List of Flux 2023.1 new features

New features dealing with Environment


New features	Description
FEMT migrated in full Java 11	In previous version, Flux e-Machine Toolbox was running with Java 8 and NetBeans Platforms 12.5 framework. For security reasons, in version 2023.1 Flux e-Machine Toolbox is now running with Java 11 only. In this version, Flux e-Machine Toolbox launchers are now available in following paths: On windows: Graphical User Interface: Flux\EMachineToolbox\Scripts\win\EMachineToolbox.exe Command Line: Flux\EMachineToolbox\Scripts\win\emtcli.bat On Linux: Graphical User Interface: Flux/EMachineToolbox/Scripts/lin/EMachineToolbox.sh Command Line: Flux/EMachineToolbox/Scripts/lin/emtcli.sh

New features dealing with Meshing


New features	Description
update of ASML	ASML Library has been updated. MeshGems is always available, but now the default mesher is the Altair Solid Mesher Library. It's planned to remove MeshGems in the next release.

New features dealing with Physics


New features	Description
Previewing the 3D geometry and creating sensors in Flux Skew before solving	Until version 2023, in Flux Skew module users could not pre-visualize the skewed 3D geometry and create sensors before solving a scenario. From 2023.1 those are now feasible with the Create preview 3D feature. Users can benefit from a time reduction as sensors evaluation takes place during the solving process and the specialized application definition settings can be checked.

New features dealing with Solving


New features	Description
Topology optimization in Flux 2D	In version 2023.1, Flux 2D provides its users with novel Topology optimization tools for the design of electromagnetic devices. This new toolset complements the free-shape optimization functions already available in Flux 2D, allowing electromagnetic designers to benefit even further from the state-of-the-art structural optimization methods offered by the Flux-OptiStruct coupling. Topological optimization methods are based upon the addition or removal of the matter composing the parts being optimized. This process frequently leads to quite innovative shapes that may not have been previously considered.
Mechanical problems for free-shape and topology optimization in Flux 2D	New tools allowing the inclusion of Mechanical responses and constraints in Free-shape and Topology optimization problems are now available in Flux 2023.1. The consideration of Mechanical Problems improves the results yielded by an optimization problem when compared to the optimization of a device based solely on electromagnetic quantities.
Equation responses and Super responses	Two new types of Responses have been added, allowing users to better describe their structural optimization problems in Flux 2D. The new types are: Equation responses: a response described by an equation involving simple mathematical functions and other responses. Super responses: a response derived from other responses through a mathematical operation targeting all their values in a scenario (e.g average, max, min, RMS) These are compatible with both Free-Shape and Topology optimization problems, and may be used with advantage (from a performance point of view) when compared with responses described by Compose functions.

New features dealing with Flux e-Machine Toolbox ( FEMT)


New features	Description
New ribbon with possible functions on a test	Some actions on a test have been highlighted in a ribbon bar on the top: the report export (HTML and PDF formats) the data export (TXT format) the system export (MAT format for Look Up Table) the quick run with new parameters (update of efficient maps)
Torque computation mode	From version 2023.1, there are 2 torque computation modes: Electromagnetic mode: computation of the electromagnetic torque (without taking into account iron losses). This mode is available for all the command modes: MTPA, MTPV, MTPA Fast and MTPV Fast. Useful mode (which is the default torque computation mode): computation of the useful torque (taking into account iron losses). This mode is only available for the MTPA and MTPV command modes. Remarque : Prior to version 2023.1, the torque computed was the electromagnetic torque (Electromagnetic mode) for all the command modes: MTPA, MTPV, MTPA Fast and MTPV Fast.

Updated/New examples

Description

Shape optimization of a SRM - 2D Application Note

The example carries out the shape optimization of a synchronous reluctance machine (SRM). Mean torque will be optimized.

The initial geometry of the SRM is imported from a STEP file. Three different shape optimizations will be presented: without constrains, imposing a rotor mass decrease of 20% and imposing this same mass reduction and rotor’s symmetry.


Studied cases	Response	Constraints
Case 1	Maximize average torque	No Constraint
Case 2	Maximize average torque	Rotor mass decrease > 20%
Case 3	Maximize average torque	Rotor mass decrease > 20% Torque Ripple < 20%
Case 4	Minimize torque ripple	Rotor mass decrease > 20% Average Torque > 11.9Nm

Wound Field Motor Flux - 2D Application Note

The studied device, a wound field motor presented in the figure below, includes the following elements:

a fixed part (stator) including yoke, slots, and windings
a movable rotating part (rotor) with slots and a winding carrying a constant current
an airgap between those two sets


6 uses cases	Illustration
Case 1: Open Circuit Test Case 2: Three phase Case 3: One phase Case 4: Phase-to-phase Case 5: Phase-to-phase-to-earth Case 6: On Load Test

Updated/New macros

Several macros has been added or updated. For more details, please consult the following link: Flux 2023.1: New and Updated Macros


Updated / New macros
Find_Rotor_Angle_2D.PFM and Find_Rotor_Angle_3D.PFM and Find_Rotor_Angle_Skew.PFM (Update) Those macro now can be used on machines that have rotor with coil conductors instead of magnets (wound field motor for instance). The Skew macro have been corrected to be able to be used in any type of skewing (step skew, continuous skew, continuous layered skew). The skewing can either be at the rotor or the stator.
CreateEccentered mechanical set (Update) Add a new input that allows to preset a rotor initial position a t=0s.
LUT_2D_4SystemAnalysis_Half.PFM (New) This macro intends to create look up table of flux dq, Ld, Lq and torque versus Id, Iq and rotor position (if needed). The goal is for analysis on the system part (like with Twin Activate or PSIM for instance). It will create a new Magneto-Static project from the transient magnetic one. In the Magneto-Static project the current is driven with Id and Iq allowing to extract easily all the needed tables. At the end of the oml file in comment there is the possibility to display Ld, Lq and torque versus Id and Iq with Altair Compose. An *.mat file is created.
MeshingForMechanicalOptim.PFM (New) The purpose of this macro is to generate and control a refined mesh that is adapted to Topology optimization problems. It also generates meshes that are suitable to Free-shape optimization problems relying on Mechanical problems. The macro can be executed by simply selecting the faces for optimization. The macro will set an inactive relaxation on these faces and disable relaxation on the lines of these faces. It allows also remeshing some additional faces proposed by the user (optional) to obtain a regular mesh. It will set a medium relaxation on these faces and set inactive relaxation on the lines of these faces. The mesh size is controlled by creating a mesh point with a default value of 0.5 mm (which can be modified by the user).
Rename macro "MeshingForShapeOptim.PFM" in "MeshingForMagneticShapeOptim.PFM". The macro is stored in the folder ../Extensions/Macros/Macros_Flux2D_Optimization.