Altair Inspire Form
Simulation & CAE software
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What is Altair Inspire Form
Altair Inspire Form is a simulation and CAE application focused on sheet metal forming analysis and manufacturability evaluation. It is used by product engineers and manufacturing engineers to assess forming feasibility, predict defects (such as thinning and wrinkling), and iterate on part and blank design early in development. The product emphasizes an interactive workflow that integrates geometry preparation with forming simulation to support faster design-for-manufacturing decisions.
Purpose-built for sheet forming
The tool centers on sheet metal forming workflows rather than general-purpose structural simulation. It supports common forming assessments such as thinning risk, wrinkling tendencies, and forming limit evaluation to guide manufacturability decisions. This specialization can reduce the amount of setup and interpretation work compared with broader CAE tools when the primary need is forming feasibility.
Early-stage manufacturability feedback
Inspire Form is designed to provide actionable feedback early in the design cycle, when geometry changes are still inexpensive. It helps teams compare design alternatives and blank changes with simulation results tied to forming outcomes. This can improve collaboration between design and manufacturing by making forming constraints visible during concept and detailed design.
Integrated geometry and simulation workflow
The product combines model preparation and forming simulation in a single environment, reducing handoffs between CAD and CAE steps. This can streamline iteration for users who need to modify part features, blank shapes, or process assumptions and re-run analyses. The workflow orientation is useful for engineering teams that prioritize rapid iteration over highly customized solver pipelines.
Narrower scope than general CAE
The product focuses on sheet metal forming and is not a replacement for broad multiphysics or general structural simulation platforms. Teams needing a single environment for a wide range of analyses may still require additional CAE tools. This can increase toolchain complexity for organizations with diverse simulation requirements.
Advanced process modeling limits
Highly specialized forming scenarios (for example, complex multi-stage processes, detailed tooling behavior, or tightly coupled material characterization workflows) may require more specialized forming simulation capabilities than an early-stage tool typically targets. Users may need to validate critical parts with higher-fidelity methods and more detailed process definitions. That can add time when moving from feasibility to production validation.
Learning curve for non-CAE users
Although oriented toward usability, forming simulation still requires understanding of material models, friction assumptions, boundary conditions, and result interpretation. Incorrect setup choices can lead to misleading conclusions about manufacturability. Organizations may need training and internal guidelines to ensure consistent use across teams.
Plan & Pricing
Pricing model: Altair Units (units-based subscription) Details: Inspire Form is licensed via Altair Units. Official Altair documentation indicates Inspire Form draws 30 Altair Units (AUs) for incremental/tryout solver features. Monetary prices (USD or otherwise) are not published on the public product pages; customers are asked to request a quote or view purchase/pricing in the Altair Marketplace (requires login / account mapping). Monetary pricing: Not listed publicly on Altair's product pages (contact provider for a quote or view via Altair Marketplace when logged in). Notes: A “Request a Free Trial” option is presented on the official Inspire Form product page (trial details require requesting/accessing via Altair One/Marketplace).
Seller details
Altair Engineering Inc.
Troy, Michigan, USA
1985
Public
https://www.altair.com/
https://x.com/altair
https://www.linkedin.com/company/altair-engineering/
