Getting Started

For more information about the optimization data as well as the algorithms to be run, see Defining an Optimization and Specifying the Algorithm to be Run.

The purpose of this task is to provide you with a brief outline of how the optimizer works when searching for a target value in both operating modes. No computed data are given because:

• The behavior of the optimization process slightly depends on the platform. This is particularly true for the Simulated Annealing algorithm.
• The algorithms are subject to changes from one version to the other.

1. Open the KwoGettingStarted.CATPart document.

2. If need be:

   Check the Parameters and Relations options in  the Display tab of the Tools > Options... > Infrastructure > Part Infrastructure dialog box.

   Check the With Value,  With Formula options in the Knowledge tab of the Tools > Options... > General > Parameters and Measure dialog box.

   Set the volume unit to cm3. To do so, select the Parameters and Measure option and click the Units tab. In the Units table, select the Volume line and in the scrolling list located below, select Cubic centimeter (cm3). Click OK to validate your settings.

3. From the Start > Knowledgeware menu, access the Product Engineering Optimizer workbench.

4. Click the Optimization icon (). The Optimization dialog box is displayed.

5. In the Problem tab, fill in the fields with the data below:

   Optimization type	Target Value
   Optimized parameter	Volume.1
   Target value	800cm3
   Free Parameters	xA, yA, xB, yB
   Algorithm type	Simulated Annealing Algorithm
   Convergence speed	Fast

   Don't modify the default termination criteria.

6. Check the Save optimization data check box, otherwise the optimization data won't be saved.

7. Check the With update visualization check box. Don't fill in any field in the Constraints tab.

8. Click Run optimization. 

   A file selection window is displayed. Choose a path.

   Click Save to start the optimization process. A box displays the data computed for each iteration. As the optimization is running, you can see the Volume.1  value changing in the specification tree, if not, expand the Relations node in the specification tree.

   After the computation has finished running, the Optimization dialog box displays the values of the free parameters.

9. Click OK and save your document under a new name

1. Re-open the KwoGettingStarted.CATPart document.

2. Repeat the same interactions as above but select the Gradient Algorithm Without Constraint in the Optimization dialog box.

Don't fill in any field in the Constraints tab.

You need approximately 75 evaluations to reach a Volume.1 steady value. The target value is reached quicker than in simulated annealing.