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ISSUE

23
SEPTEMBER
Solid Works
Esprit
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2010

In This Issue
∆ SolidWorks FloXpress

∆ Tips and Tricks -


Simulation
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SolidWorks FloXpress is a fluid dynamics application that calculates how fluid flows through
part or assembly models. Based on the calculated velocity field, you can find problem areas
in your design and improve them before you manufacture any parts.

NOTE: Solidworks FloXpress is available from solidworks 2009.

Unlike the full version, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, SolidWorks FloXpress is


specifically designed to analyze fluid flow in a fully enclosed volume that includes at
least one inlet and one outlet. For more complex fluid analysis upgrade to
SolidWorks Flow Simulation.

Features and Benefits of SolidWorks FloXpress

 Complete Integration with SolidWorks. SolidWorks FloXpress is fully embedded


within the SolidWorks Windows®-native environment. There is no need to modify
your SolidWorks designs for fluid flow analysis.
 Wizard mode for analysis setup. SolidWorks FloXpress uses a wizard interface to
setup the analysis thereby making it easy and intuitive to solve the problem.
 Engineering goal based analysis. SolidWorks Flow Simulation is a goal based CFD
analysis program. You simply tell the program what fluid analysis you are interested
in and it will calculate these goals and present to the user after the completion of
the analysis. This functionality helps you to get better engineering insight into your
designs.
 Flow Animation with SolidWorks FloXpress uses Trajectories to display results as
flow streamlines. The colours represent changes in velocity along the trajectories.
Based on your input, the colour of the trajectories shows how any parameter
changes along the trajectories.
 Analysis reports can be generated with SolidWorks FloXpress. The application can
create a report for Microsoft Word™ that includes the following information:
 Information about the project file
 The value of the smallest flow passage (if specified manually)
 All the information about inlet and outlet boundary conditions
 The value of the maximum velocity
 The snapped images (if any)
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Comparing SolidWorks FloXpress to SolidWorks Flow Simulation

SolidWorks Flow
Capability SolidWorks FloXpress
Simulation
3D Flow
Animations
Flow Trajectories
Assembly Analysis
Part Analysis
Flow Opening Boundary Conditions
Pressure Opening Boundary Conditions
Steady Problems
Internal Problems
2D Flow
Boundary Conditions:
Ideal Wall

Moving Wall

Transferred Boundary

Contact Resistances
External Problems
Fans
Fluid Sub domains
Gravity
Heat Sink Simulations
Heat Transfer
Iso surfaces
Mesh Settings
Mesh Visualization
Particle Studies
Plots
3D-Profile
Cut
Goal
Surface
XY

Point, Surface, and Volume Parameters


Porous Media
Radiation
Rotation
Solid Materials
Thermoelectric Coolers
Transient Problems
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The SolidWorks FloXpress wizard guides you through these steps:

 Welcome. Provides an overview of the functionality. You must enclose all cavity
openings with lids.
o To create lids in assemblies, create a new part to completely cover the inlet
and outlet openings.
o To create lids in parts, create solid features to completely cover the
openings.

Lids must consist of a solid feature, such as an extrude. Surfaces are not valid
as lids.

 Check geometry. SolidWorks FloXpress can calculate fluid flow in a single internal
cavity of the model. The software checks the geometry and warns you if this
requirement is not met.
 Select a fluid. Specify the fluid flowing through the model. You cannot use different
fluids simultaneously.
 Set the model boundaries that enclose the single internal cavity:
o Set the flow inlet. Select the face to which to apply the inlet boundary
conditions and parameters.
o Set the flow outlet. Select the face to which to apply the outlet boundary
conditions and parameters.
Solve the model. Set the result resolution and analyze the model.
View the results. View analysis results and generate a report.

Wizard Navigation tips:

 Click and in the PropertyManagers to navigate through the process.


 If you click in any PropertyManager, FloXpress closes the analysis and saves the data
within the model. The next time you open that model and start FloXpress, your
previous settings are recalled.
 If you press Esc or click in any PropertyManager, the analysis closes without saving
the data.
 When the analysis is completed, FloXpress automatically saves the results in the
model. The next time you open the model and start FloXpress, the View Results
PropertyManager opens automatically.
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SolidWorks FloXpress – Hands on(download the attached assembly with this mail).

The ball valve model in this tutorial introduces you to:

 Starting SolidWorks FloXpress


 Preparing the geometry for calculation
 Defining the boundary conditions
 Viewing results
 Documenting your project

SolidWorks FloXpress can only analyze fluid flow in a fully enclosed volume that includes at
least one inlet and one outlet. Before you analyze the flow, you need to close all the model's
openings by adding lids.

1. Click Insert, Component, New Part.


A new Part1^Ball Valve component appears in the FeatureManager design tree.
2. Select the face from Side<1> as shown.
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A sketch opens on the face.


3. Click Convert Entities (Sketch toolbar).
The Convert Entities PropertyManager opens.
3. Select the edge as shown.

4. In the PropertyManager, click to convert the entity, then click to close the
PropertyManager.
5. Click Extruded Boss/Base (Features toolbar).
6. In the PropertyManager under Direction 1:
a. Click Reverse Direction, so the arrow points to the center of the assembly.
b. Set Depth to 2 mm.
7. Click ok.
8. Right-click Part1^Ball Valve, select Rename Part, and rename it to Lid1.

9. Click Edit Component to end editing of the component.

10. Click File, Save. Agree to save the new part internally.
11. Repeat steps 1 - 10 to create the other lid.
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 In steps 2 and 3, select the corresponding face and edge from Side<2>, as
shown.

 For step 8, rename the part to Lid2.


The model is ready for flow analysis.
NOTE: SolidWorks FloXpress can check your model for possible geometry problems,
but to facilitate the analysis, you change the appearance of the model.

Changing Appearances

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, press Ctrl and select Lid1 and Lid2.
2. Click the Appearances/Scenes tab.
3. In the Appearances/Scenes Task Manager, expand Appearances and browse to
Plastic, Clear Plastic, translucent plastic.

4. Double-click translucent plastic to apply the appearance to the pre-selected entities.


5. In the FeatureManager design tree, press Ctrl and select Side<1>, Side<2>, and
Ball<1>.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3, and browse to Plastic, Medium Gloss, red medium gloss
plastic.
7. Press Alt and double-click red medium gloss plastic.
8. In the Appearances PropertyManager, under Appearance, set Transparency to .80
and then click.
9. In the FeatureManager design tree expand Lid1, right-click Origin and select Hide.
10. Repeat for Lid2.
11. Change to an isometric view.
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Welcome to SolidWorks FloXpress

1. Click Tools, FloXpress.

2. Read the Welcome text and click .

Check Geometry

In the Check Geometry PropertyManager:


 A message verifies that you created the lids properly.
 If there are problems with the geometry, you must remake the lids.
1. Under Fluid Volume, click View fluid volume.
NOTE: Use View fluid volume to ensure that the fluid volume is specified correctly. If
the openings were properly enclosed by the lids, but there are some small internal
spaces in the model, SolidWorks FloXpress still validates the geometry. However, if
internal spaces exist, you can only analyze the flow in that small internal volume.

2. If necessary, click Zoom to Fit and click Shaded with Edges (View toolbar).
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If there are internal spaces in the model, SolidWorks FloXpress displays another
message that the model is not ready for flow analysis.
3. Click Smallest Flow Passage and type 9.3.
If the fluid passes through a gap that is smaller then the default Smallest Flow
Passage, set the Smallest Flow Passage to equal the width of that gap. Smallest Flow
Passage uses the units set as the default in SolidWorks. If your SolidWorks application
is set to units other than mm, specify mm when you type 9.3.
4. Click .

Defining the Project Fluid

1. Select Water for Fluids.

SolidWorks Flow Simulation includes a variety of gases, liquids, compressible liquids,


non-Newtonian liquids, real gases, and steam, as well the capability to create custom
fluids.

2. Click .

Inlet Boundary Condition

You can only specify boundary conditions for a face that allows the fluid to enter the model
(inlet), and another face that allows the fluid to exit the model (outlet).

NOTE: You cannot apply each boundary condition (inlet and outlet) to multiple faces.
1. Under Inlet, click the Mass flow rate.
2. Right-click the inlet and choose Select Other.

3. In the Select Other dialog box, choose Face@[Lid1<1>] for Face to Apply Inlet.

4. Set the Mass Flow Rate to 0.5 kg/s.


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Depending on the default length unit set in Solidworks, FloXpress uses units from SI or
IPS unit systems for all other parameters.
5. Click Next.
Outlet Boundary Condition
1. Right-click the outlet and choose Select Other.

2. From the Select Other dialog box, choose Face@[Lid2<1>] for Face to Apply Outlet.

You cannot select Volume Flow Rate as an outlet boundary condition when you select
the Mass Flow Rate as an inlet boundary condition.
3. Accept the default value for Environment Pressure.
4. Click .

Outlet Boundary Condition

1. Right-click the outlet and choose Select Other.

2. From the Select Other dialog box, choose Face@[Lid2<1>] for Face to Apply Outlet.

You cannot select Volume Flow Rate as an outlet boundary condition when you select
the Mass Flow Rate as an inlet boundary condition.
3. Accept the default value for Environment Pressure.
4. Click .

Calculation

1. Click Solve.
2. If the Save As dialog opens, click OK to save the virtual components internally.
After the calculation finishes, SolidWorks FloXpress shifts to the View Results.
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The time required for the calculations and quality of solutions depends on settings to the
overall resolution and to the global and local mesh.

Viewing Results: Trajectories

SolidWorks FloXpress uses Trajectories to display results as flow streamlines. The colors
represent changes in velocity along the trajectories. Based on your input, the color of the
trajectories shows how any parameter changes along the trajectories.

SolidWorks Flow Simulation includes numerous result visualization tools. For example, you
can export numerical data to Microsoft Excel™, visualize the mesh, and show iso surfaces,
cut, and surface plots for any parameter.

1. Under Report, click Snap Image.


2. Click Balls and then Animate to illustrate the flow.

3. Press Stop.

4. Browse to your project directory and expand the fxp1 folder to display:

 Files with the results of calculation.

You can load the SolidWorks FloXpress project and the results of the
calculation using SolidWorks Flow Simulation.

 A snapshot of the analysis, FloXpress_snap1.jpg, created when you clicked


Snap Image.
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Viewing the Final Report

If you have Microsoft Word™ 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, or 2007 installed on your computer,
when you click Generate Report, SolidWorks FloXpress launches the application and creates
a report that includes:

 Information about the project file


 The value of the smallest flow passage (if specified manually)
 All the information about inlet and outlet boundary conditions
 The value of the maximum velocity
 The snapped images (if any)

SolidWorks Flow Simulation can provide numerical data about any parameter, not only
velocity.

If you do not have any of the supported versions of Microsoft Word installed, a *.txt report
file is generated that contains only text information about the project.

Click to close SolidWorks FloXpress.


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Tips and tricks


SOLIDWORKS 2010

SolidWorks SimulationXpress is redesigned to reduce screen clutter, provide better


guidance to new users, and allow experienced users to create simulations more
quickly. The new wizard uses elements of the full Simulation Professional and
Premium interface to make the transition to Simulation easier.

Simulation now supports edge weld connectors between two faces. This easy-to-
use connector estimates the appropriate size of a weld needed to attach two metal
components.The program calculates the size of a weld at each node location along
the welding edge.

The Mesh Progress and Solver Status windows now include memory usage
information. A new, minimized Simulation study tooltip allows you to track the
solver status without having to show a separate solver window.

You can now create the Design Study to evaluate or optimize models. The new
Design Study interface consolidates the earlier interfaces for optimization studies
and design scenarios. You can plot the updated bodies and the calculated results for
different iterations or scenarios by clicking their columns on the Results View tab.
To create a study, click Design Study (Tools toolbar) or Insert > Design Study >
Add. A Design Study tab appears at the bottom of the graphics area.

New National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards (NAFEMS)
benchmarks are added for Static, Thermal, Nonlinear, Frequency, and Linear
Dynamic studies. To access the benchmarks, in the Help menu, click SolidWorks
Simulation > Validation> NAFEMS Benchmarks.
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