OPTIMIZATION USING SOLIDWORKS DESIGN STUDY

 To specify the Volume and Mass properties of the Multibody part, you can monitor the properties of the part by adding sensors to evaluate and optimize. This feature (Design Study) can run iterations of the values and reports to generate the optimum combination of values to meet your specified goal.

Design Study is a tool to perform optimization or evaluate specific scenarios of your design using Simulation. This Analysis is fully integrated into the SOLIDWORKS within the same interface. Design Study allows for quickly and easily simulating design iterations on parts or assemblies.

Solid bodies can be used to calculate the results for different iterations or scenarios by defining a required parameter like Variables, Constraints, and Goals for a single study, whereas multiple studies can also be combined.

This can be any type and any combination except fatigue and pressure vessel. If optimization is being used the results will show the initial state and the optimal state. The results of each iteration can be compared and this helps to bring better designs to market faster.

Where to find;

SOLIDWORKS Command Manager > Evaluate > Design Study (or)

SOLIDWORKS Menu Bar > Insert > Design Study

1) Variables: The inputs can be Model Dimension, Global Variable, Simulation parameters, and Material properties.

2) Constraints: The inputs can be from Simulation data (Stress, Displacement, Frequency, Temperature, etc.,), Mass Properties, Dimension, Measurement, and costing data.

3) Goals: There are targets. The inputs for this are the same as constraints. This data is required only for the Optimization mode design study.

To create a Design Study, set up the parameters. The keys to creating a Parameter are to provide Variables, choose the appropriate category, and then link that parameter to the model which you want to vary in the design study.

To insert a Design Study in your model. Use the drop-down arrows to add the Element Size Variable (Model Dimensions) to the Design Study.

In the Constraints section, use the pull-down menu to add a Sensor to the model, specifically to monitor the Mass Properties and select the model you want the sensor to reference for data.

Then set the goal and check the ‘Optimization’ box (whenever we choose a goal this check mark for optimization will need to be checked) and click ‘Run’.

When the Design Study is finished by running all of the scenarios. The Optimized results have been shown in the Result tab and it has found an optimal part number 5 and this is generated using a design study.

ü All of the ones that are in Red are did not reach our goal.

ü All of the ones that have reached our goal are displayed in White.

ü The optimal ones which can satisfy the goal are in Green.

In the Result view tab, optimal number 5 has maintained the geometric conditions and physical properties (i.e. Mass)

Note: SOLIDWORKS Premium is mandatory for Simulation Design Study.

Thank You..!!

THANK YOU FOR READING!

THERMAL OPTIMIZATION OF HEAT SINK’S USING SOLIDWORKS FLOW SIMULATION

SolidWorks Flow Simulation helps Designers in Evaluating the performance of the fins of a solid body that is generating heat.

Using SolidWorks Flow Simulation, we can accurately capture the thin walls of the geometry by its advanced meshing algorithm. (Refer to Image 1- We can Enable minimum wall thickness of the model geometry)

Image 1: Automatic Mesh

Image 2: Thin Wall Optimization Mesh

SolidWorks Flow Simulation also provides the manual mesh type option for the users who require additional accuracy due to stringent design criteria.

Using manual mesh type, users can add the control planes (Refer to image 3) at the required locations.

Image 3: Manual Mesh

Image 4: After Applying Control Plane

Result:

Benefits:

ØIdentify the thermal hotspots of your products.

ØEngineers can easily improve the thermal efficiency of your products.

ØManufacturers of Electronic Components, IOT Devices, Instrument Clusters, Hi-tech Devices, etc. can be benefitted from this engineering tool.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Generative Design on Cloud - 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

 The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform 

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a collaborative environment that Connects People, Data, Processes, ideas, and Business. 3DEXPERIENCE is a cloud-based platform that is easily accessed with a browser that has curated roles for persons from each department in an organization ranging from Design, Simulation, and Manufacturing to Governance/Management.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform has cloud design capabilities running on a browser, so that it can be used with any device using a dedicated Touch Mode. A few of the Cloud Design roles include 3D Creator, 3D Sculptor, 3D Sheet Metal Creator, 3D Structure Creator, 3D Mold Creator, 3D Pattern Shape Creator, 3D Render, Drafter, and so on.

3D Creator

3D Creator is a role on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, having xDesign as the web application to create parametric models and assemblies, in a unified interface within a browser. Since the tool requires only a browser and internet connection, you can model on the go with a Tablet or Mobile device. The tools and workflows in xDesign are very similar to the mighty SOLIDWORKS.

DESIGN GUIDANCE

Apart from Parametric modeling, xDesign enables us to use industry trending tools like Generative Design on the cloud. We can use this Design Guidance to help design geometries, taking into account forces, space, and loads. We can create a new design or redesign an existing geometry.

For creating a new Generative Design, the process is so simple that we need to define the Material of the model, boundary conditions like Fixtures and Loads, the bounding box dimensions of the model, and any areas to be excluded during the generation process. Within the browser, several iterations occur to offer you the best possible geometry for the given conditions.

A conventional or legacy design consumes more material that does not contribute to the load, whereas the model obtained from Design Guidance (Generative Design) can be directly built using additive manufacturing. In order to make the optimized model to be manufactured using conventional machining processes, we can build machinable features from generated design using xDesign tools.

Advantages of Generative Design

· Reduced Product Weight hence reduced material and handling costs

· Takes less time to complete the design

· Create better designs and better products

· Consolidation of various parts into a single design

· Limitless number of designs to choose from

· 3D Creator doesn’t need any installation

With 3D Creator you can also:

· Create parametric 3D models anywhere and anytime using a browser

· Eliminate the need to plan your assembly structure with a single modeling environment

· Iterate rapidly without the rework associated with typical parametric modeling tools

· Understand structural requirements through an easy exploration of optimal material with Design Guidance

· Leverage the power of machine learning to reduce repetitive tasks with the Design Assistant tools

· Visualize your designs with ease and impress customers instantly with realistic appearances and environments.

The 3D creator role enables you to step up your Product Design and development process, and allows your design data to be managed, and used for other processes like Simulation and Manufacturing, on this unified 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. 

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Get your SOLIDWORKS Desktop Connected to 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud

 Imagine how useful it would be if you could safely store and access your SOLIDWORKS data in the cloud, from anywhere in the world, using just a Login ID. Yes, 3DEXPERIENCE is an easy-to-use cloud-based platform that allows you to save your SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD designs securely to the cloud. It empowers business partners to collaborate in real-time and leverage their expertise to accelerate product development.

 The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

3DEXPERIENCE is a collaborative platform that enables businesses and individuals to innovate in entirely new ways and create products or services based on virtual experiences. It provides a real-time view of business activity by connecting people, ideas, and data. The platform offers curated roles for each department in an organization from Design, Simulation, Manufacturing, and Governance.

Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS

 

The Collaborative Designer role allows users to save SOLIDWORKS data and make real-time updates within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

The collaborative designer role for SOLIDWORKS has the following apps

l Derived Format Converter

l Design with SOLIDWORKS

l Inspect with SOLIDWORKS Inspection

l Render with SOLIDWORKS Visualize

 

When a user navigates to the 3D Compass and clicks on the "Design with SOLIDWORKS" app, Desktop SOLIDWORKS is launched with an active 3DEXPERIENCE session accessible from the Task Pane. Any assembly or part file opened in SOLIDWORKS will appear in the 3DEXPERIENCE Task Pane with a status icon indicating that it has not yet been uploaded to the cloud. As soon as you click on the save active window, the data will be uploaded to the cloud.

When you save data to the cloud for the first time, a save to 3DEXPERIENCE dialog box appears, allowing users to select Bookmark to easily access data, make new revisions and add comments. The content in the dialog box can also be exported as spreadsheets.

 

As part of Life-cycle capabilities, the file can also be locked or unlocked to ensure that other individuals with access cannot edit it simultaneously. The users can create new revisions, new branches, change ownership, and change maturity states according to the assembly or part, such as Private, In-Progress, Frozen, Released, or Obsolete.

Change is inevitable. Effective change management improves an organization's ability to make sound decisions. It helps to boost productivity, reduce risks, and aids in increasing a company’s profitability. Viewing and accessing all assigned changes and tasks is one of the Change Action capabilities. "Work Under" is a way of documenting design changes, which is helpful for managers to review. A maturity state is not only applicable to data elements, but also to tasks, issues, and changes, all of which can be approved further.

This collaborative task management application allows you to manage, share, and assign tasks, access related content, estimate job duration and share comments. Bookmarks are available on the platform for organizing work into folders, sharing with teammates, and readily accessing content from any device. Bookmarks, as well as all other apps, features, and much more can be accessed through the mighty SOLIDWORKS Interface or Web Browser.

Key Merits

l Store your CAD data on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and make it available to all departments such as design, simulation, manufacturing, and governance, by integrating them into one unified platform.

l The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows you to instantly review your tasks and work on the proposed change orders without leaving SOLIDWORKS.

l Enable key stakeholders to use your design data along with all available business data in the cloud

l With a web browser, you can find, view, share, annotate, discuss, and manage CAD and non-CAD data from anywhere, at any time, and on any device.

l Avoid rework and reduce errors as a result of working in disconnected groups.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

3DEXPERIENCE BROWSER BASED CAD - xDesign

What is 3DEXPERIENCE?

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a collaborative environment which empowers businesses to innovate and collaborate in entirely new ways through cloud.
It provides real-time view of business activity and ecosystem, connecting people, ideas, data and solutions together in an organization using a single environment.
Bring key stakeholders together on a single collaborative platform, allowing you to seamlessly move from ideation through delivery for continuous development via 3DEXPERIENCE cloud-based solutions.

What is 3D Creator - xDesign?

3DEXPERIENCE platform contains roles in which 3D Creator has xDesign app for 3D parametric browser-based modeling. 

Innovate, collaborate, and create great designs on the go using the xDesign Cloud Solution inside a web browser.

The User Interface of 3D Creator – xDesign app is very similar to traditional SOLIDWORKS with the advantage of cloud design which offers the user to design from any device, anywhere and anytime with just a browser like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari etc.

You can capture and realize your ideas with parametric 3D models of parts and assemblies.

It provides a single modeling environment and rapidly iterate your design intent anytime with super features.

Design and optimize materials and design using Design Guidance tool and generative design approach.

Reduce repetitive tasks with the Design Assistant tools using the power of machine learning technology.

3D Creator - xDesign is a cloud-based solution that is always working with the latest version of software on all your devices with no worrying about installing, configuring, or managing software.

With 3DExperience Cloud Design app like xDesign, the IT infrastructure, hardware requirements, server maintenance can be minimized.

Secure communication and collaboration can be ensured with internal or external stakeholders. 

3D Creator ensures successful collaboration through secure and safe communities, complete design and data access control, sharing, easy visualization, and product review within the ecosystem.

Manage tasks and monitor the progress of projects using a dashboard. The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform dashboard offers seamlessly transitions between 3D Creator and other design solutions.

3D Creator - xDesign app offers Design Guidance, an interactive feature based on simulation and optimization algorithms to help inspire innovative solutions to your design challenges, collaboration and data management.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Different Modes of Combination in Response Spectrum by SolidWorks Simulation

The response spectrum method is used to compute inertial response, estimates of response quantities developed for each mode, each direction of excitation and each input, if multiple inputs are considered. The total response is then formed by summing over all modal component, spatial component and excitation component responses. It estimate the structural response to short, nondeterministic, transient dynamic events. Examples of such events are earthquakes and shocks. Since the exact time history of the load is not known, it is difficult to perform a time-dependent analysis.

It is a widely used procedure for performing elastic dynamic seismic analysis, represents the set of the maximum acceleration, velocity or displacement responses of a family of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) damped oscillators. 

Fig: 1

For a given time period of system, maximum response is picked. This process is continued for all range of possible time periods of SDOF system. Final plot with system time period on x-axis and response quantity on y-axis is the required response spectra pertaining to specified damping ratio and input ground motion as acceleration, velocity or displacement response.

Factor Influencing Response Spectra:

1. Damping in the system

2. Time period of the system

3. Energy release mechanism

Errors in Evaluation of Response Spectrum:

Truncation Error: - In general, a truncation error exists in numerical methods for

integrating differential equations.

Rounding the Time Record: - For earthquake records digitized at irregular time intervals, the integration technique proposed in this report requires rounding of the time record and the attendant error depends on the way the rounding is done. For round-off to 0.005 sec, the average error in spectrum values is expected.

Error Due to Discretization: - In any numerical method of computing the spectra, the

response is obtained at a set of discrete points. Since spectral values represent

maximum values of response parameters which may not occur at these discrete points,

discretization introduces an error which gives spectrum values lower than the true

values.

Multi degree of freedom (MDOF) systems are usually analyzed using Modal Analysis. A

typical MDOF system with ‘n’ degree of freedom. The system when subjected to ground motion undergoes deformations in number of possible ways. These deformed shapes are known as modes of vibration or mode shapes.

In SolidWorks Simulation, we can predict the Displacement, Maximum Stress Induced and frequency with respective mode shapes of the system. with response as acceleration, velocity or displacement input to the system, with irrespective of the system type, the system can be 

Regular or Irregular as shown in Fig:2 & Fig:3.

  Fig:2(irregular Structure)

Fig:3(Regular) 

Regular Structure:

The design shall be approximately symmetrical in plan with respect to two orthogonal axis with flowing assumptions:

1. Location of joints with equal spacing in the design.

2. No horizontal or vertical irregularity of the structure

3. No change in material or shape of the structure cross section.

Irregular Structure:

If the design does not follow any assumptions of the regular system, becomes irregular structure. Most of the mechanical designs are Irregular in nature, as there may be material changes to the main members to improve the strength of the design.

There are different methods that are used for combining the response of each direction of system the methods for MDOF system are as follows:

1. Square root of sum of squares (SRSS) Method

2. Absolute Sum (ABSSUM) Method

3. Complete quadratic combination (CQC) Method

4. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

Square root of sum of squares (SRSS) Method:

The maximum response is obtained by square root of sum of square of response in each mode of vibration, the effect is calculated for each individual Frequency of the system with the defined response at different directions, these responses are summed up and an averaged.

Limitation of SRSS:

· There is a poor estimator of peak responses when applied to systems with closely spaced natural periods.

· Significant errors are caused when working with Irregular system.

Absolute Sum Method:

The peak responses of all the modes are added algebraically, assuming that all modal peaks occur at same time. The maximum response is given by:

Complete quadratic combination (CQC) Method:

The previously illustrated errors which are inherent in absolute sum or the SRSS method are rectified with CQC, The maximum response from all the modes is calculated as:

r_max is the maximum response

r_i, r_j are maximum responses in the i^th and j^th modes

α_ij is Cross Modal Coefficient

ξ is Modal  Damping Ratio, β is Frequency Ratio [ ]

Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Method:

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) method to combine the peak responses from all mode shapes into overall displacements and stresses. It is modification of the SRSS Method, takes the absolute value of the response for the mode that exhibits the largest response and adds it to the SRSS response of the remaining modes the maximum response from all the modes is calculated as:

Where {u_j}_max represents the mode with the largest response among all modal responses.

All the above methods discussed are available in SolidWorks Simulation, according to the structure type and the user requirement, we can define the mode combination method as shown in the Fig: 4.

Fig: 4

We had discussed the different mode combination techniques in Response Spectrum, and the purpose of the different techniques and also the model equations of the techniques with their limitations.

THANK YOU FOR READING!