Rand Simulation Solutions Blog

Efficiencies of the Object Generator

The model chosen to demonstrate some of the advantages of using Ansys Object Generator is shown below. It consists of a box and a lid which are connected with a large number of fasteners. One method of connecting them is with the use of simple beam elements which are easily generated in Ansys Workbench. However, even when easy, it becomes a chore when a large number of them are needed.

In this example, first, a simple beam with an assumed diameter of 6 mm spanning from the middle of the lid hole to the middle of a box hole will be generated. The first beam is created as usual…

Notice the nearby holes being empty! Now a Named selection is created of through-hole surfaces in the Lid as well as a similar Named Selection of through holes’ surfaces in the Box, see below.

The next step is to open the Object Generator dialog box in the Automation tab.

The first step in the Mechanical Application Wizard (the dialog box) is to identify the object to be used as a template, i.e. what is desired to be patterned, see the image below.

Once the beam which was created earlier is selected in the model tree, the Object Generator dialog box is opened.

Here the two named selections are selected from pull-down menus for Reference and Mobile scoping. The following task is to enter an approximate range for beams length. The software will create beams of the same length as the reference beam, but it is a good idea to still give a small range in case of slight differences in geometry of scoped bodies in all locations.

A default choice for geometry to be scoped to is Adjacent Entities but there are options to choose Each Entity or All Entities by Part if so desired. Here the beams need only be created between the generated named selections, so the default selection is left unchanged. The next is to select whether to Ignore the original or create an object in its place as well. Again, as no additional beams are needed in the place of the initially created beam, the default selection is kept. If no custom names are needed, click on Generate to create desired beams in all holes between the Lid and the Box as shown below.

As can be seen below, beams between the Lid and the Box are created between all scoped geometries, and the job is done!

This example was to show how the job of a fastener creation can be done in a more efficient manner while using the Object Generator to automate and expedite the creation of loads, boundary conditions, beam connections, and other features in Mechanical Applications. I hope this was helpful!

Inclusion of 3D Layout Components to HFSS 3d Layout

In recent years Ansys has released 3D encrypted components for Ansys HFSS. This feature allows users to simulate their complex structures in HFSS and pass completed designs to their customers while suppressing sensitive materials, objects, or structures. Encrypted models also allow for password protection for internal editing and for controlled customer use. A truly fantastic addition to HFSS that increases the ability to move further into system-level simulations instead of single components while protecting the intellectual property created during the design process. Figures 1 and 2 depict a simple coax cable with and without hidden modeling sections.

 In the recent software update, 2022 R1, Ansys has released a beta feature for 3D components in HFSS 3D Layout. This now allows for users to create a layout component for entire PCBs or sections of PCBs that can also be made into encrypted components. By encrypting PCB components, users can obfuscate stack-ups and ensure that material properties are hidden from end-users. This also allows for data, meshing, and solutions to remain encrypted within the component and on the hard disk.

Figure 1. Simple Coax Cable (No hidden encrypted models)

 

Figure 2. Simple Coax Cable (Internal Sections Hidden from Customer View)

For this blog post, we have created a novel trace to showcase the 3D encrypted modeling process. Figure 3 shows the trace. After model creation, the user can export a Layout Component which allows the user to create an encrypted or fully encrypted component. In the case of a fully encrypted component, the stack-up, material information, and layout details are completely hidden. The only thing visible to the end-user is the pin names and the black box. Figure 4 shows the dialog box for the component creation. The resulting black box is shown in Figure 5. As you can see, the novel trace information is now hidden from the end-user, but the solution information resides within the component save folder.

Figure 3. A novel trace on a multi-layer PCB

Figure 4. Layout Component Dialog Box

Figure 5. Final Encrypted PCB Component

3D Layout components are a new beta feature for 2022 R1 which allows for HFSS 3d Layout users to create black-box components for their end-users. These black-box models can be safely shared with password protection to ensure the intellectual property within the model remains safe while also allowing end-users to simulate using highly accurate PCB models. Within the setup there are options users can set for the level of hidden information including stack-up, material properties, as well as entire PCB traces. This allows for flexibility depending on the level of protection a designer needs. In the end, this new feature allows for the ability to share more simulation information that increases the fidelity of system-level simulations without fear of losing IP.