With increasing reliance on simulation to speed up product innovation, we need robust tools to quickly setup finite element models. Model Assembly Design is a native app available in Simulation roles such as Structural Performance, Structural Mechanics and Durability roles on 3DEXPERIENCE platform that allows you to automate the creation of finite element models. This application also serves as a bridge between the 3DEXPERIENCE platform apps and external data outside of 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Based on the type of product structure, you can use Model Assembly Design to create a formula or process for simulation modeling. This formula can be reused to update Simulation data when product structure is modified. The FEM can be detached as needed to adjust a product structure. Model Assembly Design apps provides the ability to manage finite element model and mesh creation, including automated FEM (finite element method), generate and review FEM reports indicating the quality of the meshes.
It also allows abstraction shape creation to modify geometry for simulation studies, independent of original geometry, such as extracting mid-surfaces and defining meshing rules across the assembly. This allows users to move data in and out of external simulation representation, control concurrent design changes of external simulation and apply lifecycle management to files in external simulation.
Automated FEM is one of the key features of the model assembly design app. Automated FEM provides general purpose and specialized methods to create an assembled finite element model for parts and assemblies.
The standard FEM method manages solid and surface meshes for multiple bodies using basic input parameters such as mesh type, element order etc., while the Advanced FEM provides higher control based on customized mesh procedures for components in an assembly.
Automated FEM – Advanced option
The specialized Automated FEM methods include Axisymmetric modeling to produce 2D axisymmetric representation, sub-model option for advanced multiscale multilevel simulation, Lattice FEM for additive manufacturing designs created with lattice design app.
The Preloaded Automated FEM allows you to generate new simulation using FEM and related data from the results of a previously run simulation study. This is useful when deformations and stresses from previous analysis is to be used as starting point for other sequential analyses. A typical application would be in casting, deep drawing process, heat treating or assembly operations where simulation of manufacturing process is complete and stresses from these operations are to be included in downstream analysis such as pressure vessel loading or failure test.
A preloaded FEM is created by selecting step and increment of results from upstream simulation and reflects the real state of the design. It maintains a connection with the state of the original model, and you can define new simulation with only steps and conditions for the test.
This feature allows you to repeat the preloaded FEM process to create a chain of multiple simulations dependent on each other. In addition, you could use chaining as a way to complete analyses that require different solvers. For example, you can run a static simulation, then an explicit dynamic simulation followed by another static simulation.
We hope you can utilize some of these tools for improving process efficiency through simulation modeling 3DEXPERIENCE’s unified collaborative environment to drive product innovation and quality.
