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Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Model Setup
Create connections and apply loads, constraints, materials, and manufacturing controls to your model.
Manufacturing Controls
Apply manufacturing constraints using shape controls and bead patterns.
Shape Controls
Use the Shape Controls to apply optional constraints to your model such as draw directions or symmetry.
Draw Directions
Draw directions are used to ensure that a design space can be physically manufactured using a specific process such as casting, stamping, or extrusion.
Milling
Apply a 5-axis milling constraint when a 5-axis milling machine will be used.

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Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
- Model Setup
  Create connections and apply loads, constraints, materials, and manufacturing controls to your model.
  - Connections
    Create and define connections such as fasteners, joints, connectors, spot welds, and contacts.
  - Loads and Constraints
    Apply loads and supports, displacements, accelerations, gravity, temperatures, and center of gravity.
  - Materials and Libraries
    Create materials, assign materials to parts, and organize them into libraries.
  - Concentrated Masses
    Use the Masses tool to create a concentrated mass either on a part or at a point in space.
  - Systems
    Use the Systems tool to create and apply user-defined coordinate systems to loads, supports, and displacements.
  - Manufacturing Controls
    Apply manufacturing constraints using shape controls and bead patterns.
    - Shape Controls
      Use the Shape Controls to apply optional constraints to your model such as draw directions or symmetry.
      - Draw Directions
        Draw directions are used to ensure that a design space can be physically manufactured using a specific process such as casting, stamping, or extrusion.
        Single Draw
        A single draw direction is a type of manufacturing constraint, and is used when the parting plane between the halves of the mold lies outside the design space.
        Split Draw
        A split draw direction is a type of manufacturing constraint, and is used when the parting plane between the halves of the mold lies inside the design space.
        Radial
        A radial draw direction is a type of manufacturing constraint. It is used when a machining tool needs to enter in a radial direction toward the center of the plane.
        Stamping
        A stamping constraint should be used when the manufacturing process calls for stamping rather than casting.
        Extrusion
        Extrusion is a type of manufacturing constraint. It is similar to a single draw constraint, but the profile of the resulting shape maintains a constant cross-section along the draw direction.
        Overhang
        Overhang is a type of constraint used in additive layer manufacturing. It is used to eliminate overhang and create a more self-supporting structure, which helps minimize the need to add support structures when printing your part.
        Milling
        Apply a 5-axis milling constraint when a 5-axis milling machine will be used.
        Obstacles
        Designate parts as obstacles when applying a single, split, or radial draw direction.
      - Symmetry and Cyclic Repetition
        Symmetry and cyclic repetition are used to create optimized shapes with repeating patterns and/or nearly symmetric results.
      - List Shape Controls
        Use the Shape Controls table to view and manage shape controls that have been applied to your model.
    - Bead Patterns
      Beads are used to help meet specific design requirements such as stiffness when running a topography optimization on a surface.
  - Mesh Controls
    Use mesh controls to assign an element size to parts or faces.
  - Temperatures
    Use the Temperature tool to simulate the effects of temperature changes on your model.
  - Center of Gravity (COG)
    Use the Center of Gravity Constraint (COG) tool to apply, reposition, and set upper and lower bounds for a center of gravity constraint. COG constraints are used to limit the position of the center of gravity while running a topology optimization.
  - Gravity
    Use the Gravity tool to apply gravitational acceleration (G) and adjust its direction.
- Structural Analysis
  Set up and run a linear static analysis using the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver. You can also analyze normal modes and buckling modes.
- Structural Optimization
  Set up and run a topology, topography, or gauge optimization.
- Report
  Generate PPT or PDF reports from analysis results. The Report tools are available after you have run an analysis.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Milling

Apply a 5-axis milling constraint when a 5-axis milling machine will be used.

“5-axis” refers to the number of directions in which the cutting tool can move. On a 5-axis machining center, the cutting tool not only moves along the x, y, and z linear axes, but also rotates about the x- and z-axes. This allows the tool to approach the workpiece from any direction, allowing complex shapes to be machined. The geometry that can be machined is constrained by the tool dimensions and subsequent machining access. The access angle or tool dimensions must also be defined.

Apply a 5-Axis Milling Constraint

Apply a spherical draw direction, used when a machining tool needs a center of a sphere to remove material.

On the Structure ribbon, select the Draw Direction tool on the Shape Controls icon.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
Select the Milling tool on the secondary ribbon.
Click a design space to apply a 5-axis milling constraint to one or more parts of interest.
A microdialog appears, along with a set of three blue orthogonal planes.
You can define the tooling dimensions by selecting either Access Angle Parameters or Drill Bill Diameters from the rightmost dropdown in the microdialog:
- Access Angle Parameters: Define the access angle by defining the Access Radius and the Access Depth, where the angle is r/d.
- Drill Bill Diameters: Define the dimensions of the milling bit and head by entering the Tool Radius, Tool Length, and Clamp Radius.
Optional: Click Obstacles on the microdialog to designate parts as obstacles for the machining. These parts will prevent tool access through them.
For more information, see Obstacles.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Milling Examples

Pumping Housing Optimization

Figure 1. Milling Constraint with Non-Design Structure Defined as Obstacle

Figure 2. Optimized Shape with 5-Axis Milling Constraint Applied—Note the Lack of Undercuts

Figure 3. Final Realized Geometry