The following updates were made to the Mechanical add-ons for Release 2026 R1:
The DesignLife add-on offers the following capabilities:
A new Weld Line Creator worksheet allows you to generate weld definition files for use with solid element models.
The Walker Mean Stress Correction method is supported for Stress Life, Strain Life, Shell Seam Weld, Solid Seam Weld and Safety Factor analyses.
Temperature Selection Method is available for temperature loads in time domain Stress Life and Strain Life analyses.
For Stress and Strain analyses, the S-N and E-N Curves defined for the Multi-Curve materials are plotted together with the Modified S-N Curves and Modified E-N Curves based on the application of surface correction factors.
A Virtual Strain Gauge Graph post-processing object has been added to validate Virtual Strain Gauge time series results.
Damage and Rainflow Histogram Plot post-processing objects.
The Time Series Load Definition for Time Domain Loads includes support for Sinusoidal loading.
The View Time Series Plot option for a Time Series Load allows you to display the selected time series file in a graph.
The NVH Toolkit add-on now includes:
The Number Of Paired Modes calculated for Result Optimization in the MAC Calculator.
The Maximum Number of Sensors in the Sensor Definition for the Pre-Test Calculator now also takes into account any manually-added sensors.
The FRF Calculator offers Curve-Fitting Analysis and a corresponding Stabilization Chart, displaying all associated information in graphical format.
HDF5 file support for the MAC Calculator.
Aggressive and Conservative Filtering Options for the MAC Calculator.
Expanded Visualization Options for Mode Animation View. File 1 and File 2 mode shape results can be superimposed and animated in a single graphical window.
An option has been added to the FRF DOF Pairs Table to allow computation of the FRF.
Modes Filtering Options are available in the MAC Frequency Worksheet.
A new Fast Dynamic Response add-on has been created, including:
The Fast PSD Response object, providing a spectrum response for a structural component subject to random excitation.
The Fast Frequency Response object, providing a frequency response for a structural component subject to a harmonic load.
Updates for the Additive Manufacturing add-ons are described in the Additive Manufacturing Release Notes.
A new Export To STAR add-on exports the results of an Ansys Mechanical analysis to files that can be loaded into the Ansys Zemax OpticStudio application via the STAR Multiphysics Data Loader. The exported files contain multiphysics datasets, including surface deformation, thermal profiles, and stress files. Export to STAR formats and names these FEA datasets for easy import into the Zemax OpticStudio software. This streamlines the export process and helps you to keep track of the FEA datasets and the surface(s) where they are assigned in an optical design.
A new Weld Process add-on manages welding process simulations and makes it easier to set up welding models for Static Structural and Transient Thermal analyses. This add-on includes:
A Weld Process object that lets you configure weld parameters, heat source model, and deposition settings for your welding simulation.
A Weld Setup object that lets you import and generate a welding sequence, which is displayed in an editable worksheet. You can add multiple Weld Setup objects to simulate parallel welding processes.
A Weld Penetration result object that shows how the welding process affects the temperature profile around the weld regions. You can add multiple Weld Penetration result objects to visualize temperature profiles for different weld regions.