Directly homogenize lattice components and support structures in Netfabb Simulation.
Video length (6:05).
Sample files for use with the tutorials are available for download at https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/tsarticles/ts/2Yfrn77HGCZfr2IUaGPEJb.html. Expand the downloaded ZIP archive into a convenient directory from which you can import files into Simulation Utility LT as you need them.
In this exercise, we demonstrate how to homogenize lattice type components and support structures directly from Netfabb Simulation. Homogenization is the process of representing a periodic type structure with a volumetric representation. As the finite element mesh is driven by the smallest feature that needs to be represented, homogenization allows the use of much larger elements for regions of fine support structure or component lattice. This results in much shorter simulation times and reduced RAM usage. Consult the Homogenization page for additional information on this topic.
Note that Volume Fraction is set to 1.00 and Homogenize is not selected as this part is fully dense. We will use different settings in this dialog as we import Support Structures and a Lattice component from the Example_22 folder.
Note the dimpled top of the lattice part mesh inside the hole of the spoked cylinder.
The irregular mesh is created because the gaps in the lattice are too large to be spanned by the default Maximum Cell Radius. The Maximum Cell Radius sets the largest gap or feature that will be filled in during Homogenization. By default, this value is 2.50 mm, meaning that lattice holes up to 5.00 mm across will be homogenized. However the features of the Lattice component in this example obviously exceed 5.00 mm. We can improve the lattice mesh by increasing the maximum cell radius setting.
The Displacement results show that the different densities of support structures affects the part scale distortion of these parts. You can use this data to optimize support design, which can be done much more rapidly than if all the supports were modeled directly with very fine meshes.
The Structure Type results show severe support structure failure. This indicates that the supports are likely too weak and should be made more dense.