LightSolver and Ansys Collaborate to Improve Engineering Simulation Efficiency
LightSolver, developers of a laser-based computing paradigm, have partnered with Ansys, a provider of engineering simulation software. The collaboration seeks to integrate light LightSolver’s technology with Ansys LS-DYNA—a tool for nonlinear dynamic structural simulation—to improve simulation efficiency in industries such as automotive and aerospace.
LightSolver’s all-optical Laser Processing Unit (LPU) uses laser interactions to perform large and complex computations. The LPU processes at the speed of light, making it suitable for tasks that require numerous iterations. These include optimization problems and simulations related to transport scheduling, supply chain management, financial risk assessment, climate modeling and computer-aided engineering (CAE).
LightSolver offers a digital platform that mimics the function of the LPU and accelerating computations for certain use cases. The two companies have conducted successful tests of this digital platform on various implicit mechanical analysis cases, resulting in reduced floating-point operations and storage requirements. This collaboration aims to shorten product development cycles, providing more accurate design insights and lowering costs for users of complex engineering models.
Multiphysics simulation such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEM) often involve calculations across billions of grid points for many time steps, which can take considerable time. In recent tests, LightSolver optimized sparse matrix reordering within the Ansys LS-DYNA solver, reducing the computation needed and enabling faster simulation runtimes.
“We’re excited to partner with Ansys and augment the value of their multiphysics simulation tools through acceleration,” said LightSolver CEO and co-founder Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D. “Modeling in computer-aided engineering remains one of the most computationally intensive workloads requiring specialized HPC infrastructure. We’re looking forward to providing clients with increased value as our hardware platform continues to evolve.”
Machine Design reached out to Ben-Shlomi to learn a bit more about the collaboration.
Editor’s note: Questions and answers may be edited for style and clarity.
Machine Design: What design challenges does this partnership aim to address, and how does it facilitate problem-solving for MD’s audience?
Ruti Ben-Shlomi: Essentially, it is accelerating LS-DYNA. As a consequence, it saves compute resources (frees machines, saves energy). It will enable users to model more and get better insights.
MD: Can you explain the user experience and interface as it pertains to MD’s audience of design and mechanical engineers—what makes it intuitive or user-friendly?
RB: Once fully integrated into Ansys solvers, LightSolver will work “behind the scenes” and not impact users’ workflows, but accelerate run times.
MD: Can you explain the process of working with Ansys and how you came to partner with them?
RB: Ansys is constantly looking for accelerators—i.e., advanced computing technologies, including post-silicon paradigms—that can speed up heavy CAE workloads. We collaborated with a team that evaluated such platforms, including quantum-inspired solutions. Specifically, the work consisted of optimizing sparse matrix re-ordering within LS-DYNA to reduce floating point operations and storage, eventually shortening run times. We showed superior results for a series of test cases vs. other tested solutions and continue to work with the Ansys team on additional use cases and full integration.
MD: What are the sustainability features and how do they contribute to eco-friendly design practices?
RB: By reducing floating point operations and storage, LightSolver helps shorten computing times and, hence, save energy.
MD: Can you talk about any use cases or applications that our audience can consider in relation to this announcement?
RB: The main applications are in mechanical implicit analyses in the automotive and aerospace industries, such as crash and impact analysis, jet engine modelling, fluid-structure interactions, composite material forming, etc.
