Flow from Geometry - Elements

You can load geometry from a CAD program into the graphical user interface and use it to create the flow model. The geometry is also useful for visualizing what the chambers and elements represent in the flow model. Use the File > Load CAD Model function to read geometry in IGES or STEP format.

You can create an element directly from the geometry if Flow Simulator can recognize the surface geometry topology. Flow Simulator can recognize cylindrically shaped surfaces that are either full (360°) or partial (for example, 180°) circles. The automatic element creation is most useful for piping networks that use tube and bend elements.

Create Element Details

Follow these steps to create elements from CAD geometry:

Select the element type to create.
1. From the Circuit Type drop-down menu, select Compressible or Incompressible.
  
  Compressible
  
  Create elements from the Compressible Gas Elements section of the Element Library.
  
  Incompressible
  
  Create elements from the Incompressible Liquid Elements section of the Element Library.
2. Select the element type.
  
  Figure 3.
  
  Auto
  
  Automatically determines the element type to create, based on the surface topology.
  
  Tube
  
  Creates a tube element.
  
  Bend
  
  Creates a bend element.
  
  Orifice
  
  Creates an orifice element.
After your selections are complete, click Create.
The CAD geometry changes color to indicate the surface(s) are ready to be selected.
Select the surface(s) to use to create the elements.
Note: Use the control button and the mouse scroll wheel to cycle through surfaces below the cursor. Use this method when surfaces are “hidden” below other surfaces.
To end selection mode, close the window or click Create again.
The newly created elements may have some of the geometric information populated during the creation process. Inspect this information since not all surface topology is accurately measured during element creation.