Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.
Design Simulation Technologies develops affordable physics-based simulation software — SimWise 4D, Working Model 2D, Interactive Physics, and Dynamic Designer Motion — for professional mechanical engineers, STEM educators, and students worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersCanton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. does
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. (DST) is a privately held, Michigan-incorporated software company founded in 2005 that develops, markets, and supports physics-based simulation products for two end markets: professional mechanical engineers and the education segment spanning high schools through universities. Its portfolio centers on the SimWise product family (SimWise Motion for 3D rigid-body dynamics, SimWise FEA for stress/normal modes/buckling/thermal analysis, and the integrated SimWise 4D combining motion and FEA with the HEEDS optimization engine from Siemens/Red Cedar), augmented by the Working Model 2D 2D dynamics package, Interactive Physics for STEM education, Dynamic Designer Motion embedded in Siemens Solid Edge and Autodesk Inventor, the SimWise Durability fatigue-life add-on, and the recently launched STURDY Module for Autodesk Inventor (co-developed with Widom Associates) for ASTM F2057-23 furniture-safety compliance. The technology stack combines a Spatial/ACIS geometric kernel with plug-ins for seven CAD systems (SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor, SpaceClaim, Onshape, Alibre Design, IronCAD, Geomagic Design), co-simulation with MATLAB/Simulink, export to Simscape Multibody and ADAMS, and a 2024-added Python API with Input Control Links.
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.
- Legal name
- Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.
- Website
- https://design-simulation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Design Simulation Technologies develops affordable physics-based simulation software — SimWise 4D, Working Model 2D, Interactive Physics, and Dynamic Designer Motion — for professional mechanical engineers, STEM educators, and students worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mechanical Simulation Software (CAE)
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rendering, Graphics & Simulation Middleware (MPAFAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs (EDAGAEAG), Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)
Keywords
Where Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Canton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses - Perpetual: One-time purchase perpetual licenses with optional annual maintenance. Perpetual licensees receive indefinite use of purchased version; maintenance provides updates and direct technical support.
- Annual Subscriptions (SimWise 4D): 12-month subscription with auto-renewal. Includes all software updates. Single annual payment or 12 monthly installments available.
- Annual Licenses (Working Model 2D): 12-month license without auto-renewal. Single annual payment. Includes all software updates.
- Token-Based Usage: Pay-per-use tokens shared between Working Model 2D and SimWise 4D. Tokens valid 24 months. Ideal for occasional or project-based use.
- Technical Support Contracts: Separate support contracts providing direct technical support from DST engineers, in addition to self-service documentation and forums available to all users.
- Educational Site Licenses: Multi-user academic licensing with special pricing for educational institutions. Includes single-user and multi-user configurations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Token Bundles - Pay-per-use (50-1500 tokens) |
| Subscription | Annual | Working Model 2D Annual License |
| Subscription | Monthly | SimWise 4D Annual Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Working Model 2D Perpetual License |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | SimWise 4D Perpetual License |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Design Simulation Technologies develops, markets, and supports physics-based simulation software for professional mechanical engineers, educators, and students. Its portfolio includes the SimWise 4D platform (integrated 3D motion, FEA, and optimization), the SimWise Motion and SimWise FEA standalone modules, Working Model 2D for 2D kinematics and dynamics, Interactive Physics for STEM education, and Dynamic Designer Motion CAD-embedded simulation for Solid Edge and Autodesk Inventor. Products are sold via perpetual licenses with maintenance, annual subscriptions, and a shared token-based pay-per-use model.
Product overview
Design Simulation Technologies develops a portfolio of physics-based simulation software serving students, educators, and professional engineers across three tiers. The educational tier includes Interactive Physics (high school STEM physics simulation) and Working Model 2D (college/university 2D kinematics and dynamics). The professional tier centers on SimWise 4D, a comprehensive CAD-integrated platform combining 3D motion simulation, finite element analysis (FEA), and optimization in one environment, available as standalone SimWise Motion and SimWise FEA modules or as the integrated SimWise 4D product. SimWise for Alibre provides specialized integration with Alibre Design. Dynamic Designer Motion embeds 3D motion simulation directly within Solid Edge and Autodesk Inventor CAD environments. The SimWise Durability add-on module extends SimWise 4D with fatigue life calculations. The STURDY Module (with Widom Associates) addresses furniture safety regulatory compliance. Products support token licensing, annual subscriptions, and perpetual licenses with various deployment options including node-locked, USB dongle, and network/floating configurations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SimWise: CAD-independent 3D dynamic motion simulation and finite element analysis product line including SimWise Motion, SimWise FEA, and SimWise 4D.
- Working Model 2D
- Interactive Physics
- Dynamic Designer Motion
Products and services
- SimWise 4D Professional-grade 3D mechanical simulation platform combining kinematic and dynamic motion simulation with finite element analysis (FEA) in a single integrated environment for professional engineers. SimWise 4D enables evaluation of design performance, identification of stresses from dynamic loads, and production of physics-based animations.
- SimWise Motion
- SimWise FEA
- SimWise Durability Module
- SimWise for Alibre
- Working Model 2D
- Interactive Physics
- Dynamic Designer Motion
- STURDY Module for Autodesk Inventor
Quantifiable outcome
- Many customers report Working Model paid for itself the first time they used it
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration22 records
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Siemens PLM SoftwarecoreDST licenses Siemens' D-Cubed 3D DCM (Dynamic Component Motion) technology for SimWise 4D. Additionally, SimWise integrates deeply with Solid Edge CAD system through plug-in architecture and native file support.
- The MathWorks (Mathworks)coreSimWise integrates with MATLAB/Simulink for control systems co-simulation. SimWise models can be exported to Simscape Multibody for combined controls/mechanical simulation within Simulink environment.
- SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes)coreSimWise contains plug-in for SOLIDWORKS that transfers geometry, assembly constraints, and design parameters associatively. Native file opening of SOLIDWORKS parts and assemblies.
- AutodeskcoreDynamic Designer Motion is embedded in Autodesk Inventor as an add-on. SimWise also supports native file opening of Inventor parts and assemblies. Widom Associates partnership for STURDY Act compliance testing module.
- Red Cedar TechnologycorePartnership announced December 2012 to embed HEEDS (SHERPA) optimization engine from Red Cedar Technology into SimWise 4D for design optimization capabilities.
- SpaceClaimcoreSpaceClaim Engineer and SimWise 4D are integrated for associative transfer of geometry and assembly constraints. Partnership announced January 2013.
- Widom AssociatescoreJoint development partnership to create STURDY Module for Autodesk Inventor. Widom Associates serves as primary marketing and distribution channel for the STURDY compliance testing module for furniture manufacturers.
- NASAstrategicDST supports NASA's Simulation-Based Aerospace Engineering Teacher Professional Development program by providing Interactive Physics technology, curriculum, and mentoring to participating teachers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ANSYS: Largest independent CAE vendor offering ANSYS Motion, ANSYS Mechanical, and other simulation suites. Competes directly with SimWise in motion simulation and FEA, but at a significantly higher price point and broader scope; DST positions itself as the affordable alternative for SMB engineers.
- Siemens Simcenter: Siemens' simulation portfolio (formerly LMS and parts of MSC Software). Directly competes with SimWise 4D in motion+FEA and is the home of the original visualNastran 4D product DST acquired rights to in 2011. Siemens also distributes DST's Dynamic Designer Motion for Solid Edge as an OEM.
- Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA: Dassault's SIMULIA Abaqus and related tools compete with SimWise FEA. CATIA V5 native file support in SimWise creates direct integration competition with Dassault's own CATIA-based simulation workflows at the high end.
- Altair: Altair offers MotionSolve, OptiStruct, and other CAE products overlapping with SimWise Motion, FEA, and HEEDS-based optimization. Competes at both the high-end (via HyperWorks) and increasingly downstream with Inspire and other accessible offerings.
- Autodesk: Autodesk embeds Inventor motion simulation natively and partners with DST for the OEM Dynamic Designer Motion add-on. Autodesk's Fusion 360 Simulation and Inventor Nastran compete with SimWise at the SMB and professional tiers respectively.
- PTC: PTC's Creo Simulation (formerly Pro/Mechanica) and Creo Simulation Live (powered by Ansys) compete with SimWise among Pro/E and Creo users. SimWise natively opens Creo files, putting it in direct competition with PTC's bundled offering.
Direct peers
- COMSOL: COMSOL Multiphysics provides simulation across mechanical, fluid, thermal, and electromagnetic domains. Competes with SimWise primarily on the FEA side and shares the positioning of bringing simulation to non-specialist engineers, though at a higher price point and broader multiphysics scope.
- Hexagon MSC Software: Hexagon owns MSC Software (Adams, Nastran) — the original owner of the Working Model 2D, Interactive Physics, Dynamic Designer Motion, and visualNastran 4D products that DST acquired rights to. Competes head-to-head with SimWise in multibody dynamics (Adams) and FEA (Nastran).
- MathWorks: MathWorks' Simscape Multibody (formerly SimMechanics) is an integration target for SimWise exports and competes in the controls-and-mechanical co-simulation space. MathWorks' educational MATLAB products also compete with Interactive Physics in the STEM market.
Emerging players
- Wolfram Research: Wolfram SystemModeler provides system-level modeling and simulation with Mathematica integration. Competes tangentially with SimWise in the education market (Wolfram Demonstrations Project, Mathematica) and in the controls-co-simulation niche.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceDesign Simulation Technologies, Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.
What does Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. do?
Design Simulation Technologies develops, markets, and supports physics-based simulation software for professional mechanical engineers, educators, and students. Its portfolio includes the SimWise 4D platform (integrated 3D motion, FEA, and optimization), the SimWise Motion and SimWise FEA standalone modules, Working Model 2D for 2D kinematics and dynamics, Interactive Physics for STEM education, and Dynamic Designer Motion CAD-embedded simulation for Solid Edge and Autodesk Inventor. Products are sold via perpetual licenses with maintenance, annual subscriptions, and a shared token-based pay-per-use model.
Is Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. a public or private company?
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. founded?
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. based?
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in Canton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses - Perpetual is the primary driver. The others are annual Subscriptions (SimWise 4D), annual Licenses (Working Model 2D), token-Based Usage, technical Support Contracts and educational Site Licenses.
Who are Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ANSYS, Siemens Simcenter, Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA, Altair, Autodesk and PTC. Direct peers are COMSOL, Hexagon MSC Software and MathWorks. Wolfram Research is listed as an emerging player.
Does Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. have an API?
Yes. SimWise V10.0 introduces Python API integration that allows engineers to leverage Python programming for advanced simulation workflows. The new Input Control Links capability supports integration with MATLAB functions, Python functions, and user-developed Windows DLL functions, enabling unprecedented customization and automation possibilities for simulation processes. Additionally, SimWise provides a Windows Automation API that can be used with any language or application supporting this mechanism, including MATLAB and Python (via Python bindings).
What industry is Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. in?
Design Simulation Technologies, Inc.'s product category is Mechanical Simulation Software (CAE). Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAFAB, Rendering, Graphics & Simulation Middleware, with a secondary code of EDAGAEAG, Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs. Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7372.