simxpert r3.2 getting started guide

1CHAPTERIntroduction

Getting StartedIntroduction

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Overview of SimXpertSimXpert is an integral component of the enterprise simulation environment. It incorporates direct integration with SimManager and SimDesigner. SimXpert is a multi-disciplinary simulation environment for the analyst including workspaces between which one common model can be shared. The workspaces provide different tools appropriate to the discipline:

• Structures – linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using MD Nastran

• Thermal – linear FEA using MD Nastran

• Motion – multi-body dynamics of rigid and flexible bodies using the Adams C++ solver

• Crash – nonlinear explicit dynamic FEA using LS-Dyna

• MD Explicit - nonlinear explicit dynamic FEA using MD Nastran

• Template Builder - Captures Simulation Procedures Consisting Of SimXpert Commands And Macros

• Process Builder - Creating Enterprise Processes (SimProcess)

All solvers are included. Workspaces also filter the simulation model. Only the parts of the model that have relevance to a workspace are visible.

The simulation process allows knowledge capture and re-use through the use of templates.The template builder allows you to: define a sequence of tasks and sub-tasks, drag-and-drop existing scripts in a visual editing environment, and publish the finished template to SimManager for re-use across an organization

3CHAPTERIntroduction

Starting SimXpert

Desktop iconDepending on your local setup, you may start SimXpert by double clicking on a desktop icon similar to the one depicted below.

Startup ScreenWhen you first enter SimXpert you will see the following startup screen.

Select an existing database to open

Create a new database

Select and enter a workspace. A new database will be opened.

Access online help

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5CHAPTERSimXpert Interface

SimXpert Interface

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SimXpert Graphical User Interface (GUI)The following figure shows the screen layout for SimXpert. All windows can be moved and resized. Regions that are common to all workspaces are shown. This document will describe each of these regions.

Main menu bar

Toolbars Workspace managementWorkspace Tool Ribbon

Model Browser Message region Graphics Window


Main Menu Bar – Common Workspace MenusThis section covers menus from the main menu bar that are common to every workspace.

File

The File menu allows you to manipulate databases: create a new database, open an existing database, save an open database, or save under a different name. This is also the menu you will use to print or save images of your graphics window or exit SimXpert.

File > Import

Using the Geometry as Parasolid option, you can directly open a model or part file generated by the CAD codes as shown in Figure 1. SimXpert will convert the CAD information ‘on the fly’ to parasolid format. No local licenses for the CAD software are required for this option.

SimXpert can also directly access CATIA , Pro/Engineer, and Unigraphics files with no geometry translation involved. CAD features, parameters, and geometry can be modified within SimXpert with updates then added back to the original file. This option uses the local CAD installation directly and therefore a license is required.

Database manipulation

Print or save image files of graphics window

Exit SimXpert

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Figure 1 Supported Geometry Interfaces

EditAs the name implies, the Edit menu allows you to modify your model. This menu is also one of the places in SimXpert where you can delete, graphically hide or show entities, completely turn collections of entities on or off, or modify their properties. This menu also updates SimXpert entities to reflect changes in the associated CAD file. Undo and Redo commands are also available.

ViewThe view menu provides tools for displaying models and activating regions in your workspace.

CAD geometry translated to parasolidNo CAD license required

Direct CAD accessCAD license required

Allows you to select Finite Element objects to delete

Graphically hide or display entities

Modify properties (Pre-select an item first)

Update SimXpert entities from CAD

Allows you to select Geometry objects to delete


The View menu is used to control the appearance of your screen. There are options that control the appearance of your model in the graphics window which will be discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs. You can also use this menu to control which toolbars and regions are displayed.

View > Model Views

There are some pre-defined orientations that you can access from this menu. The same options are also available from the Model Views toolbar.

Options affecting graphics window display.

Turn toolbars on or off

Turn regions of the SimXpert display on or off

Control entity display

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More pre-defined views are available using the View region which can be activated by selecting View > Regions > View.

View > Display

You can fine-tune the above orientations using the Display submenu. After selecting any of the rotate, pan, or zoom options, drag the mouse in the window to perform the action. Notice that there are also hot keys that can be pressed to activate Rotate, Zoom, and Pan. The same options are also available from the View Manipulation toolbar.

Model Views toolbar


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View > Custom Views

If you create an orientation that you would like to recall at a future time, you can save the view using Custom Views > Create Custom View and supplying a name under which to store the view.

Rotates about center specified using the Define Center Rotate option below.

View Manipulation toolbar

Zooms around the point where the mouse is clicked.

Zooms with respect to window center

Drag a rectangular region for zoom

Rotate around model axes

Rotate around arbitrary axis defined below

Fit the model in the window

Screen select a center of rotation/zoom

Screen select two points to define an axis to be used with Any Axis Rotate

Rotate around screen axes: X is horizontal, Y is vertical, and Z is pointing out of the screen

Rotates the model about its center.

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The view can be recalled at any time by selecting it from the Custom Views menu or the Model Views toolbar.

Custom views will be saved with the database. They can be exported using File > Export > User Views for import into other databases.

View > Render

The appearance of your finite element model is controlled from the Render option of the View menu. The same commands are also available from the Render toolbar.

Model Views toolbar

Select your custom view from either the Custom Views menu or the Model Views toolbar


Geometry shading is also controlled from the Geometry Graphics toolbar.

View > Scenes

A scene consists of the current contents of the window including parts, connections, and boundary conditions. Current view, graphics and visibility state are also saved with the scene by default.

If you isolate subsets of your model that you would like to recall as a group at a future time, you can save them as a scene using Scenes > Create Scene and supplying a name.

Render toolbarApply to geometry model only

Apply to Finite Element model only

Toggles FE symbols and labels

Toggles shaded images between smooth and flat shading

Toggles geometry face shading

Toggles display of hatch lines on geometry

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The scene can be recalled at any time by selecting it from the Scenes menu or the from the list in the Scenes tab of the Model Browser.

The built in scene All holds the entire contents of your model with no entities turned off or hidden. You can recall your entire model to the display by selecting the Action Show scene and clicking on All in the list of scenes.

Tools

Select your scene name either from Scenes menu or the Scenes tab of the Model Browser


The Tools menu is used to:

1. Report model information and statistics

2. Provides options to move entities.

3. Perform calculations (also available on the Tools toolbar).

4. Record and run Macros

5. Change appearance or default functionality, establish a system of units for the model. (Options).

6. Configure SimManager Connection information.

7. Access scripts and templates.

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Scripts and templates

Tools toolbar

Model information and statistics

Menu to move/copy entities

Configure SimManager connection information

Options Editor


Tools > Options

The Options Editor provides a single dialog to set options for all applications in SimXpert. Options are presented in a tree view branched by category.

Mouse Options

The following table shows the default mouse settings. Notice that the right mouse button in conjunction with modifier keys is used to transform the image in the graphics window. Mouse settings are fully customizable if Custom is selected from the View Manipulation Settings. Click the ‘?” in the upper right hand corner to get help on available settings.

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Units Manager

SimXpert interprets all dimensions and input data with respect to a system of units. It is important to set the appropriate units prior to importing any unitless analysis files (such as a Nastran Bulk Data file) or creating materials, properties, or loads. You can control the system of units from the Options editor of the Tools menu. If you import a file that contains units, SimXpert will convert them into those specified in the Units Manager.

Dynamic manipulation


Tools > Customize

Shortcut (Hot) Keys

The following figure shows the first tab of default keyboard shortcuts. You can assign frequently used commands to function or keyboard keys in conjunction with modifier keys. Click in a key/modifier cell to make it current then simply select the desired action from any menu, toolbar, or tool ribbon.

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Window

The Window menu creates new windows or arranges existing windows on the screen..

Help

This menu provides access to:

1. Application online help.

2. Product tutorials.

3. Product support website.

4. Product version information.


Links to web pages

SimXpert Assistant links to Guides and Example Problems.

It includes links to external web pages and, optionally, a company’s own internal web page.

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Quick Reference links to menu/command specific help.

You can ‘drill down’ or Search to get help on specific menu items.


Context-Sensitive Help

Remember that you can get context sensitive help directly for displayed forms and pick panels by clicking on the question mark icon in the upper right or by placing the focus on the form and hitting the F1 function key.

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PartsThis item is not found on the main menu but parts are used by all SimXpert workspaces so we will discuss them briefly here.

1. A part is a collection of entities

2. Entities can be members of only one part

3. Deleting a part deletes its members also.

4. Newly created parts are made current. The current part is indicated in a bold underlined font in the Model Browser.

5. You can make a part current by right clicking on the part either in the Model Browser or the graphics window and selecting Set Current from the context menu.

Current partParts

Context Menu


Switching WorkspacesTo open a different workspace simply pull down the menu listing the current workspace then select the desired workspace.

Available workspaces

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ToolbarsAs seen in previous sections, toolbars provide a quick way to access commonly used commands. The available toolbars will vary depending on the current workspace. To see the function of toolbox icons, you can pass your cursor over them for rollover help. Toolbars can be turned on and off from the View > Toolbars menu or from a context menu that can be displayed by right clicking in any blank part of the toolbar region. Uncheck the box next to the toolbar name to turn off its display.

Workspace Tool RibbonShown below is a tool ribbon for the Motion and for the Structures workspace. The tool ribbons provide you with commands and options that are relevant only to the current workspace.

Model BrowserThe model browser lists all the components of the model. When you are using a command that requires picking, items can be selected either from the graphics window or the model browser. The current part is

Motion workspace tool ribbons

Structures workspace tool ribbons


shown in bold underlined font. The Model Browser can be displayed in tree or list view by clicking the appropriate tab.

Message RegionThe message region is where SimXpert communicates information. Messages are color-coded as follows:

• Black: information

• Blue: instructions

• Green: warnings

• Red: errors

Current part

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25CHAPTERGraphical Picking

Graphical Picking

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Pick FiltersForms that require entity selection will activate picking icons. You can control which entities to select by choosing only the relevant icons.

The above example shows the Point selection Filters with only the icon at the far left selected. To select multiple filters simply click on the desired icon. The function of the icon can be displayed by hovering the cursor over it. A tool tip will be displayed. The icons are toggles, hence to deselect an active filter, click on its icon.

The icons to the right of the separator are available for all picking types.

Pick PanelSome commands will display a pick panel that allows you to control which entities to select. The pick panel will list only entities that exist in your model and apply to the current command. Show below is a representative pick panel.

Pick Filters

Click in the Entity Selection box to activate Pick Filters.

Reject Last: ‘Undoes’ the last selection

Reverse Selection: Drops selected entities and picks up unselected entities of the specified type in the current scene

Select All: Picks all entities of selected type in the current scene

Clear Selection List: Removes all entities from the selection box.


Extended “Advanced” PickingIn addition to the Pick Filters that appear on the input forms there is also a Pick Filters toolbar that contains some additional features. You can fine tune selections using the Advanced Pick Dialog button on the Pick Filters toolbar or the Advanced button on a pick panel. In the following figure Parts are selected using the form’s Pick Filters. By clicking on the Advanced Pick Dialog button you can choose to select only parts that satisfy a certain condition, for instance: contain a specific element type (shown) or are associated with a certain material or property type.

Command buttons

Valid entities to pick

Picks all entities of selected type in the current scene

Picks all entities of selected type displayed in the window

‘Undoes’ the last selection

Finalizes the selection

Drops selected entities and picks up unselected entities of the specified type in the current scene

Brings up a form that allows you to select picking filters

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When picking elements you can specify to select only a specific element type, only those associated with a particular surface or node, or other filters that are relevant to your particular procedure.

Brings up a form that allows you to select additional picking filters

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Dynamic HighlightIf you hover the mouse in the graphics window, entities of the selected type will be highlighted as the mouse passes over them. In the following images, we have selected to pick parts so as the cursor passes over each part it is highlighted on the screen.

You can also pick parts by name from the Model Browser.


Pick Types

Single / Polygon / Sketch / Rectangular WindowYou can pick multiple entities by changing the pick tool. The pick tool menu can be found on the Pick Filters toolbar or the context menu which is brought up by right clicking in the background of the graphics window.

Single

Pick entities one by one

Polygon

Draw a series of piecewise linear lines.clicking wherever you would like a vertex, which completely enclose all desired entities. Double-click to close the polygon.

Pick Filters toolbar

Context Menu

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Rectangular Window

Drag a box that completely encloses all desired entities. No pick style selection is required for rectangular window picking. You can simply drag the mouse.

Sketch

Drag a freehand region that completely encloses all desired entities.

Pick Region Selected Elements

Pick Region Selected Elements


Selected ElementsPick Region

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33CHAPTERSolutions and Workflow

Solutions and Workflow

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SolutionsSimXpert is a multi-disciplinary simulation environment for the analyst. Different types of simulations can be performed in each of the four workspaces.

In the Structures Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. The following types of MD Nastran analysis solutions are available:

• Linear Static Analysis (SOL 101)

• Modal Analysis (SOL 103)

• Linear Buckling Analysis (SOL 105)

• Direct Complex Eigenvalue Analysis (SOL 107)

• Direct Frequency Response Analysis (SOL 108)

• Direct Transient Response Analysis (SOL 109)

• Modal Complex Eigenvalue Analysis (SOL 110)

• Modal Frequency Response Analysis (SOL 111)

• Modal Transient Response Analysis (SOL 112)

• General Nonlinear Analysis (SOL400)

• Implicit Nonlinear Analysis (SOL 600)

In the Thermal Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. The following types of MD Nastran analysis solutions are available:

• Steady State Heat Transfer Analysis (SOL 153, SOL 600)

• Transient Heat Transfer Analysis (SOL 159, SOL 600)

In the Motion Workspace, the ADAMS C++ solver is used. The user can perform the following types of motion analysis:

• Dynamic Analysis

• Quasi-Static Analysis

• Static Analysis

In the Crash Workspace, LS-Dyna is used as the solver. The user can perform crash analysis for crash worthiness and safety applications.

In the MD Explicit Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. Explicit nonlinear analysis (SOL 700) can be performed.

The Template Builder workspace in SimXpert is a graphical authoring environment for creating and executing SimXpert Templates. Templates are processes that can automate repetitive tasks, define CAE methods, and perform simulations.


WorkflowThe following procedure shows the general recommended workflow for the Structures, Thermal , Crash, and Explicit workspaces.

1. Designate a system of units

2. Import/create geometry

3. Create material and element properties

Or

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4. Create the finite element mesh

5. Apply loads and boundary conditions

6. Set up analysis


7. Submit model to solver

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8. Access results

9. Post-process

simxpert r3.2 getting started guide

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