers different licensing options, such as perpetual licenses, annual licenses, and cloud-based licenses. You can check out more about Altair products here.