If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at sales@padtinc.com or contact PADT’s Simulation Support Manager Ted Harris at Ted.Harris@padtinc.com.
Tag: Engineering
ANSYS Discovery Live – Fluid Flows Webinar Recording & FAQ
Below you can find some of the most frequently asked questions from this webinar, along with our answers.
Q: What computer and license type are you actually using for running the simulation? Ram, cores, CPU, etc.
A: 16 GB RAM Intel i7, NVIDIA Quadro K1100M
Q: Is the solver running a transient solution in the background while you are post processing and haven’t paused it, or is it marching towards better convergence of a steady state solution?
A: The solver is running a transient solution the entire time. The only time it is not doing this is if I pause the simulation.
Q: Does this require 3D models to be built within Discovery Live, or it can import outside 3D models (Solidworks etc) and still allows the user to add/modify geometry objects on the fly within Discovery Live?
A: Yes, you can import any CAD native format or neutral format in Discovery Live. You can also create Geometry from scratch in Discovery Live using the SpaceClaim tools.
Q: It looks like when you change the “speed – fidelity” setting, the solver resets; while when you change other settings (like domain geometry), the solution continues from last step. What’s being changed when you change the “speed-fidelity” setting?
A: When you change the Speed-Fidelity setting, the computational grid of the domain is coarsened or refined. It is also re-partitioned/parallelized on the GPU cores.
Q: Are there predictive features of simulation, obtaining design suggestions from the end results? Are there inputs for end results to accomplish reverse engineering?
A: Yes, in a sense. Because Discovery Live provides literally “real-time” feedback on design changes, you have design suggestions based on the end results. For reverse engineering in Discovery Live: there are not inputs for end results, but the part you’d like to reverse engineer can be imported (or created) in Discovery Live, and then analyzed in the range of operating conditions to understand it’s performance.
Q: Do you have any control of the mesh? How boundary/layer effects can be checked?
A: Control of the mesh available via the Speed-Fidelity slider bar. Boundary layer effects could be checked using surface integrals of force, but again recall that if you’re trying to finely resolve details such as boundary layer physics, you may need to consider the next level of accuracy which would be Discovery AIM or Fluent.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at sales@padtinc.com or contact PADT’s CFD Team Lead Application Engineer Clinton Smith at clinton.smith@padtinc.com.

Introducing the ANSYS Discovery Marketplace
PADT is excited to introduce the latest innovation in ANSYS simulation tools, The ANSYS Discovery Marketplace.
Thanks to developments made by ANSYS Inc, world class simulation software is now available right at your fingertips. This platform drastically speeds up and simplifies the purchasing process while providing you with all of the information you need to ensure that you make the right choice and select the software that works best for you.
The offerings are divided into three bundles: Essentials, Standard, and Ultimate.
Each of these includes a different group of tools and capabilities, taken from the new ANSYS Discovery family of products, which includes Discovery Live, Discovery Space Claim, and Discovery AIM.
Interested in purchasing today or just learning more about these great offerings?
Click the link below to visit our marketplace:
PADT’s 2018 AZ SciTech Festival Open House
Discover the advantages of on-demand Manufacturing with Carbon – Interview pt. 1
The long-term promise of 3D Printing has always been using the technology to replace traditional manufacturing as a way to make production parts.
Carbon is turning the 3D printing world upside down by introducing real production capabilities with their systems, and now that PADT has joined Carbon’s Production Partner Program, on-demand manufacturing using 3D Printing is now a reality in the Southwestern US.
Check out part one of our three part interview series with Carbon’s Production Engineer, Johnathon Wright and PADT’s Additive Manufacturing Solutions Account Manager Renee Palacios, as they answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Carbon’s manufacturing capabilities, and explore what benefits PADT can provide as a Carbon Production Partner.
Keep an eye our for part 2, coming soon.
You can also view a recording of our recent webinar covering Carbon here: https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/15747/293721
Ready to start a conversation on what Carbon can do for your company?
Click the link and fill out the form to get in touch with a PADT representative and further discuss this opportunity.
All Things ANSYS 012 – Live From New Mexico: A Look at What’s New in ANSYS 19
Published on: | January 30, 2018 | |||
With: | David Mastel, Joe Woodword, Manoj Mahendran, Matt Sutton, Michael Griesi, Tom Chadwick, Ted Harris, Eric Miller | |||
Description: | In this episode your host and Co-Founder of PADT, Eric Miller is joined by PADT’s David Mastel, Joe Woodword, Manoj Mahendran, Matt Sutton, Michael Griesi, Tom Chadwick, and Ted Harris, for a discussion on what is new and improved in the recently released ANSYS 19. | |||
Listen: | ||||
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Exploring On-Demand Manufacturing with Carbon 3D – Webinar
Join Carbon’s Production Engineer, Johnathon Wright and PADT’s Additive Manufacturing Solutions Account Manager Renee Palacios for a discussion on the various capabilities and applications of Carbon 3D’s exciting new technology.
Attend this free webinar in order to learn about:
- What PADT’s capabilities are as a production partner
- How using Carbon is cheaper and faster than other methods
- Carbon’s unique end product material properties
- And so much more!
If this is your first time registering for one of our Bright Talk webinars, simply click the link and fill out the attached form. We promise that the information you provide will only be shared with those promoting the event (PADT).
You will only have to do this once! For all future webinars, you can simply click the link, add the reminder to your calendar and you’re good to go!

Introducing the 2017 ANSYS Arizona Innovation Conference
As the world of manufacturing continues to grow and change, engineers are being challenged to design, test, and evaluate products in increasingly complex environments. In such a time it is necessary to rely on an all-encompassing simulation platform that can handle a variety of physics efficiently, operating as a one stop shop for complete virtual prototyping. ANSYS is that platform!
Join us for this informative seminar including presentations from customers and ANSYS technical experts, focusing on how to effectively implement the ANSYS platform and productivity enhancement tools into your work-flow.
Through this free event we hope to inform you on how a single consolidated platform for complete virtual prototyping can help to drive efficiency across your company!
Date: October 4, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM MST AZ
Location: ASU SkySong – Building 3
1365 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Check out the full agenda, with presentations covering a plethora of topics including:
- ANSYS Solutions for Additive Manufacturing
- Wireless Connectivity with RF Engineering
- Commercial Antenna Array Work Flow Using ANSYS Electromagnetic Tools
This event will include presentations from customers and ANSYS technical experts alike, focusing on how to effectively implement the ANSYS platform and productivity enhancement tools into your work-flow.

Phoenix Business Journal: Taking time to be thankful for being able to do this engineering thing
Not a lot of people have the same advantage that I do, I have a profession that I really like. Being an engineer is fascinating and a true pleasure because engineering is hard, and when smart people do it right it is so interesting and exciting. It is about the process and figuring stuff out – like a solving good puzzle, but better. Learn more about why I like what I do in “Taking time to be thankful for being able to do this engineering thing“
ANSYS 18 – SpaceClaim Webinar
In its latest release, ANSYS SpaceClaim further
integrates its ease of use and rapid geometry manipulation capabilities into common simulation workflows. From large changes to behind the scenes enhancements, you’ll notice efficiency improvements across the board. You’ll save time automating geometry tasks with the expanded recording and replay capabilities of SpaceClaim’s enhanced scripting environment.
Join PADT’s Application Engineer Tyler Smith for this webinar and learn about several improvements that are guaranteed to save time, enhance your designs and improve overall usability. We’ll cover:
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Continued development of SpaceClaim’s scripting environment. With expanded recording capabilities and replayability of scripts on model versions, you’ll save time in the steps needed to automate geometry tasks.
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Faceted data optimization and smoothing enhancements. You can greatly simplify and smooth topology optimized STL data for downstream printing, while preserving the integrity of localized regions.
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Lattice Infilling for additive manufacturing. The Infilling functionality has greatly expanded to include several lattice infill types, all with custom options to ensure your 3-D printed component has an ideal strength-to-weight relationship.
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Exploration of inner details of a model with the new fly-through capability. Without hiding components or using cross sections, this capability provides graphical feedback at your fingertips while making it even more enjoyable to work in a 3-D environment.
Introducing: The PADT Startup Spotlight
In support of the ANSYS Startup Program, PADT is proud to introduce the PADT Startup Spotlight.
We here at PADT are firm believers in the opinion that today’s startup companies are tomorrow’s industry leaders and thus should be give every possible opportunity to thrive and succeed.
As a result we are offering full access to our promotional capabilities in order to help startup companies developing physical prototypes to grow and develop in a competitive environment.
We will look through those startups that have purchased the ANSYS Startup Package through PADT, and select one to feature and promote, that we believe clearly represents the drive and entrepreneurial spirit that is key in order to succeed in today’s day and age.
Presenting the first Startup Spotlight:
Since their inception in 2014, Velox Motorsports has always been focused on speed; whether that be the speed of the NASCAR teams they have worked with or the desire their customers have for speed, which drives their competitiveness and fuels the demand for their products.
They even show a passion for speed in the company’s name (Velox), which translates from Latin to “swift or speed”.
Visit www.padtinc.com/startupspotlight for more information on Velox Motorsports and The PADT Startup Spotlight.
Phoenix Business Journal: Flaming hoverboards – Why engineering matters
Engineering is all around us, but most people don’t think about how important engineering is to our modern lives. In “Flaming hoverboards: Why engineering matters” I take a look at a specific example of where a lack of engineering can cause problems.
Introducing Design Days: Free engineering consultation for Startups
PADT and CEI are teaming up to answer any startup’s questions about engineering and manufacturing for their physical product. Over the years we have found lots of early stage companies who benefited from spending a little bit of time with an experienced product development engineer. Finding time for them to stop by PADT was always difficult to schedule and never seemed worked out. Or we would meet people at events and try and talk in a corner, still not good.
So last month during Phoenix StartupWeek CEI and PADT tried having some time where people could stop by and talk. It went really well for everyone involved, so Design Days was born.
Our first one will be held on April 14, 2016 at CEI’s offices in Phoenix. The idea is simple, you get one hour with an experienced mechanical engineer to talk about whatever you want. We can spend the time talking about:
- Suggestions for how to properly design your product
- Get contacts at local resources that can help you
- Brainstorm solutions to technical problems
- Discuss the weather (it’s your hour)
- Get an idea of what it would take to design and prototype your product
- Answer questions about software and hardware tools you may need
- Bounce ideas off someone new
- Review manufacturing options
- Get advice on the next steps you should be taking
- Or whatever else you want to discuss
You don’t have to be an existing CEI client, a new company or an old one. You just need to want to talk to our engineers.
Sign up for one of the available one hour slots here. Our plan is to do this once a month, and if it works, try some other incubators as well.
Here is some basic information you should be aware of:
- Do not ask for Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). PADT engineers operate under a strict company code of ethics; therefore no additional NDA is required.
- This is meant for companies developing physical products, not software.
- It is open to companies at ANY stage of development, not just startups. Entrepreneurs of any age, including students, are also welcome.
- This is not a discussion about funding nor is it a sales pitch (from either side)
- Do not expect a functioning prototype or design nor will PADT engineers solve your technical problems. To fully engage in PADT’s design, prototyping and simulation services, there will be a cost involved to be agreed upon by both parties.
Our impromptu trial “Design Days” session during Phoenix StartupWeek.
Kids, Pizza, Engineering – A Fantastic SciTech Festival Open House at PADT
We thought we would open PADT’s doors to families and maybe a few people would stop by. Over 250 people did just that. What a great evening of smiling kids and adults enjoying the excitement of engineering. Exciting engineering? Yes, we know enough to not talk about quality system protocols, matrix inversions, and non-linear turbulence model convergence. We stuck to 3D Printing, elephants on skateboards, and 3D scanners. And we fed everyone pizza.
It was a great evening where everyone learned something. The focus was on exposing what engineers do, what PADT does, to people who may not be technical. Mostly kids but we also saw it as a way for engineers to show their family members and friends what engineering is about. The results far exceeded our expectation, mostly because of how great everyone who showed up was.
Some of the quotes from people who have emailed to thank us are:
“Thank you for opening up your office to me. What a cool place! Even though I have been familiar with and worked with 3D printing for 20+ years, it is always nice to see the new technology, products, and the output of the products. “
“… to see my son and all of the other kids so excited and amazed was truly awesome. Mason told me it was the best night of his life! And this morning his first words to me where thanking me for taking him to the event and when can we go back.”
“This is such a great opportunity for me to show my grandkids what I spent my life doing, and seeing them get so excited about it is wonderful”
The best part of the event for most of us here at PADT were the fantastic questions. As one of our engineers said “for 2 hours I was just lost in the joy of positive human interaction.” We do love what we do here, but it was nice to share it with other people.
Below are some pictures from the evening. Make sure you sign up for PADT’s email list to get invites to future events.













PADT Hosts Lunch and Learn: Living in an Engineered World
PADT was pleased to host an Arizona Technology Council (AZTC) Lunch and Learn today.
The topic, “Living in an Engineered World: A look at the Impact of the Engineering Process on all Aspects of Business and How to Take Advantage of It,” attracted a diverse crowd of business owners, educators, salespeople, and others.
The gist of the talk was presented by Eric Miller, one of PADT’s owners, advanced the theory that humans live in a world that is engineered by humans, and that one can benefit by viewing most aspects of business and life from an engineering frame of reference. It also stressed the importance of process and process optimization in today’s world, as well as the need to understand how people make decisions based on their value propositions.
The talk was followed by a lively question and answer sessions that was in some ways more thought provoking than the presentation.
If you would like to learn more, contact eric.miller@padtinc.com.