Simcenter Simsolid 2026.1 (2606) continues to advance structural analysis directly on native CAD models, without requiring geometry simplification or conventional finite element meshing. This release focuses on analyzing complex assemblies, improving result reliability and performance, and strengthening data connectivity with NX and Teamcenter.

Updates are organized around four themes: Model the complexity, Explore the possibilities, Go faster, and Stay integrated. Simcenter Simsolid enables rapid analysis of fully detailed CAD assemblies on desktop, cloud, and HPC platforms. Application examples presented in the slides include RINGER (scaffolding structures) and Tadano (lifting equipment structures).

I. MODEL THE COMPLEXITY

1. More Accurate Friction-Induced Squeak Assessment with Squeak Evaluation

In assemblies with relative motion, combining Squeak and Rattle results may fail to adequately identify certain events caused solely by frictional sliding.

Simcenter Simsolid 2026.1 introduces a separate Squeak evaluation output and an improved peak-to-peak assessment method that reflects actual relative displacement across time steps.

Key benefits:

• Targeted detection of slip events that may generate squeak;
• Reduced risk of overlooking contact locations that require attention;
• Earlier identification of potential design improvements.

2. Control Sampling Point Density with the Spacing Parameter

Sampling point density along contact interfaces directly affects evaluation detail and computational time.

The new Spacing parameter provides precise control over the distance between sampling points, allowing users to adjust sampling density to geometry and analysis requirements.

Key benefits:

• Flexible trade-off between analysis quality and computational cost;
• Concentrated sampling at interfaces of interest;
• Consistent settings across different contact configurations.

3. Review and Edit Sampling Point Sets Directly

Previously, limited visibility and management of individual sampling point sets made it difficult to review Squeak & Rattle model settings.

A new dialog enables comprehensive viewing and real-time editing of sampling point sets, allowing the sampling scope to be verified during model preparation.

Key benefits:

• Less time spent troubleshooting setup issues;
• Better visibility and control of individual point sets;
• Model verification before analysis.

4. Define Separate Tolerances for Each Contact Point Set

A single global tolerance does not always adequately represent the physical behavior of assemblies with different contact types.

The new release allows separate Open/Close and Stick/Slip tolerances for each sampling point set instead of relying solely on global settings.

Key benefits:

• More faithful representation of specific contact conditions;
• More meaningful Squeak & Rattle predictions;
• Improved differentiation of risks between interfaces with different operating mechanisms.

5. Extend Linear Buckling Analysis to Contact Nonlinearity

Conventional linear buckling analysis has limitations when an assembly’s contact state changes under loading.

Simsolid 2026.1 supports linear buckling with contact nonlinearity, retaining the contact state from the structural analysis for buckling assessment.

Key benefits:

• Applicability to assemblies with active contacts;
• Reduced need for alternative workarounds;
• Buckling assessment better aligned with the loaded structural state.

6. Improve Dynamic Stress Accuracy with Adapt to Features

Some geometric features may not be adequately adapted in dynamic analyses, leading to discrepancies in predicted stress distributions.

The Adapt to Features option has been added to modal analysis. The system monitors traction error during analysis to help improve stress distributions in dynamic solutions.

Key benefits:

• Higher-quality dynamic stress predictions in critical geometric regions;
• Reduced deviation in the example presented in the slides;
• Better structural assessment in vibration analyses.

Illustrative example: peak stress is 38.2 MPa in OptiStruct, 56.3 MPa in Simsolid 2026.0, and 37.2 MPa in Simsolid 2026.1. These values refer to the specific example model and do not represent all analyses.

II. EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES

7. Automatically Identify Local Extrema in Simulation Results

Manually locating local peaks and valleys on contour plots can be time-consuming and may overlook important locations.

The Local Extrema tool automatically identifies both local maximum and minimum values in displayed results.

Key benefits:

• Rapid identification of hotspots and stress concentrations;
• Less manual inspection of complex contour data;
• Easier comparison of critical locations across design alternatives.

8. Visualize Results in a Selected Region with Result Box

For large models, users often need to evaluate the behavior of a particular region rather than the entire assembly.

The Result Box option limits result visualization and plotting to a user-selected model region.

Key benefits:

• Focused assessment of local behavior;
• Reduced visual clutter when viewing full-model results;
• Detailed examination of areas requiring improvement.

9. Clearly Display Whirl Direction in Rotordynamics

Distinguishing forward whirl from backward whirl in rotor analysis results is essential when evaluating rotational vibration behavior.

Each mode now explicitly displays its whirl direction, enabling users to identify the motion characteristics directly.

Key benefits:

• Easy differentiation between forward and backward whirl modes;
• Clearer interpretation of rotordynamics results;
• Better-informed rotor system design decisions.

III. GO FASTER

10. New Adaptation Strategy Optimizes Accuracy and Speed

For complex assemblies, the geometric adaptation strategy affects both result correlation and solution time.

Alternative Adaptation improves geometric representation, particularly for parts with holes and plate-like structures, while reducing runtime on two test models.

Key benefits:

• Improved result reliability in geometry-sensitive regions;
• Preservation of the computational advantages of meshless analysis;
• Reduced processing time in the illustrated benchmarks.

Slide benchmark times (minutes): a 3,308-part model decreased from 46 to 32 minutes; a 2,435-part model decreased from 33 to 18 minutes (2026.0 versus 2026.1).

11. More Robust Handling of Assemblies with Poor Connections

Connections with unfavorable geometric aspect ratios can cause numerical instability and may prevent some analyses from converging.

Connection-handling algorithms have been improved for these cases; models that previously encountered error ID 18 may now be solved more reliably.

Key benefits:

• Greater solver stability;
• Less effort spent resolving difficult connections;
• Improved solution quality for complex assemblies.

12. Bulk Import of Remote Masses from CSV Files

Defining each remote mass and manually mapping it to target faces is time-consuming when a model has many mass attachment locations.

Simsolid 2026.1 can read remote masses directly from a CSV file and automatically map them to selected faces.

Key benefits:

• Less manual data entry and remote mass assignment;
• Fewer configuration errors when using multiple remote masses;
• Shorter model setup time.

13. Standardized Direction Vector Definition

Different dialogs previously used inconsistent methods to define direction vectors, slowing down model setup.

A new widget offers multiple methods of specifying a vector, including direct vector input and angle-based definitions through a dialog or manipulator.

Key benefits:

• Consistent direction-parameter input;
• Greater flexibility in defining load or action directions;
• Faster setup across different analysis types.

14. Define Variable Rotational Speed as a Function

In practice, rotational speed can vary over time according to complex profiles that cannot be represented by a single constant value.

Users can define rotor speed as a function using a CSV file, standard templates, or manually entered data.

Key benefits:

• Flexible representation of speed profiles over time;
• Better support for operating scenarios involving acceleration and deceleration;
• Expanded rotordynamics setup capabilities.

15. Quickly Select Tangent Edge Chains

When creating edge-to-surface connections or sampling points on curved surfaces, selecting consecutive edges individually requires many operations.

The Tangency option selects an entire tangent edge chain in a single operation.

Key benefits:

• Faster edge selection on complex geometry;
• Lower risk of omitting relevant edges;
• More accurate connection and sampling point setup.

16. Create Multiple Datum Planes at Once

Creating multiple datum planes at specified increments or intervals typically requires repetitive operations.

The command now supports batch creation of datum planes using custom increments and spacing.

Key benefits:

• Reduced geometry preparation time;
• Convenient result examination across multiple sections;
• Consistent datum plane arrangements.

17. Improve Environmental Load Calculation Performance

Wind and solar radiation analyses can require considerable processing time, particularly for geometrically complex models.

Release 2026.1 improves load-mapping algorithms and the identification of loaded and shaded regions.

Key benefits:

• Reduced solution time for environmental load analyses;
• More accurate identification of exposed and shadowed regions;
• Better support for structures subjected to wind and solar effects.

IV. STAY INTEGRATED

18. Manage Simsolid Projects Directly in Teamcenter

When simulation project data is managed separately from PLM, tracing results to a specific design revision can be difficult.

Simsolid 2026.1 supports directly saving and opening .SSP project files in Teamcenter, bringing simulation data into a unified product management workflow.

Key benefits:

• Improved traceability of results to design revisions;
• Less fragmented file management;
• Better collaboration between design and simulation teams.

19. Connect NX Models Directly to Simsolid

Manually transferring models between CAD and CAE environments introduces repeated import/export steps and complicates change management.

NX–Simsolid Connect provides direct geometry transfer from NX to Simsolid; release 2606 further extends this integration.

Key benefits:

• Faster CAD-to-CAE data transfer;
• Reduced risk of data inconsistencies during transfer;
• More convenient rapid exploration of design alternatives.

20. Automatically Transfer Material Properties from NX

When geometry is transferred from NX to Simsolid, manually redefining materials can be time-consuming and introduce property inconsistencies.

The NX plug-in now automatically transfers material properties from NX to Simsolid during model transfer.

Key benefits:

• Elimination of a manual material assignment step;
• Improved consistency between design and simulation models;
• Faster analysis preparation.

21. Automatically Exclude Suppressed Parts During Model Transfer

Parts suppressed in NX could previously still appear after transfer to Simsolid, requiring users to delete or hide them manually.

The updated NX plug-in automatically excludes suppressed parts from transfer, ensuring the Simsolid model reflects the active design configuration.

Key benefits:

• Less cleanup after import;
• Analysis of the correct current product configuration;
• Reduced risk of unintentionally including inactive assembly components.

22. Clearer Messages During NX–Simsolid Data Transfer

Uninformative error messages during geometry transfer made it time-consuming to diagnose failures.

Improved messaging describes data transfer issues more clearly and helps identify where errors occur.

Key benefits:

• Faster identification of model transfer errors;
• Shorter troubleshooting time;
• Smoother CAD-to-CAE workflows.

Overall Value of Simcenter Simsolid 2026.1

In addition to enhanced Squeak & Rattle, buckling, and rotordynamics analyses, release 2026.1 improves result assessment with Local Extrema and Result Box; streamlines model setup through CSV, datum planes, and geometry operations; and strengthens CAD/PLM data integration.

• Earlier assessment of squeak, contact, and structural stability issues on fully detailed CAD models.
• Greater confidence in the results demonstrated in the slides without sacrificing rapid deployment.
• Less repetitive work when preparing, running, and interpreting analyses.
• Consistent data transfer from NX to Simsolid and project management in Teamcenter.

Conclusion

Simcenter Simsolid 2026.1 is a practical update for structural simulation: easier setup, clearer result assessment, more robust assembly analysis, and deeper integration into digital engineering workflows. The new capabilities help shorten design validation cycles without requiring engineers to generate conventional FEA meshes.f