Free Size Panel

Use the Free Size panel to define design domains for free size optimization.

Location: Analysis page > Optimization panel

Note: Only available in the OptiStruct solver interface.

Create Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Specify a name for the design variable.
type	Select an entity type.
props	Select a property.
minimum thickness	Specify a non-zero value for the minimum shell (for PSHELL) or set global TMINPLY for PCOMP and PCOMPG.
maximum thickness	Specify a maximum thickness other than the shell (for PSHELL) or set global TMINPLY for PCOMP and PCOMPG thickness defined on the property card.

Update Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Specify a name for the design variable.
type	Select an entity type.
props	Select a property.
minimum thickness	Specify the minimum thickness or select zero to be the minimum.
maximum thickness	Choose to use the thickness value from the selected property, or enter a thickness value.

Parameters Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Specify a name for the design variable.
minmemb off / mindim =	Specify a value for the member size control, or toggle the switch to off.
stress constraint	Specify a value for the stress constraint, or toggle the switch to none.
fatigue constraint	Specify a value for the fatigue constraint, or toggle the switch to none.

Composites Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Select the DSIZE design variable.
laminate thickness: min thickness /off	Specify a value for the laminate thickness (LAMTHK) minimum, or toggle the switch off.
laminate thickness: max thickness /off	Specify a value for the laminate thickness (LAMTHK) maximum, or toggle the switch off.
ply thickness: no. of constraints	Display the number of constraints for ply thickness (PLYTHK). To modify this number, click Edit.
ply percentage: no. of constraints	Display the number of constraints for ply thickness percentage (PLYPCT). To modify this number, click Edit.
ply manufacture: no. of constraints	Display the number of constraints for manufacturable ply thickness (PLYMAN). To modify this number, click Edit.
balance: no. of constraints	Display the number of constraints for balancing (BALANCE). To modify this number, click Edit.
constant: no. of constraints	Display the number of constraints for constant thickness (CONST). To modify this number, click Edit.
ply drop-off: no. of constraints	Display the number of constraints for ply drop-off (PLYDRP). To modify this number, click Edit.

Pattern Grouping Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Specify a name for the design variable.
pattern type	Select the pattern type.
second node	Used for 2-plns sym or 3-plns sym types.
ucyc	Specify the number of repetitions in 360 degrees. Used for cyclic or cyc 1-pln types.

Pattern Repetition Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Specify a name for the design variable.
main / secondary / none	Choose whether to establish a main coordinate system, a secondary design variable, or neither.
system /coordinates	Choose to manually enter the values for the coordinate system, or to graphically select the system.
global system / local system	Reference coordinate system.
anchor	Select the anchor node.
sx /sy /sz	Specify x, y and z scale factors.

Zone Based Subpanel

Option	Action
desvar	Select the DSIZE design variable.
zone definition sets	Select sets for zone based (GROUP) free-sizing optimization.

Command Buttons

Button	Action
create	Create the design variable.
edit	Open the property collector panel to edit the property.
reject	Revert the most recent changes.
review	Review the load in the graphic area.
update	Update the load with the most recent changes.
return	Exit the panel.