The new products and functionality in HyperWorks 8.0 provide a
simulation technology suite for PLM. This release targets three main areas to aid manufacturers in bringing innovative products to market faster: it provides an integrated multi-disciplinary framework, enables a CAE-driven design process and improves simulation turnaround time.

CAE is becoming multi-disciplinary, as once-separated analysis
disciplines and activities begin to merge. HyperWorks 8.0 broadens
application scope, while adhering to an open-systems environment. This environment is designed to provide clients both flexibility and robust solutions to solve complex problems. Advancements in this release include:

* Multi-body dynamics solver solution. With the release of 8.0,
Altair introduces comprehensive motion analysis software for
mechanical system simulation that includes advanced contact modeling, user sub-routines and full-support flexible bodies.

* Combined FEA/MBD analysis solution. Integrated motion solution
capabilities are now available within OptiStruct/Analysis for coupled flexible- and rigid-body analysis through a single input deck generated from HyperMesh.

* Performance data management solution. Able to be implemented
within existing PDM and ERP deployments, Altair Data Manager is a
flexible data management solution to manage, share and control
engineering simulation and test data at both the user and enterprise levels.

* 3D plotting environment for performance data analysis.
HyperGraph 3D is a 3D-plotting environment for creating 3D plots, such as waterfall, surface and 3D line data, with a toolset for querying information, 3D section-cutting and more.

* Unified environment for manufacturing simulation. Manufacturing
Solutions is a unified virtual manufacturing environment to simulate stamping, extrusion, molding, forging and friction stir welding processes within a single graphical user interface.

HyperWorks 8.0 introduces new technology for conceptual design, model morphing and structural optimization that allows simulation to lead the design process. It does this by addressing product performance and manufacturability earlier in the design cycle.

* Model morphing. An approach to mesh and geometry morphing that
simplifies mesh-based design changes for shell and solid models, as
well as automates the creation of design variables for size and shape optimization.

* Stress-constrained topology and topography optimization. Altair
claims to be first-to-market with stress-constrained topology and
topography optimization in OptiStruct to generate the most efficient conceptual designs for stress-critical structures, such as that of aircraft.

* "Free-shape" and "free-size" optimization. OptiStruct includes
"free-shape" optimization for automated boundary shape variation with minimal user input, and "free-size" optimization to develop robust variable thickness design solutions, composite laminates and
"shear-web"-type structures.

* Frequency-response optimization. Topology, topography, shape and
size optimization capabilities are now available with OptiStruct's
existing frequency-response solution types for improving the dynamic behavior of structures.