Before starting a simulation, it is important to start with good, well-constructed geometry. The topics in this section describe how to prepare your CAD model for an efficient simulation.
Prepare the Geometry for Simulation
An effective simulation starts with good CAD techniques both in terms of model integrity and proper creation of the flow region. The first step is to design your CAD model for the flow simulation. This means optimizing the model for simulation. To help you create models that work well with Simulation CFD, we have developed guidelines for several geometry formats and CAD systems.
Create the Flow Volume
CFD models must include one or more parts for the flow volume. There are several ways to create the flow volume:
- You can create the flow volumes as part of the CAD model.
- You can create "caps" over the openings in the CAD model. Simulation CFD automatically creates an internal volume for water-tight cavities.
- You can use the Simulation CFD Void Fill tool to cap openings and to create the internal flow volume.
- You can use the Fluid Part tool in Autodesk® Inventor Fusion.
Launch into CAD
There are several ways to transfer your geometry model into Simulation CFD:
- Launch from CAD. This method is the most useful for performing multiple design changes. As you introduce design variations, Simulation CFD automatically assigns the settings from the original simulation model to the new one. This associativity ensures consistency between your simulations, and reduces the amount of setup time needed for subsequent design iterations.
- Launch from a geometry file. This is the most flexible method. With this method, you open the CAD geometry file directly from a local folder or from Vault, without having to open the model in a CAD system.
- Open into a CAD Reader. Autodesk® Inventor Fusion and Autodesk® Simulation 360 directly support a large number of CAD formats. After opening your model in either of these systems, you can modify the geometry and prepare it for simulation using their wide range of geometry manipulation tools. When the model is ready, launch into Simulation CFD.
- Mesh Import. With this method, you can create a design study from a meshed file created in Ideas or Nastran.