Getting Started with SimLab

SimLab Provides Geometry access capability to many CAD systems. One method uses CAD specific tool kit to access and display CAD geometry. The other method relies on a translator that converts CAD geometry to either Parasolid or STEP format. SimLab supports Parasolid, CATIA V5 and Pro-Engineer native geometry with assembly and feature information. SimLab provides automatic CAD geometry clean up during meshing.

SimLab has tools to create Geometry based on faceted representation or import various visualization/tessellation formats. SimLab supports XML-viewer format from I-DEAS, vrml format from Pro-engineer and CATIA, STL format, Nastran, and Abaqus finite element format. SimLab treats the incoming faceted representation as geometry entities (assembly, body, faces, edges and vertices) and perform meshing and geometry editing functions on them.

SimLab provides 1D, 2D and 3D manual and automated meshing tools based on CAD geometry or Tessellation/FEM models. Automated CAD clean up and CAD error detector are part of the meshing tool. SimLab’s goal is to provide more custom meshing tools for specific processes.

Basic node and element creation and manipulation tools are provided. FEM based extrude, sweep, merge and renumbering tools are built in this tool set. Time consuming manual tasks are later automated using custom tools. SimLab encourages users to avoid FEM tools for automated and repeatable process since these tools rely on node and element numbers instead of geometry or Topology based operations.

SimLab's architecture is based on assemblies and connections. Contact connections, FEM (MPC / Rigid) connections and other FEM idealizations are supported. FEM based assembly (Mesh, connections and Matrix math models) building functions allows users independently develop models and join them without numbering conflicts or origin of the source. This helps OEM-Tier supplier model building and simulations which are independent of CAD or proprietary formats.

SimLab provides Structural analysis (linear static, non linear static, modal, thermal stress and dynamic) loads, material, constraints, and property definition tools in a solver independent manner. These FEM entities are then translated to specific analysis data formats (OptiStruct, Nastran, Abaqus, Permas, ADVENTURECluster, Marc, Ansys, nFX, AcuSolve and Fluent).

SimLab also provides thermal analysis setup capabilities (Steady state, and transient analysis ) with linear and non linear material and loads.

Users can view and create standard web based reports after importing solver results.

SimLab saves all the data in a binary proprietary SimLab database for future use and also supports scripting and replay capabilities. SimLab provides database upgrade capabilities form older versions of SimLab files and also safe archiving in text format using Nastran or Abaqus input file formats.

This tool set is specifically designed to automate 1-D and 3-D bolt creation. Predefined bolt connections for NVH and durability analysis can be created using these tools. Power Train Modelling

SimLab provides automation tools to model bolts, shafts, bearing, gear assembly which will help reduce modelling time.

SimLab has unique capabilities to Automate Contact definitions between bodies, which saves lot of time in assembling large bodies.

SimLab supports OptiStruct's Topology and Free Shape optimization setup to attain optimized shape for designs in FEA. Also DOE can be done using CAD parameterization.

The primary goal of SimLab tools are to automate CAE Process and reduce the simulation time without compromising the quality and provide better return on investment to the customers.