Optimization

Using Adams Insight you can optimize your factor values based on a response surface (fitted regression model). If your experiment uses a simulation conduit that supports direct execution, you can also directly optimize your experiment using simulations. During optimization, Adams Insight automatically adjusts the factor values so that the resulting responses come as closely as possible to the specified target values.

To optimize a response surface, select a model under Analysis in the tree view, then select Tools->Optimize Model or the Optimize tool in the toolbar. Adams Insight displays the Optimize Model or Experiment dialogbox. Adams Insight uses the fitted model to estimate the response values.

To directly optimize your experiment, select Simulation->Run->Direct. Adams Insight displays the Optimization Form. Adams Insight runs simulations to compute the response values. If Simulation->Run->Direct is disabled, the simulation conduit for your experiment does not support direct execution and you will not be able to directly optimize your experiment. The MSC.Patran, Easy5, and ASCII conduits support direct execution by Adams Insight.

The Optimization form in Adams Insight displays your model’s factors (Design Variables) and responses (design objectives). Only scalar responses are shown; composite responses are not displayed.

Using the factor controls, you can:

Using the response controls, you can specify:

Using Adams Insight, you can perform Single-Objective Optimization and Multi-Objective Optimization. Single-objective optimization involves trying to achieve a target for one scalar response; multi-objective optimization involves more than one scalar response. If you choose more than one response as objectives, Adams Insight will calculate a multi-objective cost based on the objective options, targets, weights, and multi-objective method option. Adams Insight will then minimize the overall multi-objective cost.

If you want to do a direct optimization using simulations, it is a good idea to first create a response surface, optimize that, then use the Save button in the Optimization Form to save your settings and the optimal point as the new defaults. Then, when you do the direct optimization, the response minimum and maximum values will be good estimates, and the starting point for the direct optimization will be a good starting point to find the true optimum. If you do not do an initial response surface and optimization, be sure to specify appropriate response minimum and maximum values in the Response form, in the Optimization tab. For more information on optimizing in Adams Insight, refer to Optimizing Results in Using Adams Insight with Adams View.