Website for Altair/FIRST:
https://web.altair.com/first-robotics
Download Inspire here:
https://web.altair.com/inspire-personal-edition?hsCtaAttrib=189604035083
Sponsorship for teams:
https://altair.com/technology-sponsorship-request
What is Altair Inspire?
Altair Inspire is an all-in-one design and simulation tool that lets you go beyond CAD to build smarter, stronger robots—without needing advanced engineering experience. It combines structural analysis, motion simulation, and optimization tools in one easy-to-use platform.
You can sketch, model, test, and improve parts—all before manufacturing.
Photos via HOT Team #67: YouTube - HOT 67 Student Contest 2025
Why should I use Altair Inspire?
After you’ve got an initial CAD model prepped, it’s time to make sure your design will actually work. That’s where Altair Inspire comes in. It allows your team to:
- Avoid broken parts by simulating stress and identifying weak points early.
- Lightweight efficiently with topology optimization to remove excess material.
- Validate 3D-printed parts to ensure they’ll survive competition use.
- Simulate robot motion to check linkages, arms, and drivetrains move as expected.
- Learn real-world engineering used in top industries like aerospace and automotive.
Altair Inspire is fast and accessible—perfect for student teams that want to go beyond just “does it fit?” to “does it work, and can we make it better?” Plus, it’s free for all FIRST teams.
How do I use Altair Inspire?
Altair Inspire is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
Follow along with the downloadable modules below (contains video, instructions, .step initial file, .stmod results file):
1. Import & Analyze (Structure):
Bring in your robot parts or full assembly from any major CAD tool (like Onshape, SolidWorks, or STEP files). Inspire supports a wide range of formats and works great as a simulation add-on to your existing design team workflow.
Module 1 files: Module 1: Structural Analysis Torsional.zip
2. More Analyzing (Structure):
Apply forces, constraints, and define material to run a quick structural simulation. Identify where your parts might bend, snap, or fail.
Module 2 files: Module 2: Structural Analysis Strength.zip
3. Optimize (Structure):
Use topology optimization to automatically redesign parts (or take a filled in general shape of a part with the desired size), removing unnecessary material while keeping strength. Export these lightweighted designs back to your CAD tool or manufacture.
Module 3 files: Module 3: Optimization.zip
4. Motion Simulation:
Simulate how your robot or mechanism moves. Add actuators, motors, or gravity to see realistic motion and catch mechanical issues before they happen.
Module 4 files: Module 4: Motion Simulation.zip
5. Analyze (with Motion):
Measure loads, torques, and forces generated during movement. This helps you understand where high stress occurs in real gameplay scenarios.
Module 5 files: Module 5: Structural Analysis from Motion.zip
6. Optimize (with Motion):
Use motion results to drive even smarter structural optimization—designing parts that are tailored for the actual forces they’ll experience.
Module 6 files: Module 6: Optimization from Motion.zip
Bonus Inspire tools/features to take note of:
PolyNURBS (Smoothing the Geometry)
Clean up or smooth those optimized parts using push–pull modeling—like digital clay. Add fillets, smooth surfaces, and make parts printer- or CNC-ready fast.
Manufacture (Prep for CNC / Traditional Manufacturing)
Check undercuts, parting lines, and tool directions. Simulate forming and mold flow to ensure your part is manufacturable via machining or casting.
Print3D (Prep for 3D Printing aka Additive Manufacturing)
Orient parts, add supports, and export printer-ready files—without leaving Inspire. Go straight from sim to print.
Material Selection (Built-in + Custom)
Choose from Inspire’s built-in material library—aluminum, steel, plastics, etc.—and simulate how your parts will actually perform.
Need something specific? You can add your own materials by entering properties like Young’s modulus, density, and yield strength.
Additional Resources
New User Video Series for Inspire:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ7KUGFuVz4tfImNdUIOj_Lekk0a9mK3v&si=VygFnqagknS5XvSK
Inspire Academic Hub (for faculty & students):
https://web.altair.com/academic-hub-inspire
FIRST Workshops:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ7KUGFuVz4tEkwHK3rFWRIVlSG-fSbaC&si=4O9WHtQVlCEyeQFd
Inspire 2025.1 Detailed Product Page:
https://help.altair.com/inspire/en_us/topics/inspire/get_started/videos_gs_r.htm
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