# S5E39 Bradley Rothenberg | nTopology (nTop) & Computational Design

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2024-09-27
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 39
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design

## Summary

Bradley Rothenberg, founder and CEO of nTopology (now branded nTop), explains how their computational design software captures engineering requirements in algorithms rather than traditional geometry definitions. He details the use of implicit modeling technology, specifically sign distance fields, to create lightweight, parametric models that integrate tightly with simulation tools like ANSYS and LS-DYNA. Rothenberg highlights applications in additive manufacturing, such as complex heat exchangers for Siemens Energy, and discusses how nTop fits into the digital thread alongside legacy CAD systems like SolidWorks and CATIA.

## Chapters

- [0:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=32) Introduction: Bradley Rothenberg and nTopology
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=138) Rothenberg's background from architecture to computational design
- [6:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=404) Tactical example: Siemens Energy heat exchangers and implicit modeling
- [14:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=844) Computing requirements and nTop Core licensing
- [17:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=1030) Modeling workflow: Relationships vs. geometry and integration with PLM
- [26:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=1599) Additive manufacturing applications and topology optimization
- [34:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=2094) Integrated simulation and the digital thread
- [39:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design#t=2396) Determining when nTop is the right solution

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- nTopology (company)
- nTop (product)
- Siemens Energy (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- ANSYS (tool)
- LS-DYNA (tool)
- Autodesk Fusion (tool)
- Materialize Magics (tool)
- CATIA (tool)
- NX (tool)
- Creo (tool)
- Intact Solutions (company)
- Cloud Fluid (company)
- Star CCM+ (tool)
- Fluent (tool)
- Ocado (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Implicit Design, AI & Next Gen Design Tools: Inside nTop’s Bold New Design Frontier](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-06-10-implicit-design-ai-next-gen-design-tools-inside-ntops-bold-new-design-frontier) (Additive Snack)
- [Unlocking Higher Performance 3D Printing Applications with Brad Rothenberg](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2021-01-15-unlocking-higher-performance-3d-printing-applications-with-brad-rothenberg) (Additive Snack)
- [Design for AM: CAD Tools, Simulation, Voxels & the Future of AM Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-05-06-design-for-am-cad-tools-simulation-voxels-the-future-of-am-design) (Additive Snack)
- [182: Consumer Product Hardware Trends in Mid 2023](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-06-30-182-consumer-product-hardware-trends-in-mid-2023) (Product Startup)
- [Simulation as an Enabler: Pan Michaleris & Erik Denlinger on the Evolution of Additive FEA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-06-simulation-as-an-enabler-pan-michaleris-erik-denlinger-on-the-evolution-of-addit) (Additive Snack)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-09-27-s5e39-bradley-rothenberg-ntopology-ntop-computational-design. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.