Once a design concept has been selected, there comes a phase of optimization of the parameters in the design. In particular, related to the sizing of components, the geometry of profiles, and the material selection.

An example project concerns a cable laying vessel, supporting a basket that may weigh up to 4000 tonnes. The design uses a number of rollers in a frame. Optimization then poses a number of questions:

• What are the maximum axial loads on the bearings, for the expected misalignment?
• What geometry will help to reduce these axial loads? Should crowned or conical rollers be used?
• Which crown radius will help to minimize plastic deformation?

Numerical simulation are used to assess the forces and stresses in a series of arrangments, optimizing the geometry to each specific situation