Installing Ansys

Owned by Saheed Quadri
Last updated: Sept 19, 2024
4 min read

Ansys provides a wide software suite for Multiphysics simulation and modelling of real world systems.

Although Ansys includes packages for computer aided design (Discovery and SpaceClaim), the mechanical team works only with SolidWorks for CAD modelling and makes use of Ansys Mechanical products for Finite Element Analysis of designed mechanical components.

Note that SolidWorks also provides a built in FEA simulation environment which is good enough for most basic analyses. Ansys will be used for more advanced / specialized FEA models requiring detailed analysis.

This document details the steps for getting started with Ansys software packages that are useful to the mechanical design workflow of UWRT projects.

Please reach out to one the Mechanical leads (@Saheed Quadri, @Yu-Ming He )if you run into any problems during this installation.

Requirements

  • Windows computer (Linux installation possible but not tested)

  • 32GB of storage

  • Stable internet connection

  • Patience

Ansys Automated Installer

  • Go to the Ansys download page

  • Create an account using your student email address and proceed to login

Note: When creating an account, you will encounter this field. Reach out to one of the mechanical leads (@Saheed Quadri, @Yu-Ming He) to get the team’s customer account number providing design team access to Ansys.

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  • Fill in all other fields appropriately to create your Ansys account.

 

Upon successful login, click the above download link again. You will directed to this page

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  • Ensure you have the latest release selected in the pulldown tab

  • Download the Ansys Automated Installer

Ansys Software Installation

Note that this installation will take up to 2 hours to complete, only begin at an appropriate time.

  • This installer pops up when you run the executable file.

  • Sign in via the browser redirect to proceed

  • Accept defaults or choose a desired location to store program files

The following software packages are applicable to our team projects, but you may explore others as desired.

  • Mechanical Products

  • Additive

  • Material Calibration

  • Autodyn

  • Motion

  • Complete the installation

Note: If you wish to explore Ansys integrated CAD + Simulation software, discovery is recommended

Team License Server

Ansys provides free licensees for our members as a student team. To access, you must setup your computer’s connection to the team license server.

  • Download ZeroTier and run the executable file

  • Enable any necessary permissions for the ZeroTier app

  • Connect to the team’s ZeroTier server

    • Open the ZeroTier app

    • The app runs in the background and can be found in the hidden items tab

    • Expand this tab and right click the ZeroTier icon

  • Select Join New Network.. Enter the team’s ZeroTier network ID: FADA62B015B44800 and join

  • You will need authorization from a Mechanical lead to be activated on the team license server network.

Activating Ansys License

Once ZeroTier is setup and authorized you will be able to connect Ansys to the team license server

  • Run the Ansys License Settings app as Administrator

  • Toggle the enable button and enter the following parameters

Port = 1055 Server 1 = 192.168.192.204

  • Click Test
    A green check mark appears if you correctly setup and have been authorized to the ZeroTier server

  • Click save to complete setup

Congratulations! You have now successfully configured your design team access to Ansys.

Getting Started

Some beginner guides are linked below: