Introduction

CAD Import

Although 3D CAD tools focus mainly on geometric modeling, they are not usually set up for simulation purposes. Incorporating the global system behavioral within your 3D design environment is difficult. The CAD Import utility bridges the gap between geometric modeling and model-based system modeling, by combining the power of Simcenter Amesim with CAD.

Both domains have independent experts for the applied software. The generated data is shared manually between them over agreed-upon fixed interfaces. Automating this time-consuming and error-prone repetitive procedure is a step towards the improvement of the product development process.

CAD Import capabilities are described below:

• CAD import

CAD Import is an Simcenter Amesim™ software integrated CAD viewer which you can use for creating, importing, and analyzing 3D CAD files without having to rely on the original CAD software application: CAD Import uses Siemens Parasolid ® component software for its geometric modeling kernel and built-in translation tools to import and export common CAD files in Simcenter Amesim. Supported formats include Parasolid and STEP. Standard exchange formats such as STEP allow you to import native formats from other CAD software.

• CAD modeling

CAD Import has tools for modifying geometry: fill hole, split body and Boolean operations. New geometry can be created quickly and easily using simple tools. A library of parametric shapes is included, and geometry can also be created from a sketch profile.

• CAD measurements

CAD Import also contains measurement analysis tools. All kind of measurements can be displayed on the 3D view and saved as a CAD Import project.

• System model generation

CAD Import also provides advanced features that allow to convert a 3D CAD model into a Simcenter Amesim model. In a few steps the system model is generated in the Simcenter Amesim environment and is ready to use for analysis.

The following figures describe how CAD Import can be integrated in the workflow of system modeling.

It can be used to get specific measures to set component parameters of an existing model:

Figure 1: From 3D CAD geometry to 1D model parametrization

Or it can be used to generate a model with automatic parameter setting of components:

Figure 2: From 3D CAD geometry to 1D model sketch generation

CAD Import is designed for the following use cases:

• Types of user

Traditionally, the user of a CAD model for reviewing engineering data required a CAD design engineer to operate the CAD model and validate that the correct data was being viewed. CAD Import is easy enough to be used by system engineers with little or no CAD experience. It provides a simplified layout containing a reduced set of menu items and icons that is ideal for system simulation engineers.

• Type of application

CAD Import is independent from the application domain so that it can cover the broadest multiphysical scope. Applications can deal with mechanics, fluids, thermal, electrics or any other physical domain.