Exercise 12: Advanced selection using the Performance Index Finder

The Performance Index Finder lets you plot a performance index on a chart as a combined property.

Note: The Performance Index Finder is only enabled in Level 3 databases.

In this exercise, you will use the Performance Index Finder to find the materials best suited for a beam, loaded in bending, that is part of a low cost, lightweight, strength-limited design.

  1. Select a Level 3 database and data table
    1. Click Change... under Selection Data to change the database to Level 3.
    2. Select from: MaterialUniverse: All bulk materials.
  2. Create a chart using the Performance Index Finder
    1. Click Chart/Index, then select the Performance Index Finder radio button.
  3. Enter the Component Definition for the Y-Axis
    Function and Loading:
    Beam in bending
    Limiting Constraint:
    Strength
    Optimize
    Mass

    Keep the default values for Free and Fixed Variables, and Axis Settings.

  4. Enter the Component Definition for the X-Axis
    1. Go to the X-Axis tab and select Performance Index Finder. Set the following values:
      Function and Loading:
      Beam in bending
      Limiting Constraint:
      Strength
      Optimize
      Cost

      Keep the default values for Free and Fixed Variables, and Axis Settings.

  5. View the chart
    1. Click OK to view the chart.

    Materials in the bottom-left corner are best suited for a lightweight, low cost, strength-limited design.

  6. Delete this stage.