CAD Import Module Updates
For users of the CAD Import Module, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.3 introduces several enhancements for more efficient geometry handling. These updates include support for the latest CAD file formats, the ability to preview assembly trees for selective component import, and automatic geometry cleanup for mesh preparation. Additionally, the Detect Interferences tool has been upgraded to offer improved gap detection with customizable gap tolerance. Read more about these updates below.
Updated CAD File Import
The CAD file import functionality now supports the latest versions of all compatible file formats. Additionally, AutoCAD®, Inventor®, and SOLIDWORKS® files can now be imported on supported Linux® operating systems with Intel® 64-bit processors. For a complete list of supported CAD file formats, visit the Read from File, CAD section of the CAD specification chart.
Preview the Assembly Tree of CAD Assemblies
When importing CAD assemblies from the Inventor®, NX™, PTC Creo Parametric™, PTC Pro/ENGINEER®, and SOLIDWORKS® software file formats, it is now possible to preview the assembly tree and select specific components to import.
Updates to the Detect Interferences Tool
The Detect Interferences tool now enables specification of a separate gap tolerance, improving the detection of gaps while simultaneously searching for other types of interferences. Additionally, new options have been added to select which types of detected interferences to display in the Interfering Faces list. These options include Show intersections, Show touches, Show gaps, and Show containments.
Automatic Geometry Cleanup
Small details and gaps in geometry can now be automatically detected and removed, simplifying the geometry for meshing purposes and reducing simulation size. The automatic process identifies small features like sliver faces, short edges, narrow gaps, and thin domains, which are then removed to prepare the model for analysis. For more control, the optional Cleanup Wizard makes it possible to adjust detail sizes and select cleanup operations.
The Geometry Cleanup functionality can automatically modify Boolean tolerances, add a Remove Details operation, and leverage functionality in the CAD Import Module or Design Module, depending on the detected features and available licenses. The Geometry Cleanup functionality is demonstrated in the Electrical Heating in a Busbar Assembly, Geometry Cleanup on a Wheel Rim Geometry, and Importing and Meshing a PCB Geometry from an ODB++ Archive tutorial models. Note that the more advanced features of the Geometry Cleanup functionality require a license for the CAD Import Module, Design Module, or LiveLink™ products for CAD. For more details, see the CAD Specification Chart.
A gap and thin domain are automatically detected in and removed from this circuit breaker model using the Geometry Cleanup functionality. Since a Design Module license is available in this example, Boolean operations from the module are used for cleanup. The same geometry is also featured in the video below.
A gap and thin domain are automatically detected in and removed from this circuit breaker model using the Geometry Cleanup functionality. The same geometry is used in the video above. Here, there is no license for the Design Module, so the details are cleaned up using the Remove Details and Merge Faces features.
This example demonstrates how to adjust the detail size in the Cleanup Wizard to detect and remove more small features. By increasing the Detail Size setting, additional sliver faces and short edges are identified for removal. This provides more control over which details are removed during geometry cleanup.
Virtual Operations
The virtual operations toolkit now includes the Merge Faces operation, which merges faces and eliminates gaps or regions between selected surfaces. When using the CAD Import Module, Design Module, or LiveLink™ products for CAD, the operation can also merge faces of different sizes and shapes by automatically creating the necessary imprints. The Merge Faces operation is also integrated into the new Geometry Cleanup process.
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoCAD, and Inventor are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. NX is a trademarks or registered trademark of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. PTC, Creo, Creo Parametric, and Pro/ENGINEER are trademarks or registered trademarks of PTC Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries. SOLIDWORKS is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. Support for implementation of the ODB++ format was provided by Mentor Graphics Corporation pursuant to the ODB++ Solutions Development Partnership General Terms and Conditions (https://odbplusplus.com/design/terms-of-use/).