Optimize Design with ANSYS AIM & Creo Parametric

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of AIM Product
3. Guided Workflows in AIM
4. CAD Integration in AIM
5. Importing Geometry into AIM
6. Meshing in AIM
7. Simulating Fluid Flow in AIM
8. Simulating Structural Analysis in AIM
9. Fluid-Structure Interaction in AIM
10. Viewing and Analyzing Results in AIM
11. Automating and Customizing in AIM

An Introduction to AIM: An Easy-to-Use Engineering Simulation Tool

Engineering simulation has become an integral part of the design process, allowing engineers and designers to accurately predict the performance of their products before manufacturing. However, traditional simulation tools can often be complex and require extensive training to use effectively. That's where AIM comes in.

AIM is an immersive engineering simulation tool developed by ANSYS, designed to make simulation accessible to engineers and designers who may not have extensive simulation expertise. With its easy-to-use interface and guided workflows, AIM allows users to perform a wide range of simulations without the need for specialized training.

In this article, we will explore the various features of AIM and how it can benefit engineers and designers in their simulation process. We will discuss the integration of AIM with CAD systems, the import and manipulation of geometry, the meshing process, and The Simulation of fluid flow, structural analysis, and fluid-structure interaction. Additionally, we will touch on the viewing and analyzing of simulation results in AIM, as well as the automation and customization options available.

By the end of this article, You will have a thorough understanding of AIM and how it can simplify the simulation process, saving time and resources while still providing accurate results.

1. Overview of AIM Product

Before diving into the specifics of AIM, it is essential to understand the product's purpose and capabilities. AIM is an immersive engineering simulation environment designed to bring together various physics simulations into one easy-to-use interface. Whether you need to perform structural analysis, fluid flow simulations, or even coupled multiphysics simulations, AIM has you covered.

One of the standout features of AIM is its breadth of physics simulations. With AIM, you can quickly and efficiently simulate fluid flow, thermal conduction, electric conduction, and even multiphysics problems like fluid-structure interaction. AIM provides predefined process templates for each Type of simulation, making it easy for users to navigate through the simulation setup process.

Another significant AdVantage of AIM is its CAD integration. AIM allows users to import CAD models from major CAD systems like Creo Parametric, as well as neutral file formats. This seamless integration makes it convenient for engineers and designers to work with their existing CAD models and perform simulations directly within the AIM environment.

In addition to its ease of use and extensive physics simulations, AIM also offers customization and automation options. Users can Create their own process templates to streamline their simulation workflow and improve productivity. AIM also supports scripting and journaling capabilities, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and tailor the software to their specific needs.

Overall, AIM serves as an all-in-one solution for engineers and designers looking to perform engineering simulations without the hassle of multiple specialized tools. Whether you need to analyze the structural integrity of a part, simulate fluid flow through a complex geometry, or explore the interaction between multiple physics phenomena, AIM has the capabilities to meet your needs.

2. Guided Workflows in AIM

AIM is designed to be an easy-to-use tool, even for engineers and designers with little to no simulation experience. One of the ways AIM achieves this is through its guided workflows. No longer do users need to be simulation experts to perform accurate and Meaningful simulations. AIM provides step-by-step guidance through predefined process templates, ensuring that users follow best practices and make informed decisions throughout the simulation setup process.

The guided workflows in AIM are Based on process templates for different physics simulations, such as structural analysis, fluid flow, and thermal analysis. Users can choose the appropriate template based on their simulation requirements and then follow the workflow, which takes them through the necessary steps for setting up the simulation.

For example, if a user needs to perform a structural analysis on a part, they can select the structural analysis template in AIM and follow the workflow, which includes steps such as importing the geometry, creating the mesh, applying boundary conditions and loads, and analyzing the results. Each step is clearly outlined and accompanied by Prompts and recommendations, ensuring that users complete the necessary tasks correctly.

One of the significant advantages of the guided workflows in AIM is that they democratize simulation. Engineers and designers who may not have formal simulation training can still perform accurate simulations by following the predefined workflows. This opens up simulation capabilities to a wider range of users and promotes collaboration between different teams and disciplines.

In addition to the predefined process templates, AIM also allows users to create their own custom templates. This feature is especially valuable for organizations that have specific simulation needs or standards. By creating custom templates, users can ensure that simulations within their organization follow consistent practices and capture the necessary data for analysis.

Overall, the guided workflows in AIM make it easy for users to set up and perform simulations, even without extensive simulation experience. The step-by-step guidance, accompanied by prompts and recommendations, helps users navigate through the simulation process efficiently and ensures accurate and meaningful results.

3. CAD Integration in AIM

AIM seamlessly integrates with major CAD systems, such as Creo Parametric, to provide users with a streamlined workflow from CAD design to simulation. This integration allows engineers and designers to work with their existing CAD models and perform simulations within the AIM environment, eliminating the need to transfer files between different software platforms.

To use AIM with CAD models, users can configure the CAD integration during the installation process or through the AIM executable file. Once the integration is set up, users can access their CAD models directly from within AIM. They can import CAD models in formats supported by their CAD system, such as Creo Parametric files or neutral files. This direct integration saves time and ensures that the most up-to-date CAD models are used for simulation.

In addition to importing CAD models, AIM also provides geometry editing capabilities using the SpaceClaim engine. SpaceClaim allows users to quickly and easily edit, repair, and simplify geometry within AIM. They can make changes to the CAD model or extract specific features required for the simulation, such as fluid volumes or wall boundaries. This editing capability improves efficiency and reduces the need for additional CAD software.

The CAD integration in AIM is not limited to importing and editing geometry. AIM also offers the ability to synchronize changes made in the CAD system back to the AIM environment. This means that if a user makes modifications or updates to the CAD model in their CAD system, those changes can be automatically reflected in the simulation setup in AIM. This synchronization ensures that the simulation data is always up-to-date and accurate.

Overall, the CAD integration in AIM enhances the simulation workflow by allowing users to work with their existing CAD models, perform geometry editing within AIM using the SpaceClaim engine, and synchronize changes between the CAD system and AIM. This integration streamlines the simulation process and eliminates the need for manual file transfers, resulting in increased productivity and accuracy.

4. Importing Geometry into AIM

AIM provides seamless integration with major CAD systems, allowing users to directly import CAD models into the AIM environment. This integration saves time and ensures that the most up-to-date CAD models are used for simulation.

To import a CAD model into AIM, users can access the CAD integration feature and select the desired CAD file format, such as Creo Parametric or neutral file formats. Once the CAD model is imported, it appears within the AIM environment, ready for simulation.

In addition to importing complete CAD models, AIM also allows users to import partial geometries or specific features. This flexibility is especially useful when users only need to simulate certain parts or components of a larger assembly. By selectively importing geometry, users can focus their simulations on specific areas of interest and reduce computational overhead.

AIM's geometry import process is efficient and accurate, ensuring that the imported CAD models retain their original design intent and integrity. This allows users to trust the imported geometry and proceed with their simulations confidently.

Furthermore, AIM supports a wide range of file formats, including those generated by various CAD systems. This compatibility ensures that engineers and designers can leverage their existing CAD models seamlessly and seamlessly integrate them into the simulation process using AIM.

In summary, AIM's CAD integration and geometry import capabilities enable users to perform simulations using their existing CAD models efficiently and accurately. Whether importing complete CAD models or specific features, AIM ensures a seamless transfer of geometry, maintaining design integrity throughout the simulation process.

5. Meshing in AIM

Meshing is a crucial step in any simulation process as it discretizes the geometry into a series of interconnected elements, allowing for the application of mathematical models to simulate physical behavior. In AIM, meshing is a straightforward and intuitive process that can be performed efficiently within the software.

AIM offers a variety of meshing options, including both tetrahedral and hexahedral elements. This flexibility allows users to select the meshing method that best suits their simulation needs.

AIM also provides extensive control over the mesh size and quality, enabling users to refine or coarsen the mesh based on their analysis requirements. Users can define global mesh settings, such as element size and element growth, to achieve the desired level of accuracy and computational efficiency.

In addition to the meshing controls, AIM includes advanced features like inflation layers for capturing boundary layer effects in fluid flow simulations. These inflation layers are automatically generated at the fluid-solid interface, ensuring accurate results in regions of high flow gradients.

AIM's meshing capabilities are not limited to simple geometries. The software can handle complex geometries, including assemblies and parts with intricate details. The meshing process in AIM adapts to the complexity of the geometry, automatically generating a suitable mesh that captures the details and intricacies of the model.

Overall, AIM's meshing capabilities provide users with the tools necessary to generate high-quality meshes tailored to their simulation needs. Whether dealing with simple or complex geometries, AIM ensures accurate and efficient meshing for reliable simulation results.

6. Simulating Fluid Flow in AIM

Fluid flow simulations play a crucial role in various engineering applications, from analyzing the performance of hydraulic systems to optimizing heat transfer in HVAC systems. AIM provides a user-friendly interface for simulating fluid flow, making it accessible to engineers and designers without specialized fluid dynamics knowledge.

To simulate fluid flow in AIM, users can select the appropriate process template and follow the guided workflow provided. The process template guides users through the necessary steps for setting up the simulation, such as importing the geometry, defining boundary conditions, and specifying fluid properties.

AIM offers a range of fluid flow simulations, including steady-state and transient analyses, laminar and turbulent flow, and compressible and incompressible flow. Users can select the simulation type that best matches their requirements and follow the workflow to set up the simulation accurately.

Within AIM, users can also Visualize and analyze the results of their fluid flow simulations. The software provides comprehensive post-processing tools, allowing users to examine flow Patterns, velocity profiles, pressure distributions, and other critical parameters.

AIM's fluid flow simulation capabilities are further enhanced by its integration with CAD systems. Users can import CAD models directly into AIM, allowing for accurate representation of the geometry in the simulation. This integration simplifies the workflow by eliminating the need for manual geometry reconstruction or file translation.

In summary, AIM makes fluid flow simulation accessible to engineers and designers by providing an intuitive interface and guided workflows. Whether analyzing flow patterns in a complex system or optimizing the performance of a fluid-carrying component, AIM offers the tools and features needed to perform accurate and meaningful fluid flow simulations.

7. Simulating Structural Analysis in AIM

Structural analysis is a fundamental aspect of engineering design, allowing engineers to assess the strength, stiffness, and stability of their designs. AIM provides users with the capabilities to perform structural analysis simulations with ease, helping them to optimize their designs for performance and reliability.

Using AIM's guided workflows, users can set up structural analysis simulations quickly and efficiently. The process template for structural analysis guides users through the necessary steps, such as importing the geometry, defining materials and boundary conditions, and specifying analysis parameters.

AIM supports a wide range of structural analysis simulations, including linear and nonlinear static analyses, modal analyses, and harmonic response analyses. Users can select the appropriate simulation type based on their design objectives and follow the workflow to set up the simulation accurately.

AIM's integration with CAD systems allows users to import CAD models directly into the software, ensuring accurate representation of the geometry in the simulation. This integration simplifies the workflow and eliminates the need for manual geometry reconstruction or file translation.

After performing the structural analysis simulation, AIM provides comprehensive post-processing capabilities for visualizing and analyzing the results. Users can examine stress and deformation distributions, displacement profiles, and other critical output parameters to assess the structural performance of their designs.

In summary, AIM's capabilities in structural analysis provide engineers and designers with the tools they need to analyze and optimize their designs for structural integrity and performance. With its user-friendly interface and guided workflows, AIM simplifies the simulation process, making structural analysis accessible to users of all experience levels.

8. Fluid-Structure Interaction in AIM

Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) is a specialized simulation technique that captures the interaction between a fluid flow and a structural body. AIM provides users with the capabilities to simulate FSI scenarios, allowing for the analysis of complex engineering problems where fluid and structural behavior are coupled.

AIM's FSI capabilities are based on its integration of fluid flow and structural analysis simulations. Users can select the appropriate FSI process template and follow the guided workflow to set up the simulation accurately.

When setting up an FSI simulation in AIM, users define the fluid region and structural region, specifying the appropriate boundary conditions and properties for each. AIM then performs the coupled simulation, transferring information between the fluid and structure domains to capture their interaction.

AIM provides comprehensive post-processing capabilities for FSI simulations, allowing users to visualize and analyze the results. Users can examine pressure distributions, deformation patterns, and other critical parameters to gain insights into the fluid-structure interaction behavior.

With AIM's FSI capabilities, engineers and designers can simulate scenarios where fluid flow and structural response are interdependent, such as the behavior of flexible structures exposed to fluid forces. AIM's user-friendly interface and guided workflows make FSI simulations accessible to users without specialized FSI expertise.

9. Viewing and Analyzing Results in AIM

The ability to visualize and analyze simulation results is crucial for engineers and designers to interpret and understand the behavior of their designs. AIM provides comprehensive post-processing capabilities that allow users to examine and gain insights from simulation results quickly and efficiently.

Within AIM, users can visualize results using various tools and techniques. They can view contour plots, vector plots, and streamline animations to understand parameters such as stress distributions, fluid flow patterns, or temperature profiles. AIM supports interactive slicing, plane creation, and probe tools, enabling users to gain deeper insights into the simulation results.

In addition to visualizations, AIM allows users to extract quantitative data from the simulation results for further analysis. Users can generate reports, create XY plots, and export data for external analysis or documentation purposes. AIM's post-processing capabilities ensure that users can effectively analyze and communicate the findings from their simulations.

AIM also provides features for comparing results from different simulation scenarios or design iterations. Users can create design points, which represent different sets of simulation parameters, and visualize the results side by side for easy comparison. This feature is especially useful for design exploration and optimization studies.

Overall, AIM's post-processing capabilities enable engineers and designers to make informed decisions based on simulation results. Whether visualizing complex phenomena or extracting quantitative data, AIM provides the tools and flexibility needed for effective result analysis.

10. Automating and Customizing in AIM

Customization and automation play a key role in improving productivity and efficiency in any engineering simulation workflow. AIM provides users with various options for customization and automation, allowing them to tailor the software to their specific needs and automate recurring tasks.

One of the customization options in AIM is the ability to create user-defined process templates. Users can develop their own simulation workflows based on their specific requirements and save them as templates for future use. This feature ensures that users can follow consistent practices and streamline the simulation setup process.

AIM also supports scripting and journaling capabilities, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks or create custom workflows. By leveraging scripting, users can create scripts to perform complex simulations or manipulate simulation data programmatically. This automation saves time and reduces the risk of errors associated with manual tasks.

Furthermore, AIM's automation capabilities extend to integration with external software and tools. Users can leverage the scripting capabilities to Interact with other software packages, such as MATLAB or Excel, for advanced analysis or optimization studies. This integration enables users to harness the power of multiple software platforms within their simulation workflow.

In summary, AIM provides extensive customization and automation options, empowering engineers and designers to tailor the software to their specific needs and automate recurring tasks. Whether creating custom process templates, scripting complex simulations, or integrating with external software, AIM offers flexibility and efficiency in the simulation workflow.

Conclusion

AIM is an easy-to-use and powerful engineering simulation tool that brings together various physics simulations into one unified environment. With its guided workflows, CAD integration, and extensive capabilities, AIM simplifies the simulation process, making it accessible to engineers and designers without specialized simulation expertise.

In this article, we explored the features and benefits of AIM, from its guided workflows and CAD integration to its meshing capabilities and simulation types. We discussed how AIM enables users to simulate fluid flow, structural analysis, and fluid-structure interaction, as well as its post-processing and customization options.

AIM's user-friendly interface, combined with its accuracy and breadth of physics simulations, makes it an invaluable tool for engineers and designers looking to optimize their designs and make informed decisions based on simulation results.

Whether you're a seasoned simulation expert or a designer getting started with simulation, AIM provides an accessible and powerful solution to your engineering simulation needs.

Highlights

• AIM is an easy-to-use and immersive engineering simulation tool that brings together various physics simulations in one environment.
• Guided workflows in AIM ensure that users can perform accurate simulations without the need for specialized training.
• AIM seamlessly integrates with major CAD systems, allowing for the direct import and editing of CAD models within the software.
• AIM provides comprehensive meshing options, allowing for the accurate discretization of geometries into elements.
• Users can simulate fluid flow, structural analysis, and fluid-structure interaction within the AIM environment.
• AIM offers advanced post-processing capabilities for visualizing and analyzing simulation results.
• Customization and automation options in AIM allow users to tailor the software to their specific needs and automate recurring tasks.

FAQ

Q: Can AIM be used alongside other simulation tools like Creo Simulate? A: Yes, AIM can be used alongside other simulation tools. While AIM offers a comprehensive solution for engineering simulation, it can also work in conjunction with other simulation tools to provide additional capabilities.

Q: Does AIM support the analysis of ball bearings or point contacts? A: AIM can analyze various types of mechanical components, including ball bearings and point contacts. Users can define appropriate contact conditions and simulate the behavior of these components under different loads and operating conditions.

Q: Is it possible to create a volume extract and export it to a CAD software like Creo Parametric? A: Yes, AIM allows users to manipulate geometry and create volume extracts using the included SpaceClaim engine. These volume extracts can be exported to CAD software, such as Creo Parametric, for further analysis or design modifications.

Q: Are there plans to include additional templates in future versions of AIM? A: As with any software, updates and enhancements are constantly being made. It is likely that future versions of AIM will include additional templates to cater to a wider range of simulation needs.

Q: Can Candice analyze mixed media scenarios, such as a tube with both Water and air? A: Yes, AIM has the capability to simulate scenarios with mixed media, such as a tube with both water and air. Users can define the fluid properties for each medium and set appropriate boundary conditions to simulate the desired behavior.

Q: Can I open AIM projects in the ANSYS Workbench environment independently? A: AIM projects cannot be opened directly in the ANSYS Workbench environment. However, the two software platforms share the same underlying technology and can be used together by linking active CAT sessions and exchanging geometry and simulation data.

Q: Can AIM simulate scenarios where exhaust gas is cooled by water sprayers? A: It is possible to simulate scenarios where exhaust gas is cooled by water sprayers using AIM. AIM provides the tools to simulate the interaction between fluid flow and structures, allowing for the analysis of complex phenomena like the cooling of exhaust gases.

Q: Is there a plan to include more templates in future versions of AIM, such as random vibration analysis? A: ANSYS regularly updates its software offerings, and future versions of AIM may include additional templates, such as random vibration analysis. However, it is always best to check with ANSYS for the most up-to-date information on software features and updates.