02 Basic 2d 1steps Geometrymeshtutorial

CAD package for electromagnetic and thermal analysis using finite elements
Flux
by CEDRAT
Geometry and mesh tutorial /

First steps in using Flux
2D basic example
Flux is a registered trademark.
Flux software : COPYRIGHT CEDRAT/INPG/CNRS/EDF

Flux tutorials : COPYRIGHT CEDRAT
This tutorial was edited on 3 juillet 2012
Ref.: KF 2 05 -G- 111 - EN -07/12
CEDRAT
15 Chemin de Malacher - Inovallée
38246 Meylan Cedex
FRANCE
Phone: +33 (0)4 76 90 50 45
Fax: +33 (0)4 56 38 08 30
E-mail: cedrat@cedrat.com
Web: http://www.cedrat.com
Foreword
*(Please read before starting this document)
Description of The goal of this basic example is to familiarize the user with the Flux
the example geometry and mesh description process using a simple device.
The user who wants to learn the physics, solving and post-processing
description process will consult one of the three basics examples.
Organization The organization of the chapters is the following.

information  all topics beginning with a verb (create, add, assign, …) contain
information about actions you must complete
 all topics beginning with the word “about” contain definitions or
general information about specific features.
Required If you are a beginner with Flux, it is recommended that you read and work
knowledge through the complete text of the chapters.
If you are an experienced user of Flux, you may be able to enter the
problem information quickly without having to read the “about”
paragraphs.
Support files You can refer to the supplied files in case of difficulties completing this
included... tutorial, or directly adapt this tutorial to your needs, without going through
all the steps to construct the model. If you install Flux with the
documentation and the examples, files are placed in the folder:
C:\CEDRAT (or your installation folder)
\FluxDocExamples_11.1\Examples2D \ GeometryMesh. Supplied files are
command files written in PyFlux language. The user can launch them in
order to automatically recover the Flux projects for each case.
**(.py files are launched by accessing Project/Command file from the
Flux drop down menu.)
Supplied files Contents Flux file obtained after

launching the .py file
Geometry of the two probes PROBE_2D.FLU
Geometry of the wheel base object WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU
buildGeom.py
Geometry of the sensor (complete SENSOR_2D.FLU
device)
buildMesh.py Meshed complete device SENSOR_2D.FLU*
The main.py enables the launch of these command files

*SENSOR_2D.FLU is re-used as a base in the Magneto statics application tutorial
Flux TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part A: General information 1
1. Overview..................................................................................................................................3
1.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................4
1.2. The studied device: a variable reluctance speed sensor..............................................................5
1.3. The device description in Flux: which strategy? ...........................................................................6
1.4. Main stages for geometry description ...........................................................................................7
2. Get started with Flux................................................................................................................9
2.1. Start the Flux Supervisor.............................................................................................................11
2.2. About the Flux Supervisor...........................................................................................................12
2.3. Open Flux2D ...............................................................................................................................13
Part B: Geometry and mesh description of the studied device 15

1. Geometric description of the probe object .............................................................................17
1.1. Create a Flux project for the probe .............................................................................................19
1.1.1. Create a new project for the probe ...............................................................................20
1.1.2. About the Flux2D window .............................................................................................21
1.1.3. About the Help menu / User guide ...............................................................................22
1.1.4. About the geometry context..........................................................................................24
1.1.5. Name the project ..........................................................................................................25
1.2. Strategy and tools for geometry description of the probe ...........................................................27
1.2.1. Available geometric tools and analysis before geometry description...........................28
1.2.2. Main stages for the probe geometry description ..........................................................30
1.3. Creation of geometric tools .........................................................................................................31
1.3.1. Deactivate Aided mesh.................................................................................................32
1.3.2. About creation of an entity ............................................................................................33
1.3.3. About geometric parameters ........................................................................................35
1.3.4. Create the geometric parameters.................................................................................36
1.3.5. About the undo command.............................................................................................38
1.3.6. About selection of graphic entities................................................................................39
1.3.7. About modification and deletion of an entity.................................................................41
1.3.8. About graphic view .......................................................................................................44
1.3.9. Change the background color ......................................................................................46
1.3.10. About coordinate systems ............................................................................................47
1.3.11. Create the coordinate systems.....................................................................................49
1.4. Creation of points and lines for the probe base ..........................................................................52
1.4.1. About points..................................................................................................................53
1.4.2. Create points for the probe base ..................................................................................54
1.4.3. About display of entities in the graphic scene ..............................................................56
1.4.4. About lines ....................................................................................................................57
1.4.5. Create lines for the probe base ....................................................................................58
1.5. Building faces for the probe ........................................................................................................61
1.5.1. About automatic construction .......................................................................................62
1.5.2. Build faces of the probe base .......................................................................................63
1.5.3. About transformations...................................................................................................64
1.5.4. Create the geometric transformation ............................................................................66
1.5.5. About propagation and extrusion..................................................................................68
1.5.6. About selection by criterion ..........................................................................................69
1.5.7. Propagate faces............................................................................................................70
1.5.8. Save and close the project ...........................................................................................73
2. Geometric description of the wheel base object ....................................................................75
2.1. Create a Flux project for the wheel base ....................................................................................77
2.1.1. Create and name a new project for the wheel base.....................................................78
2.2. Strategy and tools for geometry description of the wheel base object .......................................79
2.2.1. Available geometric tools and analysis before geometry description...........................80
Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS Flux
2.2.2. Main stages for the wheel base geometric description.................................................82

2.3. Creation of geometric tools .........................................................................................................83
2.3.1. Deactivate aided mesh .................................................................................................84
2.3.2. Create the geometric parameters .................................................................................85
2.3.3. Create the coordinate system.......................................................................................87
2.4. Creation of points and lines for the wheel base ..........................................................................89
2.4.1. Create the points for the wheel base ............................................................................90
2.4.2. Create the lines for the wheel base ..............................................................................92
2.5. Building the face for the wheel base ...........................................................................................95
2.5.1. Build the face ................................................................................................................96
2.6. Creation of the transformation.....................................................................................................97
2.6.1. Create the transformation .............................................................................................98
2.6.2. Save and close the project ........................................................................................ 101
3. Geometric description of the sensor....................................................................................103
3.1. Create a Flux project for the sensor......................................................................................... 105
3.1.1. Create and name a new project for the sensor ......................................................... 106
3.2. Strategy and tools for geometric description of the sensor...................................................... 107
3.2.1. Available geometric tools and analysis before geometry description........................ 108
3.2.2. Main stages for geometric description ....................................................................... 109
3.3. Importation of the wheel base object and building the whole wheel........................................ 111
3.3.1. Import the wheel base object..................................................................................... 112
3.3.2. Geometry building process of the wheel.................................................................... 113
3.3.3. Propagate the face (tooth) ......................................................................................... 114
3.3.4. Extrude the line .......................................................................................................... 117
3.3.5. Create an arc ............................................................................................................. 119
3.3.6. Propagate the arc ...................................................................................................... 121
3.3.7. Build faces ................................................................................................................. 123
3.4. Importation of the probe objects and positioning of the wheel and probes.............................. 125
3.4.1. Import the first probe object ....................................................................................... 126
3.4.2. Modify the parameters ............................................................................................... 128
3.4.3. Import the second probe object ................................................................................. 129
3.5. Completing the domain ............................................................................................................ 131
3.5.1. About an infinite box .................................................................................................. 132
3.5.2. Add an infinite box ..................................................................................................... 133
3.5.3. Build faces ................................................................................................................. 134
4. Mesh generation of the sensor............................................................................................135
4.1. Strategy and tools for mesh generation of the sensor ............................................................. 137
4.1.1. Available meshing tools and analysis before mesh generation................................. 138
4.1.2. Main stages for mesh description .............................................................................. 139
4.2. Meshing the sensor with aided mesh....................................................................................... 141
4.2.1. Change to the mesh context...................................................................................... 142
4.2.2. About the mesh context ............................................................................................. 143
4.2.3. About Aided mesh...................................................................................................... 144
4.2.4. Synchronize Aided mesh value and mesh lines and faces ....................................... 145
4.3. Optimize the mesh ................................................................................................................... 149
4.3.1. About mesh tools ....................................................................................................... 151
4.3.2. Modify the Aided relaxation on lines and faces ......................................................... 154
4.3.3. Modify the mesh points.............................................................................................. 155
4.3.4. Assign mesh points to points ..................................................................................... 156
4.3.5. Create a mesh point................................................................................................... 158
4.3.6. Assign the mesh point to points................................................................................. 159
4.3.7. Create a mesh line..................................................................................................... 161
4.3.8. Assign meshline to lines ............................................................................................ 163
4.3.9. Mesh lines and faces ................................................................................................. 165
4.3.10. Save the project and close the Flux2D window......................................................... 167
PAGE B Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux TABLE OF CONTENTS
5. Annex...................................................................................................................................169
5.1. Use of command files................................................................................................................171
5.1.1. About command files and the Python language.........................................................172
5.1.2. Execute command file ................................................................................................173
Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE C

TABLE OF CONTENTS Flux
PAGE D Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Part A: General information:
Part A: General information
Introduction This part A contains the presentation of the studied device and some
information about the Flux software.
Contents This part contains the following topics:
Topic See Page

Overview 3
Get started with Flux 9
Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 1

Part A: General information Flux
PAGE 2 Geometry and mesh tutorial

1. Overview
Introduction This chapter presents the studied device (a variable reluctance speed sensor)
and the strategy of the device description in Flux.
Contents This chapter contains the following topics:
Topic See Page

Introduction 4
The studied device: a variable reluctance speed sensor 5
The device description in Flux: which strategy? 6
Main stages for geometry description 7

1.1. Introduction
Introduction Flux is finite elements software for electromagnetic simulation. Flux handles
the design and analysis of any electromagnetic device.
To perform a study with Flux, you build a finite elements project. This
process is broken into 5 phases:
 geometry description*
 mesh generation
 description of the physical properties
 solving process
 analysis of the results
Only the first two phases are presented in this document.
* In this document the geometry description is done in the Flux standard mode. The
user will have to close the Sketcher context..
Objective The objective of this document is the discovery and mastering of various
functionalities in the software through the example of a simple device.
The device is a variable reluctance speed sensor described in the following
paragraphs.
The studied functionalities* of the software are those, related to the phases of
construction of the geometry and generation of the mesh.
The user will also find in this document useful information concerning the
software: description of the environment, data management, graphic
representation, etc.
* The functionalities of the software related to the following phases - description of

the physical properties, resolution, and analysis of the results - are not detailed in this
document.

1.2. The studied device: a variable reluctance speed sensor
Introduction The device to be analyzed is a speed sensor.
Structure The variable reluctance speed sensor consists of a cogged wheel, a magnet
and a coil connected to a measuring resistance.
Operation The rotation of the cogged wheel near the tip of the sensor changes the
magnetic Flux, creating an analog voltage signal that can be recovered in
probes.
Typical Typical applications are:

applications  ignition system engine speed and position
 speed sensing for electronically controlled transmissions
 vehicle speed sensing
 wheel speed sensing for ABS and traction control systems

1.3. The device description in Flux: which strategy?
Problem How to describe the device in Flux?

Reminder: we only are interested in geometrical construction and generation of the
mesh.
Geometric The device consists of:

structure  one cogged wheel with three teeth
 two probes with a magnet and a coil around
COIL 1+
MAGNET 1 PROBE 1
WHEEL
COIL 1-
COIL 2+
MAGNET 2 PROBE 2
COIL 2-
Strategy Two strategies of description exist:

 one-phase description:
- description of the whole device in only one Flux project
 two-phase description:
- independent description of separated parts of the device in several Flux
projects
- import of the independent projects (PROBE_2D.FLU and
WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU) into one main project SENSOR_2D.FLU
The second strategy is selected in this tutorial.
Of course, the geometry can be built in ways other than the presented one. The
sensor geometry is defined in this particular way in order to introduce you to
the most used Flux2D features.
Continued on next page

1.4. Main stages for geometry description
Process An outline of the general construction process is given in the two following
(general blocks:
aspects)  the first process (1) is presented for ease of understanding
 the second process (2) is the real building process used in this document.
Process (1) An outline of the logical process of the geometry description is given in the
table below.
Phase Description
1 Probe description
2 Cogged wheel description
3 Sensor description
4 Addition of air around the device and closing of the domain

by the technique of the Infinite Box

Process (2) An outline of the real process of the geometry description, used in this tutorial,
is given in the table below.
1 Probe description Project: PROBE_2D.FLU
2 Wheel base object description (elementary pattern) Project: WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU
3 Sensor description Project: SENSOR_2D.FLU

Importation of the elementary pattern (WHEEL_BASE_2D)
Building of the whole wheel
Importation of a probe object (PROBE_2D)
Rotation of the probe and rotation of the cogged wheel
Importation of a probe object (PROBE_2D)
Addition of an Infinite Box

2. Get started with Flux
Introduction This chapter shows how to start working with Flux and includes a
presentation of the Flux Supervisor.
It also shows how to start the preprocessor for Flux2D.
More detailed information about Flux2D menus and commands is presented
in Part B § 1.1.2 About the Flux2D window.
Topic See Page

Start the Flux Supervisor 11
About the Flux Supervisor 12
Open Flux2D 13


2.1. Start the Flux Supervisor
Goal Starting Flux involves opening the Flux Supervisor.
Action To start Flux from the Windows taskbar:
 Start  Program  Cedrat  Flux
Result The Flux Supervisor window opens.

2.2. About the Flux Supervisor
The Flux The Flux Supervisor organizes all the modules for both Flux2D and Flux3D.
Supervisor
window The Flux Supervisor window is divided into several areas. These areas are
identified in the following figure and described in the table below.
Menu bar
Tool bar
Modules
Directory
manager
Project
files
Program
manager
Geometry Most recent used files
view
Area Function
Modules to list and launch all the Flux modules (Flux2D,
Circuit, etc.)
Directory manager to show the computer’s complete directory
Project files to display all Flux projects in the selected directory
Program manager contains shortcuts to the Dos Shell and the Explorer
Geometry view to display a preview of the geometry, if a project is
selected
Recent files To display most recent used
Some checks From the Flux Supervisor you should:

before you  Select the Flux 2D tab in order to access the specific Flux 2D programs.
begin  Access your working directory by selecting it in the supervisor’s directory
manager window.
 Verify that the title of the Program manager area is the standard version
(Flux2D: Standard). If not, in the menu bar, select Versions and check
Standard.

2.3. Open Flux2D
Goal The preprocessor Flux2D will be opened to manage the geometry building of
the device and mesh generation.
Action To open Flux2D from the Flux Supervisor:
2. Select the directory

of the project
3. Double-click on
Geometry&Physics
1. Click on the
Flux2D tab

Result The PreFlux window for Flux 2D applications is opened.

There are two menus in the PreFlux window: Project and Help*.
* A new project must be created to see the complete set of PreFlux commands.

Flux Part B: Geometry and mesh description of the studied device:
Part B: Geometry and mesh description of the studied

device
Introduction This part B contains the description of the studied device and provide when
needed some information about the Flux software.
Contents This part contains the following topics:
Topic See Page

Geometric description of the probe object 17
Geometric description of the wheel base object 75
Geometric description of the sensor 103
Mesh generation of the sensor 135
Annex 169

Part B: Geometry and mesh description of the studied device Flux

1. Geometric description of the probe object
Introduction This chapter presents the general steps of the geometry construction and the
data required to describe the probe geometry.
The probe object is presented in the figure below.
COIL
MAGNET
Topic See Page

Create a Flux project for the probe 19
Strategy and tools for geometry description 27
Creation of geometric tools 31
Creation of points and lines for the probe base 52
Building faces for the probe 61


1.1. Create a Flux project for the probe
Introduction Each time that a Flux program is started, it is possible to open an existing
project or create a new project.
Contents This section contains the following topics:
Topic See Page

Create a new project for the probe 20
About the Flux2D window 21
About the Help menu / User guide 22
About the geometry context 24
Name the project 25

1.1.1. Create a new project for the probe
Goal At the beginning of the geometry description a new project will be created.
Action To create a new project from the …

Project menu: Project toolbar:
1. Click on New 1. Click on the icon
OR
Result Flux retrieves a great deal of information from the database model in order to
build the proper database of the new project. The new project is temporarily
named ANONYMOUS.
The Flux2D window for Flux 2D applications is opened directly in the
Sketcher context as below.
Action Close the sketcher context in order to describe the geometry in Flux.

1.1.2. About the Flux2D window
Flux2D window The Flux2D project window opens in the Geometry context. The Flux2D
project window has the complete set of the tools to build the geometry of the
device, to mesh the computation domain and to visualize the device during
different steps of the construction.
Areas The Flux2D project window is divided into three main areas. The different
areas can be resized or hid by using the arrows.
Graphic
Data tree scene
History zone
Area Function
Data tree displays all the problem data in a tree structure that is
expanded using the key
Graphic scene displays the graphic entities
History zone prints Python command instructions
Menus and All Flux2D commands are in the menus. Toolbars include icons that are
toolbars shortcuts to the most useful commands.
Menus
Toolbars

1.1.3. About the Help menu / User guide
Introduction There are several ways to access the user guide information:
 the complete user guide
 the on-line help on an option
Method 1 To open the complete user’s guide in the Flux Supervisor from the …
Help menu: Help toolbar:
1. Click on the icon
1. Click on
Manual… OR
Method 2 To open the complete user’s guide in Flux2D from the Help menu:
1. Click on Contents
Method 3 To open the on-line help about an entity from its dialog box:
1. Click on the button

User guide The on-line version of the Flux user guide is presented in the figure below.
The corresponding sections of the Flux user’s guide can be opened by
clicking on the hyperlinks.

1.1.4. About the geometry context
Presentation There are three contexts in Flux2D:

Context Function
Geometry to build the geometry of the device
Mesh to mesh the computation domain
Physics* to define the materials, sources and to prepare the
regions
* The icon corresponding to the Physics context appears after the definition of the
physical application
Tools of the After having activated the geometry context, toolbars dedicated to the
geometry geometry description appear in the Flux2D window.
context
The different toolbars and their principal roles are briefly described below.
1 2 3 4 5
Geometry context toolbars Function

1 to create geometric entities
2 to propagate / extrude points, lines, etc.
3 to build faces
4 to compute geometric values
5 to check the geometry
6 to display point and line reference numbers

1.1.5. Name the project
Goal The new project, temporarily named ANONYMOUS, will be renamed and
saved.
Action To rename the project from the …

1. Click on Save or 1. Click on the icon
Save as…
OR
2. Type PROBE_2D
as project name
3. Click on Save
Note:
The user can choose another name for the project and change the current project
directory (working directory), displayed in the Save In field at the top.
A periodic data backup is recommended.


1.2. Strategy and tools for geometry description of the

probe
Introduction This section shows:

 the available tools for geometry building
 the analysis carried out for construction of the probe geometry and the
selected strategy
Topic See Page

Available geometric tools and analysis before geometry 28
description
Main stages for the probe geometry description 30
Reading advice This section presents an outline of the geometry building process of the
probe. Details on the different contents - definition of new concepts,
explanation on the use of different tools, etc.- are given in the following
sections.

1.2.1. Available geometric tools and analysis before geometry

description
Available tools The tools available for the geometric construction are: geometric parameters,
coordinate systems and transformations.
Geometric tool Function
geometric parameter to allow the dimensional parameter setting of parts
coordinate system to facilitate the relative positioning of parts
transformation to allow the construction by propagation or extrusion
Device analysis An analysis of the device is necessary to determine the strategy of

and choice of construction and the choice of construction tools.
construction
The analysis of the device and the construction tools chosen within the
tools
framework of this tutorial are summarized in the table below.
In order to… …it is planned to… …as show in the figure below
PROBE_CS
enter the create a PROBE_CS
coordinates of the Cartesian coordinate system
points specific to the probe
COIL_H MAG_R
COIL_IR
change dimensions create 5 parameters for COIL_OR
of the magnet and setting the magnet and the

the coil coil dimensions
MAG_H

Device analysis and choice of construction tools (continued)
In order to… …it is planned to… …as show in the figure below
 create a MAIN_CS
Cartesian coordinate
system
(the PROBE_CS PROBE_CS
locate the probe coordinate system will be ANGLE
in the final attached to this

project coordinate system) MAIN_CS
(anticipation)  create an ANGLE

parameter to define the
angular position of the
MAIN_CS coordinate
system
MIRROR
create a MIRROR
simplify the
transformation of the
geometry
affinity type to build
building
faces by propagation

1.2.2. Main stages for the probe geometry description
Outline An outline of the geometry building process is presented in the table below.
Stage Description
As the PROBE.FLU will be later imported in
De-activation of
1 Sensor_2D.FLU it is necessary to de-activate the
Aided mesh Aided mesh*
 Inner radius of the coil: COIL_IR = 2.8 mm
 Outer radius of the coil: COIL_OR = 3.5 mm
Creation of 6  Height of the coil: COIL_H = 16 mm
2 geometric  Radius of the magnet: MAG_R = 2.5 mm
parameters  Height of the magnet: MAG_H = 20 mm
 Angle for the probe angular position
in the final device: ANGLE = 0°
 Cartesian coordinate system: MAIN_CS
Creation of 2 (Global coordinate system for the probe positioning
3 coordinate in the final device)
systems  Cartesian coordinate system: PROBE_CS
(Local coordinate system for the probe description)
Creation of points and lines for

4
the probe base
Building faces for the probe

5
base
Creation of 1
6  Affine transformation for the probe: MIRROR
transformation
Building faces by propagation

7 (and preparation of the mesh
generator*)
* Explanation concerning this subject is presented in “

About mesh tools” on Linked Mesh Generator)

1.3. Creation of geometric tools
Introduction The geometry building begins by the creation of geometric tools to build the
probe geometry: geometric parameters and coordinate systems.
The parameters and coordinate systems required to describe the geometry of
the probe are presented in the figure below.
COIL_H MAG_R
COIL_IR
ANGLE COIL_OR
PROBE_CS
MAIN_CS
MAG_H
Topic See Page

Deactivate aided mesh 32
About creation an entity 33
About geometric parameters 35
Create the geometric parameters 36
About the undo command 38
About selection of graphic entities 39
About modification and deletion of an entity 41
About graphic view 44
Change the background color 46
About coordinate systems 47
Create the coordinate systems 49

1.3.1. Deactivate Aided mesh
Definition Aided mesh is a tool box that permits the user to quickly realize a good
quality mesh. The aided mesh (global adjustment) is activated by default on
all flux projects (See About Aided mesh).
Aided mesh Aided mesh assigns specific global tool on all entities of a new project. In
and imported order not to interfere during project import to the main project, it is needed to
Flux project de-activate aided mesh on project that will be imported later.
Action To deactivate the Aided mesh, from the Menu:
1. Edit the aided mesh box
2. Select “Inactivated” in the

State of aided mesh field

1.3.2. About creation of an entity
Definition of An entity is an object in the database of a Flux project.

entity It can be:
 a point, a line, a coordinate system, etc. in the Geometry context
 a mesh point, a mesh line, etc. in the Mesh context
 a line region, a volume region, etc. in the Physics context
Creating An outline of the creating process is presented in the table below. The
process different steps are detailed in the blocks describing the creation of project
entities.
Step Description
1 Activating the New command
2 Definition of entity attributes
Access the The access to the New command can be carried out:
“New”  from the Geometry menu bar (1)
command  using icons from the Geometry toolbar (2)
 from the data tree (3)
These three methods to access the New command are presented in the
following figure (with the example of creation of a geometric parameter) and
described in the table below.
Method Description
1 point on the entity-type and click on New
2 click on the corresponding icon
3 double-click on the entity-type or right click and click on New

Dialog box The interaction with the database is done using dialog boxes. The user can
enter information relating to the data in this box.
Entity-type:
Geometric parameter
Title bar
Name
Comment
Characteristics
On-line help
concerning the entity
The required fields (necessary and sufficient for the definition of the entity) are
marked by an asterisk *.

1.3.3. About geometric parameters
Principle of use Geometric parameters are entities that can be used for the geometry building
of the device, i.e. for the definition of points, coordinate systems, geometric
transformations, infinite box dimensions and other geometric entities.
Defining parameters simplifies the construction of the geometry and enables
modifications to be made more easily later. Many changes can be made by
modifying only the definition of the parameters instead of modifying all the
individual points, lines or nodes that might be built using the parameters.
Parameters also can modify the scale of the geometry through their
relationship with coordinate systems.
Definition of The geometric parameters are defined by the name and the algebraic
parameters expressions.
The algebraic expressions may contain:
 constants
 arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /, **)
 arithmetic functions allowed in FORTRAN (SQRT, LOG, SIN, etc.)*
 other parameters
 combinations of any of these
* Caution: ATAN2D is preferred over ATAN in order to have a better accuracy.
Parameters and Please note that parameters are independent of any unit of measurement. In
measurement other words, the numerical value entered for a parameter is not changed when
units the unit of measurement is changed. Any measurement unit associated with a
parameter derives from the coordinate system in which the parameter is used.
For example, a parameter's value may be 10 in a coordinate system with
millimeters as units. This parameter's value is still 10 whether the coordinate
system's units are changed to inches or meters or kilometers or any other
available unit. Thus, when you use parameters, you can also modify the scale
of a geometric feature without reentering each point or item.

1.3.4. Create the geometric parameters
Goal Six parameters, required to describe the geometry of the probe, are presented
in the figure below.
COIL base
COIL_H MAG_R
COIL_IR
COIL_OR
ANGLE
MAGNET base
MAG_H
Data The table below contains the values of the geometric parameters.
Geometric parameters
Name Comment Expression
COIL_IR Inner radius of the coil 2.8
COIL_OR Outer radius of the coil 3.5
COIL_H Height of the coil 16
ANGLE Angle of the probe position 0
MAG_R Radius of the magnet 2.5
MAG_H Height of the magnet 20

Action To create the geometric parameters from the …

Data tree: Geometry toolbar:
1. Double-click 1. Click on the icon
on Geometric parameter
OR
2. Type COIL_IR as name
3. Type Inner radius of the coil as

comment
4. Type 2.8 as algebraic expression for
the parameter
5. Click on OK
6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 in the new dialog,

… entering data for the remaining entities.
(see the table on the previous page)
7. Click on Cancel to quit the sequence
Result The geometric parameters are listed in the data tree:
Notice too, that as you move your cursor over the parameter names, the comments
are displayed to help you to identify the parameters.

1.3.5. About the undo command
Undo command There is a Flux command to undo operations. The user can use this command
if an error was made.
There are two possibilities described in the table below.
Method Function
1 to undo the previous operation to undo the last action
2 to undo several operations to undo all actions up to the indicated
action
Method 1 To undo the previous operation from the Tools toolbar:
Method 2 To undo several operations from the …

Tools menu: Tools toolbar:
1. Click on Undo 1. Click on the icon
OR
2. Click on the last operation to undo

1.3.6. About selection of graphic entities
Overview of Selection of entities can be done with the following selection modes:
selection modes  graphic selection (with the mouse)
- in the data tree for all entities
- in the graphic scene for graphic entities
 identifier selection (by name / by number)
 advanced selection (by criterion / by choice)
Graphic An outline of the selection process for graphic entities is presented in the
selection table below. The different steps are detailed in the blocks describing the
process creation of project entities.
Step Description
1 Activating of the selection filter
2 Selection of the entity in the graphic scene
Selection filter A selection filter makes possible to identify the selectable entity-type.
For the graphic entities, the selection filter can be activated by the
commands from the Selection menu or from the Selection toolbar.
Selection menu/ The choices in the Selection menu or in the Selection toolbar relate to the
toolbar graphic entities; they are presented in the figure and described in the table
below.
No Select
selection points / lines / faces / volumes
Free Select
selection face regions / volume regions
Choice Description
No selection nothing selectable
all is selectable
Free selection The first entity, selected by the user, determines the
entity-type selectable
Select points the points are selectable
… …

Step 1: The activating of the selection filter can be carried out:

activating of  from the Select menu (1)
the selection  using icons from the Select toolbar (2)
filter
These two methods to activate the selection filter are presented in the
following figure and described in the table below.
Step 2: Click on the specific graphic entity to select the entity in the graphic scene.
selection in the The selected entity is highlighted.
graphic scene

1.3.7. About modification and deletion of an entity
Modification / An outline of the modification / deletion process is presented in the table

deletion process below.
Step Description
1 Activating the command (Edit, Edit array, Delete, Force delete)
and selection of entities
2 Modification of the entity characteristics /
Validation of the entity deletion
Access the For the commands Edit / Edit array / Delete / Force delete, which require
commands data selection, the access to the command, can be carried out:
 from the menu
- activation of the command and then selection via a selection box (1)
 from the data tree:
- activation of the command and then selection via a selection box (2)
- direct selection of an entity and then activation of the command (2’)
 from the graphic scene (only for graphic entities)
These methods to access the command are presented in the following figure
(with the example of editing the ANGLE geometric parameter) and described
in the table below.
Selection
1 via
a selection box
Selection
2 via
a selection box
2’
Method Description
1 point on the entity-type and click on the command
select entities via a Selection box
2 right click on the entity-type and click on the command
select entities via a Selection box
2’ double-click on the entity
or right click on the entity and click on the command
3 right click on the graphic entity* and click on the command
* The corresponding selection filter must be first activated.

Edition mode To check the data, the user needs to edit (and modify if necessary) the entities
created.
There are two modes of edition:
 the edition in a dialog box is used to check and to modify the
characteristics of one entity
Entity-type
Entity
Name
Comment
Type (1)
Type (2)
Characteristics
On-line help
concerning the entity
 the edition in a data array is used to check and to modify the

characteristics of a group of entities
Structure Entity-type Entities:

(Database) [CORE], [MAIN]
Name
Comment
Type (2)
Characteristics
Type (1)
Information Information Information

relating to the relating to the relating to the
group of entities entity [CORE] entity [MAIN]

Deletion mode The user sometimes needs to delete entities. He can easily delete an entity if it
is an independent entity. However, very often, the entity is connected to other
entities and the deletion of the entity can cause the deletion of all the
connected entities.
There are thus two modes of deletion:
 the simple deletion:
is carried out on independent entities (non connected with other entities)
 the in force deletion :
is carried out on any entity.
These two modes are described in the table below:
Mode Destroyable entity What is destroyed
simple independent selected entity
in force any selected entity + entities connected to it

1.3.8. About graphic view
Introduction When referring to the graphic representation of a device, we are interested in:
 the different entities and their appearance: points and their visibility, lines
and their color, faces, surface elements, etc.
 the type of displayed view: side view, top view, bottom view, global view,
etc. and its position and dimensions in the graphic display zone.
How to modify There are three methods to modify the view in the graphic scene. The
a view modifications can be made:
 from the View menu (1)
 using icons from the View toolbar (2)
 using the mouse (3)
3

Using the View Flux2D offers modes to modify the view using commands from the View
menu / icons menu or icons from the View toolbar. They are described in the table below.
Command Icon Mode Mode activation
Zoom all To set total view click on the command / icon
Zoom out - To reduce the view click on the command
Zoom in + To enlarge the view click on the command
To enlarge a part of click on the command / icon
Zoom
view and select the rectangular zone
region
to enlarge using the mouse
4 views To set unset the 4 click on the command / icon
mode views mode
To display or not the click on the command / icon
Full device
full device
Using the Flux2D offers modes to modify the view using the mouse, described in the
mouse table below. User can determine the active mode by the different cursors.
Mode Mode activation Cursor

Displacement click on the view with the right
(to translate the view) button of the mouse and drag the
view to the new location, keeping
the right button pressed
Dimension click on the graphic scene with the
(to resize the view) left button of the mouse and resize
the view with the scrolling wheel
of your mouse
Predefined It is possible to choose one view from predefined views available in Flux.
views
The different commands to set predefined views and their corresponding
icons are presented in the table below.
View command Icon Description

Standard view Flux2D predefined view (default one)
Background It is possible to swap the background color from black to white and vise versa
color by using the Reverse video command.

1.3.9. Change the background color
Goal To better visualize the geometry, the background color will be changed.
Action To change the background color from the View menu:
1. Click on
Reverse video

1.3.10. About coordinate systems
Introduction All geometric features are defined within a specific coordinate system.
Defining our own coordinate systems enables us to describe and modify the
geometry much more easily.
Types of The different types of coordinate systems for 2D domain and associated
coordinate coordinates are presented below.
systems
Cartesian coordinate system Cylindrical coordinate system

Coordinates (x, y) Coordinates (r, )
p
p
y
r 
Reference It is possible to distinguish the following coordinate systems:

coordinate  The global coordinate system is the coordinate system where all
systems computations are performed. It is inaccessible to the user. The global
coordinate system is a universal Cartesian coordinate system using meters
as the length unit and degrees as the angle unit.
 The working coordinate systems are coordinate systems created by the
user to cover the study needs.
The working coordinate systems are defined:
- with respect to the Global coordinate system, when they refer to the
global coordinate system
- with respect to a Local coordinate system, when they refer to other
coordinate systems.
All entities are defined in the working coordinate systems (user coordinate
systems) and are evaluated in the global coordinate system for calculations.
Coordinate The user can define the length and angle units for a coordinate system defined
system units with respect to the global coordinate system (millimeter and degree by
default).
A coordinate system defined with respect to the local coordinate system
inherits the units of the reference coordinate system (parent coordinate
system).

Predefined To assist the user, Flux provides a default coordinate system XY1. It is
coordinate created for every new project. It is possible to rename it, to modify it or to
system delete it.
XY1 is the coordinate system of Cartesian type and defined with respect to
the global coordinate system.
Coordinate system XY1 Characteristics
Y Origin of coordinate system:
 first component: 0
 second component: 0
Rotation angle:
y
 about Z axis: 0
X
x

1.3.11. Create the coordinate systems
Goal Two coordinate systems, required to describe the geometry of the probe, are
presented in the figure below.
PROBE_CS
MAIN_CS
32 mm
Data The tables below describe the coordinate systems.

Cartesian coordinate system type defined with respect to the Global system
Origin Rotation
Name Comment Units coord. angle
X Y About Z
Main coordinate millimeter/
MAIN_CS 0 0 ANGLE
system degree
Cartesian coordinate system type defined with respect to the Local system
Parent Origin Rotation
Name Comment coord. coord. angle
system X Y About Z
Probe coordinate
PROBE_CS MAIN_CS 32 0 0
system

Action To create the coordinate systems from the …

on Coordinate system
OR
2. Type MAIN_CS as name of

coordinate system
3. Type Main coordinate system
as associated comment
4. Select Cartesian as type of
coordinate system
5. Select Global as definition of
coordinate system
6. Select MILLIMETER as length
unit
7. Select DEGREE as angle unit
8. Type 0 as first coordinate

9. Type 0 as second coordinate
10. Type ANGLE as rotation angle

about Z axis
11. Click on OK

12. Type PROBE_CS as name of

coordinate system
13. Type Probe coordinate system
as comment
14. Select Cartesian as type
15. Select Local as definition of

coordinate system
16. Select MAIN_CS as parent
coordinate system

19. Type 0 as rotation angle about Z

axis
20. Click on OK
Result The two new coordinate systems are …

listed in the data tree: displayed in the graphic scene*:
MAIN_CS PROBE_CS
* use the Zoom all command or (see § About graphic view).

1.4. Creation of points and lines for the probe base
Introduction The next step of the geometry description is the creation of points and lines to
build the probe.
The next figure describes the geometry of the probe.
COIL_H
MAG_R
COIL_IR
COIL_OR
MAG_H
Topic See Page

About points 53
Create points for the probe base 54
About display of entities in the graphic scene 56
About lines 57
Create lines for the probe base 58

1.4.1. About points
Points A point can be created:

 as a set of coordinates in a specified coordinate system
 as an image of an existing point through a geometric transformation
 within the propagation or extrusion from other entities
Point A point could be defined by its coordinates in a coordinate system (see §

coordinates About coordinate systems).
Point defined A point could be defined by propagation from another point using a
by propagation transformation.
created point
translation
origin point
Point number The number to identify the point is automatically allocated by Flux during the
point creation.

1.4.2. Create points for the probe base
Goal Eight points are required to build the probe base, as presented in the figure
below.
COIL_H
MAG_R
Point 6 Point 7 COIL_IR
Point 5 Point 8 COIL_OR
Point 2 Point 3
PROBE_CS
Point 1 Point 4
MAG_H
Data The table below describes the points for the probe base.
Points defined by its parametric coordinates
Coordinate Coordinates
No
system X Y
1 -MAG_H/2 0
2 -MAG_H/2 MAG_R
3 MAG_H/2 MAG_R
4 MAG_H/2 0
PROBE_CS
5 -COIL_H/2 COIL_IR
6 -COIL_H/2 COIL_OR
7 COIL_H/2 COIL_OR
8 COIL_H/2 COIL_IR

Action To create the points from the …

1. Double-click on Point 1. Click on the icon
OR
2. In the Geometric Definition tab

select Point defined by its
parametric coordinates as type
of point
3. Select PROBE_CS as
coordinate system
4. Type -MAG_H/2 as first
coordinate
6. Click on OK

… entering data for the remaining
entities
Result The points are …

listed in the data tree: displayed in the graphic scene:

1.4.3. About display of entities in the graphic scene
Introduction The graphic representation of objects is not the same during the different
steps of building the device model.
From one step to the next, we are interested in:
 representation of points and lines during geometry building
 representation of nodes and surface elements during mesh generation
Possibilities to To control the graphic representation, Flux provides default settings, but the
modify the user can also modify this representation.
visualization
To do so, the following commands are available:
 the Display commands, which manages the list of entities to display,
 the Edit command, which allows the modification of the entity appearance
(characteristics of visibility and color)
How to display There are two methods to display entities in the graphic scene. The
entities modifications can be made:
 from the Display menu (1)
 using icons from the Display toolbar (2)

1.4.4. About lines
Lines Lines can be created:

 manually (choice of line type – segment or arc - and entering extremity
points)
 by propagation from existing lines using a transformation
 by extrusion from existing points using a transformation
 within the propagation or extrusion from other entities
Segments Segments are defined by starting and ending points. It does not matter if you
swap the starting and ending points.
Circle arcs Circle arcs can be defined in different ways:

 either in a coordinate system:
The arc is included in a plane parallel to the XOY plane. It is counter-
clockwise oriented around an axis parallel to the OZ axis.
ending point
radius
center
point angle
starting point
 or by three points:
The arc is drawn around a triangle defined by three points. It is oriented in
the direction imposed by three points.
middle point
ending point
starting point
Number The number to identify the line is automatically allocated by Flux during the
line creation.

1.4.5. Create lines for the probe base
Goal Eight straight segments are required to connect each point and create closed
outlines of the magnet and coil bases.
The order to create the lines is presented in the figure below.
COIL base
Line 6
Line 5 Line 7
Line 8
Line 2
Line 1 Line 3
Line 4
MAGNET base
Data The table below describes the lines for the probe base.
Segment defined by starting and ending points
No Starting point Ending point
1 1 2
2 2 3
3 3 4
4 4 1
5 5 6
6 6 7
7 7 8
8 8 5

Action To create the lines from the …

1. Double-click on Line 1. Click on the icon
OR

select Segment defined by starting
and ending points as type of the line
3. Click on Point 1 in the graphic scene

=> its reference number enters as
starting point
ending point
5. Repeat steps 3 to 4 in the new

… reduced dialog, entering data for the
remaining entities
Result The lines are …



1.5. Building faces for the probe
Introduction The next step of the geometry description is building faces for the probe.
The probe geometry is presented in the figure below.
Topic See Page

About automatic construction 62
Build faces of the probe base 63
About transformations 64
Create the geometric transformation 66
About propagation and extrusion 68
About selection by criterion 69
Propagate faces 70
Save and close the project 73

1.5.1. About automatic construction
Introduction The faces are automatically created and identified using the algorithms of
automatic construction.
Principle: The principle of automatic face construction:

overview  First, Flux computes all the existing surfaces and determines which surfaces
the points and the lines belong to. (In Flux; a surface is defined by two lines
connected to a shared point.)*
 Next, the automatic face construction is carried out by a method of
identification of closed contours. (In Flux, a face is defined by his contour
and from one surface.)
About faces The faces created by Flux using the automatic construction algorithms are
faces contained by planar, cylindrical or conical surfaces. These faces are
named automatic faces.
* In Flux2D, there is only one surface which is the 2D plane.

1.5.2. Build faces of the probe base
Goal The faces will be automatically built by Flux2D.
Action To build faces from the …

Geometry menu: Geometry toolbar:
1. Point on Build and click on Build faces 1. Click on the icon
OR
Result The faces are …


1.5.3. About transformations
Principle of use Transformations are geometric functions that allow the creation of new
objects from existing objects.
Various The various available functions are:

functions  translation
 rotation
 affinity
 helix
 composed
Note: Only the transformation functions used in this tutorial are described here.
Refer to the User’s guide for more information about transformations.
Rotation A rotation is defined by a rotation axis and an angle.

The figure below describes the creation of a new point using the rotation
transformation defined by an angle and a pivot point (its coordinates or
reference number)
created  rotation axis is defined by:
point - a working coordinate system
- and a pivot point
rotation
angle  rotation angle is defined about Z
pivot
point
axis
y original
point
x
Note: The positive value of an angle corresponds to a counter-clockwise rotation

Affinity Affinity is defined with respect to a point or to a straight line.

The result of this transformation application depends on the affinity ratio, as
presented in the table below.
Ratio Result
k = -1 symmetry
k=1 identity
k=0 projection
k >1 increasing (increasing affinity)
0< k < 1 reducing (reducing affinity)
k < -1 increasing (increasing negative affinity)
-1< k < 0 reducing (reducing negative affinity)
The examples below describe the creation of new lines using two different
affinity transformations:
 Affine transformation with respect to a point
(-1)
(-0.5)
center point
(0)
of the affinity
(0.5)
y
(1)
original line
x
Caution: Applying an affinity transformation with respect to a point with the scaling
factor equal 0 causes an error, because the line is degenerated and reduced to a point.
 Affine transformation with respect to a line defined by two points
(-1)
(-0.5)
affinity line
(0)
y (1)
original line
x

1.5.4. Create the geometric transformation
Goal An affine transformation with respect to a line defined by 2 points is

required to build the probe geometry.
The points, defined the symmetry line of the transformation, are shown in the
following figure:
Symmetry line
Point 1 Point 4
Data The characteristics of the transformation are shown in the following table:
Affine transformation with respect to a line defined by 2 points
Name Comment 1st point 2nd point Scaling factor
Symmetry
MIRROR transformation for the 1 4 -1
probe

Action To create the transformation from the …

on Transformation
OR
2. Type MIRROR as name

3. Type Symmetry transformation
for the probe as comment
4. Select Affine transformation with
respect to a line defined by 2
points as type
5. Type 1 as first point of straight line
6. Type 4 as second point of straight
line
7. Type -1 as scaling factor

8. Click on OK
9. Click on Cancel to quit the

sequence
Result The transformation is listed in the data tree:

1.5.5. About propagation and extrusion
Definition The construction by propagation / extrusion is a building method that

constructs new geometric entities, based on existing entities, by using a
geometric transformation like translation, rotation, etc.
We deal with:
 propagation, when the image object, generated by transformation, is not
connected by lines to the source object
 extrusion, when the image object, generated by transformation, is
connected by lines to the source object
Examples In the figures below, the line is built by propagation / extrusion of the existing
line (source) using a translation vector.
Construction by propagation: Construction by extrusion:
image line image line
translation
translation connection
elements
source line
source line
Building Some building options are provided in order to simplify the user’s work and
options to carry out a certain number of repetitive tasks semi-automatically.
The building options for construction by propagation, classified in three
categories, are presented in the table below.
The options … allow …
for geometric  to define the geometric entities (points, lines, faces)
building created during the propagation
 to create the linked mesh generator associated to the
for mesh transformation
preparation  to assign the linked mesh generator to the entities
created by transformation
 to create surface regions
for preparation
of regions  to assign the created regions to the geometric entities
The building options for construction by extrusion, classified in two
categories, are presented in the table below.
The options … allow …
 to define the form of connection elements
for geometric
building  to define the geometric entities (points, lines, faces)
created during the extrusion
 to create the extrusion mesh generator associated to the
for mesh transformation
preparation  to assign the extrusion mesh generator to the entities

1.5.6. About selection by criterion
Definition / use One speaks about selection by criterion when the selection is carried out by
the intermediary of the existing relations between the various entities (points
belonging to a line, ...) or characteristics, common to several entities (faces
with the same color, faces on the same surface, ...).
Operation The selection by criterion is available on the level of selection boxes and is
mode carried out in two stages as presented in the table below.
Stage Description
1 From a selection box:
 opening the criteria list (with the button )
 and selection of a criterion
2 From a specific (with logical operators) selection box:
 selection of entities (graphic selection, by identifier or criterion)
 with applying selection operators to the group of entities
Selection The selection criteria are presented in the tables below.

criteria
General criteria
The option … allows …
Select all selection of all entities
Clean selection unselection of all the entities previously selected
Select last instance selection of the last selected entity
Selection by
selection of the nearest entity to the entered coordinates
coordinates
Specific criteria (implying the use of the operators)
The selection by … allows the selection of all the entities …
line / face / volume belonging to a line / face / volume
surface belonging to a surface (defined by a face)
linear / face / volume region belonging to a linear / face / volume region
mechanical set belonging to a mechanical set
color defined by a color
visibility defined by a visibility (visible or invisible)
nature defined by a nature (standard, in air, no exist)
discretization defined by a discretization (point or line)
Selection To manage the logical operations on the groups of the selected entities, the
operators user disposes the selection operators introduced in the table below.
Operator Function
Exclude to remove entities from the list
Union to add entities in the list
Intersect to carry out the intersection of two groups of selection

1.5.7. Propagate faces
Goal The MIRROR transformation will be applied once to propagate two faces, as
shown in the following figure.
Face 2
Face 1

Action To propagate the face from the …

1. Point on Propagate 1. Click on the icon
and click on Propagate faces
OR
2. Click on
3. Click on Select all
=> face reference numbers enter
4. Select MIRROR as transformation

5. Type 1 as number of times to apply
the transformation
6. Select Add Faces, Lines and
Points as building options for
propagation
7. Click on OK

Result The faces are …


1.5.8. Save and close the project
Goal The current project will be saved and closed.
Action To save and close the PROBE_2D.FLU project from the …

1. Click on Close 1. Click on the icon
OR
2. Click on Yes


2. Geometric description of the wheel base object
Introduction This chapter presents the general steps of the geometry construction and the
data required to describe the wheel base geometry.
The wheel base object is presented in the figure below.
TOOTH
Topic See Page

Create a Flux project for the wheel base 77
Strategy and tools for geometry description of the wheel base 79
object
Creation of geometric tools 83
Creation of points and lines for the wheel base 89
Building the face for the wheel base 95
Creation of the transformation 97


2.1. Create a Flux project for the wheel base
Topic See Page

Create and name a new project for the wheel base 78

2.1.1. Create and name a new project for the wheel base
Goal At the beginning of the model description a new project will be created. The
new project will be renamed and saved.
Action 1 To create a new project from the …

OR
Result 1 A new project named ANONYMOUS opens in the Geometry context by

default. The Geometry context icon is depressed, as shown in the following
figure.
Action 2 To rename the project from the …

Save as…
OR
2. Type WHEEL_BASE_2D
as project name
3. Click on Save

2.2. Strategy and tools for geometry description of the

wheel base object

 the available tools for geometry building
 the analysis carried out for construction of the wheel geometry and the
selected strategy
Topic See Page

description
Main stages for the wheel base geometric description 82


description
Available tools The tools available for geometric construction are: geometric parameters,
coordinate systems and transformations.
Device analysis An analysis of the device is necessary to determine the strategy of

and choice of construction and the choice of construction tools.
construction
The analysis of the device and the construction tools chosen within the
tools
The operations … it is planned …
to create a WHEEL_CS
WHEEL_CS
to easily enter the cylindrical coordinate
coordinates of the system specific to the
points wheel base
(elementary pattern) (to anchor the wheel
center)
TOOTH_OR
TOOTH_IR
to easily change
to create 4 parameters to
dimensions of the
set dimensions of the BETA
wheel
wheel elementary pattern
(elementary pattern) WHEEL_R
to create an ALPHA
to position the wheel in parameter to define the ALPHA
the final project angular position of the
(anticipation) WHEEL_CS coordinate
system

Device analysis and choice of construction tools (continued)

ROTZ_WHEEL
to create a TOOTH_N
parameter to define the
number of teeth
to simplify the
geometry building to create a ROTZ_WHEEL
transformation of the
rotation type to build the
wheel base by propagation

2.2.2. Main stages for the wheel base geometric description
Outline An outline of the geometry description process to build the wheel base
geometry is presented in the table below.
Caution: the geometric tools will be prepared for building the whole wheel,
but we will build only the elementary pattern. The construction of the whole
wheel will be carried out with the sensor construction!!!
Stage Description
As the WHEEL_BASE.FLU will be later imported in
De-activation of
1 Sensor_2D.FLU it is necessary to de-activate the
Aided mesh Aided mesh*
 Tooth inner radius: TOOTH_IR = 12.5 mm
 Tooth outer radius: TOOTH_OR = 21.5 mm
Creation of 6  Number of teeth: TOOTH_N = 3
2 geometric  Tooth angle: BETA =15°
parameters  Wheel radius: WHEEL_R = 10 mm
 Angle for the wheel angular position
in the final device: ALPHA = 0°
Creation of 1  Cylindrical coordinate system: WHEEL_CS
3 coordinate (global coordinate system for the wheel description
system and positioning in the final device)
Creation of points and lines for

4
the wheel base
Building the face for the wheel

5
base
 Rotation transformation for the

6 Creation of 1 transformation
wheel base: ROTZ_WHEEL
The next stages of building the whole wheel by propagation /
7
extrusion will be carried out in the final project (SENSOR_2D.FLU)
* Explanation concerning this subject is presented in § About Aided mesh.

2.3. Creation of geometric tools
Introduction The geometry building begins by the creation of geometric tools: geometric
parameters and a coordinate system.
TOOTH_OR
TOOTH_IR
WHEEL_CS
BETA
ALPHA WHEEL_R
Topic See Page

Deactivate aided mesh 84
Create the geometric parameters 85
Create the coordinate system 87

2.3.1. Deactivate aided mesh
Definition Aided mesh is a tool box that permits the user to quickly realize a good
quality mesh. The aided mesh (global adjustment) is activated by default on
all flux projects.
Aided mesh Aided mesh assigns specific global tool on all entities of a new project. In
and imported order not to interfere during project import to the main project, it is needed to
Flux project de-activate aided mesh on project that will be imported later.
Action To deactivate the Aided mesh, from the Menu:
1. Edit the aided mesh box
2. Select “Inactivated” in the

State of aided mesh field

2.3.2. Create the geometric parameters
About geom. See § 1.3.3 About geometric parameters.

parameters
Goal Six parameters are required for the geometry description of the wheel.
The parameters, required to build the wheel base object, are presented in the
next figure.
TOOTH_OR
TOOTH_IR
BETA
ALPHA WHEEL_R
Data The table below contains the values of the geometric parameters.
Geometric parameters
Name Comment Expression
TOOTH_IR Inner radius of the tooth 12.5
TOOTH_OR Outer radius of the tooth 21.5
TOOTH_N Number of teeth 3
WHEEL_R Radius of the wheel 10
ALPHA Wheel angle 0
BETA Tooth angle 15

Action To create the geometric parameters from the …

on Geometric parameter
OR
2. Type TOOTH_IR as name
3. Type Inner radius of the tooth as

comment
4. Type 12.5 as algebraic expression
for the parameter
5. Click on OK

… entering data for the remaining entities.
Result The geometric parameters are listed in the data tree:

2.3.3. Create the coordinate system
About See § 1.3.10 About coordinate systems.

coord.inate
systems
Goal A cylindrical coordinate system is required to describe the geometry of the

wheel, as presented in the figure below.
WHEEL_CS
Data The table below describes the coordinate system:

Cylindrical coordinate system type defined with respect to the Global system
Rotation
Origin coord.
Name Comment Units angle
X Y About Z
Wheel coordinate millimete
WHEEL_CS 0 0 ALPHA
system r/ degree

Action To create the coordinate system from the …

on Coordinate system
OR
2. Type WHEEL_CS as name of

coordinate system
3. Type Wheel coordinate system
as associated comment
4. Select Cylindrical as type of
coordinate system
5. Select Global as definition of
coordinate system
6. Select MILLIMETER as length
unit
7. Select DEGREE as angle unit
10. Type ALPHA as rotation angle

about Z axis
11. Click on OK
Result The coordinate system is listed in the data tree:

2.4. Creation of points and lines for the wheel base
Introduction The next step is the creation of points and lines for the wheel base object.
The next figure describes the geometry of the wheel base object.
TOOTH_OR
TOOTH_IR
BETA
WHEEL_R
Topic See Page

Create the points for the wheel base 90
Create the lines for the wheel base 92

2.4.1. Create the points for the wheel base
About points See § 1.4.1 About points.
Goal Six points are required to build the wheel base outline, as presented in the
figure below.
TOOTH_OR
Point 5
TOOTH_IR
Point 3
BETA
Point 2
Point 1
WHEEL_R
Point 4
Point 6
Data The table below describes the points for the wheel base.
Points defined by its parametric coordinates
Coordinate Coordinates*
No
system R
1 0 0
2 WHEEL_R 0
3 TOOTH_IR BETA
WHEEL_CS
4 TOOTH_IR -BETA
5 TOOTH_OR BETA
6 TOOTH_OR -BETA
* Coordinates in cylindrical coordinate system: R,  (see § 1.3.10 About coordinate

systems).

Action To create the points from the …

1. Double-click on Point 1. Click on the icon
OR

select Point defined by its
parametric coordinates as type
of point
3. Select WHEEL_CS as
coordinate system

6. Click on OK

… entering data for the remaining
entities
Result The points are …

listed in the data tree: displayed in the graphic scene*:
* use the Zoom all command or to visualize all points

2.4.2. Create the lines for the wheel base
About lines See § 1.4.4 About lines.
Goal Three straight segments and two arcs are required to construct the wheel base
outline.
The order to create the lines is presented in the figure below.
Line 2
Line 1
Line 4 Line 5
Line 3
Note:
It does not matter which are the starting and ending points of the straight segments.
The arc is counter-clockwise oriented, so it is not possible to swap the starting and
ending points during the creation of the arcs.
Data The tables below describe the lines for the wheel base:
Segment defined by starting and ending points
No Starting point Ending point
1 1 2
2 3 5
3 4 6
Arc defined by its radius, starting and ending points

No Coordinate system Radius Starting Ending
point point
4 TOOTH_IR 4 3
WHEEL_CS
5 TOOTH_OR 6 5

Action 1 To create the straight lines from the …

OR

select Segment defined by starting
and ending points as type of the line

starting point
ending point
5. Repeat steps 3 to 4 in the new reduced

… dialog to create the remaining segments
Result The lines are displayed in the graphic scene:

Action 2 To create the arcs from the …

OR

select Arc defined by its radius,
starting and ending points as type
of the line
3. Select WHEEL_CS as coordinate
system
4. Type TOOTH_IR as arc radius

starting point
ending point
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 in the new dialog

… to create the second arc (see the table
on page before the previous page)
Result The lines are …


2.5. Building the face for the wheel base
Introduction The next step is building the face for the wheel base object.
Topic See Page

Build the face 96

2.5.1. Build the face
Goal The face will be automatically built by Flux2D.
Action To build the face from the …

OR
Result The face is …


2.6. Creation of the transformation
Introduction The whole wheel will be built by means of a transformation. The last step is
the creation of this transformation.
Topic See Page

Create the transformation 98

2.6.1. Create the transformation
About See § 1.5.3 About transformations.

transforma-
tions
Goal One rotation transformation is required to build the wheel geometry, as

shown in the following figure.
360/TOOTH_N
Point 1
Data The characteristics of the transformation are shown in the following table:
Rotation defined by angles and existing pivot point

Coord. Pivot Rotation
Name Comment
system point about Z axis
Rotation
ROTZ_WHEE WHEEL_C 360/TOOTH_
transformation for 1
L S N
the wheel

Action To create the transformations from the …

on Transformation
OR
2. Type ROTZ_WHEEL as name

3. Type Rotation transformation
for the wheel as comment
4. Select Rotation defined by
angles and existing pivot point
as type
5. Select WHEEL_CS as
coordinate system
6. Select point 1 in the list or in the
graphic scene as pivot point
7. Type 360/TOOTH_N as
rotation angle about Z axis
8. Click on OK
9. Click on Cancel to quit the

sequence
Result The transformation is listed in the data tree:


2.6.2. Save and close the project
Goal The current project will be saved and closed.
Action To save and close the project WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU from the …

1. Click on Close 1. Click on the icon
OR
2. Click on Yes


3. Geometric description of the sensor
Introduction This chapter presents the general steps of geometry construction and the data
required to describe the sensor geometry.
The sensor is presented in the figure below.
INFINITE BOX
WHEEL
PROBE 1
PROBE 2
Topic See Page

Create a Flux project for the sensor 105
Strategy and tools for geometric description of the sensor 107
Importation of the wheel base object and building the whole 111
wheel
Importation of the probe objects and positioning of the wheel 125
and probes
Completing the domain 131


3.1. Create a Flux project for the sensor
Topic See Page

Create and name a new project for the sensor 106

3.1.1. Create and name a new project for the sensor
Goal At the beginning of the model description a new project will be created. The
new project will be renamed and saved.
Action 1 To create a new project from the …

OR
Result 1 A new project named ANONYMOUS opens in the Geometry context by

default.
Action 2 To rename and save the project from the …

Save as…
OR
2. Type SENSOR_2D
as project name
3. Click on Save
* Caution: Probe_2D.FLU and Wheel_base_2D.Flu must be in the same directory

than Sensor_2D.

3.2. Strategy and tools for geometric description of the

sensor

 the tools of objects management available in Flux (Flux object importation)
 the selected strategy for the geometry building of the sensor
Topic See Page

description
Main stages for geometric description 109
Reading advice This section presents an outline of the sensor geometry building process.
Details on the different contents - definition of new concepts, explanation on
the use of different tools, etc.- are given in the following sections.


description
Strategy: The main principle of geometric construction adopted in this tutorial is the
reminder following:
 description of elementary parts of the structure (Flux objects) in
independent Flux projects: probe, base wheel
 construction of the whole sensor in a new Flux project by using of existing
Flux objects
Device analysis The analysis of the device and the construction tools chosen within the
The operations it is planned …
…
to use the
ROTZ_WHEEL
to easily build the transformation of
wheel base rotation type to build
geometry the wheel by means of
propagation/extrusion
construction
ALPHA
ANGLE
to use the ALPHA and

to position the
ANGLE parameters to
wheel and the
rotate the wheel and
probe
the probe

3.2.2. Main stages for geometric description
Outline An outline of the geometry description process to build the sensor geometry
is presented in the table below.
Stage Description
1 Importation of the elementary pattern (WHEEL_BASE_3D)
2 Building the whole wheel (see details in § 3.3.2 Geometry building process of the wheel)
3 Importation of a probe object (PROBE_3D)
4 Rotation of the probe and rotation of the cogged wheel
5 Importation of a probe object (PROBE_3D)
6 Addition of an Infinite Box


3.3. Importation of the wheel base object and building the

whole wheel
Introduction The geometry description of the sensor begins by the importation of the wheel
base object and building the whole wheel.
The wheel base object and the whole wheel are presented below.
Wheel base Wheel
Topic See Page

Import the wheel base object 112
Geometry building process of the wheel 113
Propagate the face (tooth) 114
Extrude the line 117
Create an arc 119
Propagate the arc 121
Build faces 123

3.3.1. Import the wheel base object
Goal The wheel base object will be imported into the current project.
Action To import the wheel base object from the Project menu:
1. Point on Import
and click on Import FLUX object
2. Click on
3. Select
WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU
4. Click on Open
5. Click on OK
Result The wheel base object is displayed in the graphic scene.

3.3.2. Geometry building process of the wheel
Process The main steps of the geometry description process to build the whole wheel
are presented in the table below.
Step Action
1 Propagate the face
(tooth)
(and preparation of
the mesh
generator*)
2 Extrude the line
3 Create an arc
4 Propagate the arc
5 Build faces
* Refer to section “
About mesh tools” on Linked Mesh Generator

3.3.3. Propagate the face (tooth)
About See § 1.5.5 About propagation and extrusion.

propagation /
extrusion
Goal The ROTZ_WHEEL transformation will be applied twice to propagate the

face (tooth), as presented in the figure below.
Face 1

Action To propagate the face from the …

and click on Propagate faces
OR
2. Select the face in the graphic scene:

click on Face 1
=> its reference number enters
3. Select ROTZ_WHEEL as
transformation
the transformation
5. Select Add Faces, Lines and Points
as building options for propagation
6. Click on OK

Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic scene*.
* use the Zoom all command or .

3.3.4. Extrude the line

propagation /
extrusion
Goal The ROTZ_WHEEL transformation will be applied three times to extrude

the line, as presented in the figure below.
Line 1

Action To extrude the line from the …

1. Point on Extrude and click on Extrude lines 1. Click on the icon
OR
2. Select the line in the graphic scene:

click on Line 1
=> line reference number enters
3. Select ROTZ_WHEEL as
transformation
the transformation
5. Select Standard as type
6. Select Add Faces, Lines and Points
as building options for extrusion
7. Click on OK
Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic scene.

3.3.5. Create an arc
About lines See § 1.4.4 About lines.
Goal One arc is required to connect points 3 and 10 to complete the wheel
geometry, as presented in the figure below.
Point 10
Point 3
Data The table below describes the characteristics of the line to create for the
wheel.
Arc defined by its radius, starting and ending points
No Coordinate system Radius Starting point Ending point
19 WHEEL_CS TOOTH_IR 3 10

Action To create the line from the …

OR

select Arc defined by its radius,
starting and ending points as type
of the line
3. Select WHEEL_CS as coordinate
system
4. Type TOOTH_IR as arc radius

starting point
6. Click on Point 10 in the graphic
scene
ending point

3.3.6. Propagate the arc

propagation /
extrusion
Goal The ROTZ_WHEEL transformation will be applied twice to propagate the

line, as presented in the figure below.
Line 19

Action To propagate the line from the …

and click on Propagate lines
OR
2. Select the line in the graphic scene:

click on Line 19
3. Select ROTZ_WHEEL as transformation

4. Type 2 as number of times to apply the
transformation
5. Click on OK

3.3.7. Build faces

OR
Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic scene:


3.4. Importation of the probe objects and positioning of the

wheel and probes
Introduction The next stages of geometry building are:

 the importation of the first probe object,
 the positioning of the wheel and the first probe by modifying the geometric
parameters
 the importation of the second probe object
Topic See Page

Import the first probe object 126
Modify the parameters 128
Import the second probe object 129

3.4.1. Import the first probe object
Goal The probe object will be imported into the current project.

Action To import the probe object from the Project menu:
1. Point on Import
2. Click on
3. Select
PROBE_2D.FLU
4. Click on Open
5. Click on OK

3.4.2. Modify the parameters
Goal Two geometric parameters will be modified:

 ALPHA, corresponding to the angle of the wheel position
 ANGLE, corresponding to the angle of the probe position
ALPHA
ANGLE
Action To modify the ALPHA and ANGLE parameters from the Data tree:
1. Click on ALPHA and ANGLE

keeping the Ctrl key pressed
2. Right click to open the contextual menu

and click on Edit array
3. Type 75 as ALPHA
expression
4. Type 30 as ANGLE
expression
5. Click on OK

3.4.3. Import the second probe object
Goal The second probe object will be imported into the current project.

Action To import the probe object from the Project menu:
1. Point on Import
2. Click on
3. Select
PROBE_2D.FLU
4. Click on Open
5. Click on OK

3.5. Completing the domain
Introduction The last stage of geometry building is adding an infinite box to close the
study domain.
Topic See Page

About an infinite box 132
Add an infinite box 133
Build faces 134

3.5.1. About an infinite box
Infinite box In the Flux software, using a mathematical transformation to model an infinite
technique domain is called the infinite box technique.
The exterior domain (infinite) is linked to an image domain (called the
infinite box) through a space transformation.
Principle of use The use of the infinite box implicitly assumes a null field at infinity.
The boundary conditions on the corresponding boundaries of the infinite box
are set automatically in the physical module.
Type of infinite The infinite box available for 2D study domain and their characteristics are
box presented in the table below.
Infinite box Characteristics

disc:
 centered in (0,0) in the global coordinate
system
 comprises 8 points, 4 lines
 dimensions set by the user
Length and Length and angle units are those associated with the domain.
angle units
How to choose The dimensions of the infinite box are defined by the user. This requires a
the dimensions? certain experience because there is no general rule.
We can, however, give some advice:
 the distance between the device and the interior surface of the infinite box is
at least equal to the dimension of the device in this direction
 the dimensions of the infinite box are related to the mesh. In Flux 3D, the
number of elements on the thickness of the box must be roughly equal (at
least) to two (second-order elements) or to three (first-order elements).
The mesh and the size of the infinite box must take into account the studied
phenomena. The computations should be performed as follows:
 for computing of a global or a local quantity inside the device, it is
unnecessary to refine the mesh of the infinite box;
 for computing of the field created outside the device, it is necessary to
define the box of more significant size and to refine the mesh inside.
It is recommended to parameterize the dimensions of the infinite box to
adjust its size during the meshing.

3.5.2. Add an infinite box
Goal An infinite box will be added to close the study domain.
Data The main characteristics of the infinite box are shown in the following table.
Infinite box of Disc type
Internal radius External radius
60 70
Action To create the infinite box from the …

on Infinite box
OR
2. Select Disc as type of the infinite box
3. Type 60 as internal radius

4. Type 70 as external radius
5. Click on OK
Result The infinite box is displayed in the graphic scene:

3.5.3. Build faces

OR

4. Mesh generation of the sensor
Introduction This chapter presents the general steps of mesh generation of the computation
domain and the data required to describe the sensor meshing.
The meshed sensor is presented in the figure below.
Topic See Page

Strategy and tools for mesh generation of the sensor 137
Meshing the sensor with aided mesh 141
Optimize the mesh 149


4.1. Strategy and tools for mesh generation of the sensor
Introduction This section shows the available meshing tools and the main stages for mesh
generation of the sensor.
Topic See Page

Available meshing tools and analysis before mesh generation 138
Main stages for mesh description 139

4.1.1. Available meshing tools and analysis before mesh generation
Local / global Two solutions are offered to users for the mesh adjustment: the global
mesh adjustment (automatic) and / or the local adjustment (manual).
adjustments
The global adjustment permits to adjust the automatic mesh (triangles
elements) of the whole domain taking into account certain geometry
constraints (faces or lines that are distorted, thin, or close to each other but
that are not part of the same geometry). It is done automatically thanks to the
Aided Mesh tool box.
The local adjustment permits to locally adjust the mesh near an entity (point,
line) or a group of entities defined by the user (creation and assignment of
mesh tools).
Use Usually, it is advised to first mesh the device with the Aided mesh preset
default values. Then if the user is not completely satisfied of the mesh quality,
it is possible to adjust the default values of the aided mesh and /or to add
some local mesh information where needed.
Device analysis An analysis of the device is necessary to determine the strategy of meshing,
and choice of and the choice of mesh tools.
mesh tools
The analysis of the device and the mesh tools chosen within the framework of
this tutorial are summarized in the table below.
MEDIUM
LARGE
to modify 2
to control the node predefined mesh
density of the infinite box points LARGE and
MEDIUM

4.1.2. Main stages for mesh description
Outline An outline of the mesh generating process is presented in the table below.
Stage Description
1 Synchronize with aided mesh preset values
2 Mesh the device
Outer size infinite box mesh point:
Modification of 2 LARGE = 8 mm
3
predefined mesh points Inner size infinite box mesh point:
MEDIUM = 4 mm
MEDIUM
Assignment of
the MEDIUM mesh point
to points
4 LARGE
and assignment of
the LARGE mesh point to
points
5 Creation of a mesh point MAG_MP = 0.5 mm
Assignment of
the MAG_MP mesh point
6
to the points of the two
magnets
MAG_MP

Meshing:
8  meshing lines
 meshing faces

4.2. Meshing the sensor with aided mesh
Introduction The first step of mesh generation of the sensor is meshing lines and faces with
aided mesh preset values.
Topic See Page

Change to the mesh context 142
About the mesh context 143
About Aided mesh 144
Synchronize Aided mesh value and mesh lines and faces 145

4.2.1. Change to the mesh context
Goal The Geometry context of Flux2D should be changed to the Mesh context.
Action To activate the Mesh context (display the Mesh toolbar) from the Context
toolbar:
1. Select the Mesh Context

using the arrows

4.2.2. About the mesh context
Tools of the After having activated the Mesh context, toolbars dedicated to the mesh
mesh context description appear in the Flux2D window.
The different toolbars and their principal roles are briefly described below.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Mesh context toolbars Function

1 To edit Aided mesh box
2 to create mesh entities
3 to assign mesh entities to geometric entities
to clear all mesh information
4 to orient the mesh
to structure the mesh
5 to mesh domain, lines and faces
6 to delete the mesh

to check the mesh
7 to display mesh points, mesh lines, nodes,
surface elements, mesh defects

4.2.3. About Aided mesh
Introduction The global adjustment permits to adjust the automatic mesh (triangles
elements) of the whole domain taking into account certain geometry
constraints (faces or lines that are distorted, thin, or close to each other but
that are not part of the same geometry). It is done automatically thanks to the
Aided Mesh tool box.
Aided mesh The Aided Mesh box groups a list of tools preset with default values that are
available to adjust the mesh globally:
 Aided mesh point (on free points)
 Deviation (on free lines/faces)
 Relaxation (on free line/ faces)
The aided mesh is activated by default.
Use Usually, it is advised to first mesh the device with the preset default values.
Then if the user is not completely satisfied of the mesh quality, it is possible
to adjust the default values of the aided mesh and /or to add some local mesh
information where needed.
Note! If there is global and local adjustment on the same project, the local
adjustment has the priority on global adjustment. In this case, the global adjustment
information will be assign on entities that are free of local mesh information (free
points, free lines and free faces.

4.2.4. Synchronize Aided mesh value and mesh lines and faces
Goal The computation domain will be meshed in the following way: meshing lines
and meshing faces.
Action (1) As we have imported Flux objects, it necessary to synchronize with aided
mesh preset values.
Mesh menu:
1. Point on Aided Mesh and

click on Edit

Action 2 To mesh lines from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:
1. Point on Mesh and click on Mesh lines 1. Click on the icon
OR
Result 1 The next figure is displayed in the graphic scene.

Action 3 To mesh faces from the …

1. Point on Mesh and click on Mesh faces 1. Click on the icon
OR
Result The results appear as below.
The output is displayed in the History zone:

Total number of nodes --> 7237
Surface elements :
Number of elements not evaluated : 0 %
Number of excellent quality elements : 98.28 %
Number of good quality elements : 1.64 %
Number of average quality elements : 0.08 %
Number of poor quality elements : 0 %
meshDomain executed

Comments To optimize the mesh, it is advised to have at least a two elements large
Infinite box and to dense and regularize the mesh in the probes and between
the probe and cogged wheel (in order to take into account the physics).

4.3. Optimize the mesh
Introduction After a first mesh, it is necessary to optimize the mesh result by setting aided
values and adding some ‘local” mesh information
Topic See Page

About mesh tools 150
Modify the Aided relaxation on lines and faces 154
Assign mesh points to points 156
Create a mesh point 158
Assign the mesh point to points 159
Create a mesh line 161
Assign meshline to lines 163
Mesh lines and faces 165
Save the project and close the Flux2D window 167


4.3.1. About mesh tools
Mesh To mesh the device is to subdivide the computation domain into finite
elements:
 nodes
 line elements
 face elements
 volume elements
Meshing tools The meshing tools accessible in the Mesh context are the following:
Tool Function
Mesh point to control the size of mesh elements through
the geometric points
Mesh line to control the size of mesh elements through
the geometric lines
Mesh generator to perform the subdivision into finite elements
(or algorithms for meshing) on faces or volumes
Relaxation to control the repartition of the mesh density
through lines, faces and volumes
Shadow To control the mesh in the area where two
object are close (only in 3D)
Mesh point The Mesh point distributes nodes on the lines based on weights assigned to
points.
The node spacing on a line between two end points with different mesh points
is determined by interpolation, taking into consideration the different values
at the two ends of the line.
Default mesh There are three predefined mesh points:

points  SMALL
 MEDIUM
 LARGE
Their values are computed by Flux according to dimensions of the geometry
of the device.
The default mesh point values proposed to the user are expressed in
millimeters.

Mesh line The Mesh line distributes nodes on the lines based on a subdivision of the
line length.
We can distinguish two modes of distribution of nodes on lines:
 uniformly distributed nodes: line elements of the same length (uniform
distribution of nodes)
 nodes distributed in a geometrical progression (non-uniform distribution of
nodes)
It is also possible to take into account the node distribution on curved lines
with the Mesh line of the deviation type (repartition of nodes in function of a
deviation criteria)
Mesh The different mesh generators are the following:

generators  generic mesh generators:
- automatic
- mapped
- none (no mesh)
 users mesh generators (associated with a transformation):
- linked
- extrusion
The automatic mesh generator is used by default in Flux2D.
Mesh generator Function
automatic to create triangular elements on the surfaces and
tetrahedral elements on the volumes
(option to apply deviation on faces in 3D)
mapped to create quadrangular elements on surfaces and the
hexahedral elements on the volumes
none (no mesh) to impose non meshed zones
linked to impose the same mesh on faces linked by a geometric
transformation
extrusion to reproduce the same mesh in layers on domains
obtained by extrusion (the volume elements are prisms
or hexahedrons, depending on the mesh of the base
faces)

Relaxation Relaxation enables the creation of triangular or tetrahedral good quality

elements as big as possible depending of the size of geometrical entity. The
mesh is denser on small entities and more relaxed on bigger entities,
depending on the relaxation coefficient.
The example below show relaxation on lines:
Low relaxation on lines
Medium relaxation on lines
High relaxation on lines
Shadow (3D) Shadow can be applied on faces closed to each other in 3D only. Shadow
enables to take into account the proximity of disconnected objects.

4.3.2. Modify the Aided relaxation on lines and faces
Action Edit the Aided mesh box and modify the relaxation on lines and faces as
below.
1. Edit the Aided mesh box
2. Select Relaxation as parameters of aided

mesh
3. Select Low (r=0.25) as setting of relaxation

for lines
4. Select Low (r=0.25) as setting of relaxation

for faces
5. Click on OK

4.3.3. Modify the mesh points
Goal The LARGE mesh point, applied to the points on the outer lines of the
infinite box, and the MEDIUM mesh point, applied to the points on the inner
lines of the infinite box, will be modified.
Data The table below describes the new values for the LARGE and MEDIUM
mesh points.
Mesh points
Name Comment Value Color
LARGE Large mesh size 8 Red
MEDIUM Medium mesh size 4 Yellow
Action To modify the mesh points from the Data tree:
1. Click on LARGE and MEDIUM,

2. Right click to open the contextual menu

and click on Edit array
3. Type 8 as
value for the
LARGE mesh
point
4. Type 4 as
value for the
MEDIUM
mesh point
5. Click on OK

4.3.4. Assign mesh points to points
Goal The mesh points will be assigned to the points on the infinite box as follows:
 the MEDIUM mesh point will be assigned to the points on the inner lines
MEDIUM
 the LARGE mesh point will be assigned to the points on the outer lines
LARGE

Action To assign mesh point to points from the …

1. Point on Assign mesh information 1. Click on the icon
and click on Assign mesh point to points
OR
2. Select the points in the graphic scene:

click on the points,
3. Select MEDIUM as mesh point

4. Click on OK
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 in the new dialog to

… assign the LARGE mesh point to points
(see the figure on the previous page)

4.3.5. Create a mesh point
Data The table below describes the characteristics of the mesh points for the probe.
Mesh point
Name Comment Unit Value Color
MAG_MP Magnet mesh point millimeter 0.5 White
Action To create the mesh points from the …

Data tree: Mesh toolbar:
1. Double-click on Mesh point 1. Click on the icon
OR
2. Type MAG_MP as name
3. Type Magnet mesh point as comment
4. In the Definition tab select MILLIMETER

as associated length unit
5. Type 0.5 as value of the mesh point
6. Click on the Appearance tab
7. Select White as color
8. Click on OK
Result The new mesh point is listed in the data tree:

4.3.6. Assign the mesh point to points
About selection See § 1.5.6 About selection by criterion.

by criterion
Goal The mesh points will be assigned to the points belonging to two magnets, as
shown in the figure below.
MAG_MP
Action To assign a mesh point to points from the …

1. Point on Assign mesh information 1. Click on the icon
and click on Assign mesh point to points
OR

2. Click on
3. Click on Selection by
face
4. Select the face in the graphic

scene:
click on the four faces
constituting the magnets
5. Click on Union
=> point reference numbers enter
6. Select MAG_MP as mesh point

7. Click on OK
Result The points to which the mesh point were assigned appear in white for the
magnets

4.3.7. Create a mesh line
Data The table below describes the characteristics of the mesh line for teeth
extremities.
Mesh Line
Name Type Value Color
MESHLINE_1 Relative deviation 1.0 White
Action To create the mesh line from the …

Data tree: Mesh toolbar:
1. Double-click on Mesh point
OR
2. Type Meshline_1 as name
3. In the Definition tab select

Relative deviation
4. Type 1.0 as value of the mesh
point
5. Click on the Appearance tab
6. Select White as color
7. Click on OK
8. Click on Cancel to quit

8. the sequence

Result The new mesh line is listed in the data tree:

4.3.8. Assign meshline to lines
About selection See § 1.5.6 About selection by criterion.

by criterion
Goal The meshline will be assigned to the lines constituting the extremity of the
cogged wheel. The goal is to increase the mesh density in the air gap between
the teeth and the magnets when they are in front of each other.
Meshline_1
Action To assign a mesh line to lines from the …

Mesh menu: OR Mesh toolbar:
1 Point on Assign mesh information

and click on Assign meshline to lines

2. Select the lines in

graphic view
maintaining Ctrl
key pressed
3. Select meshline_1
4. Click OK

4.3.9. Mesh lines and faces
Goal The computation domain will be meshed in the following way: meshing lines
and meshing faces.
Action 1 To mesh lines from the …

1. Point on Mesh and click on Mesh lines 1. Click on the icon
OR

Action 2 To mesh faces from the …

1. Point on Mesh and click on Mesh faces 1. Click on the icon
OR
The output is displayed in the History zone:

Total number of nodes --> 15707
Surface elements :
Number of elements not evaluated : 0 %
Number of excellent quality elements : 99.49 %
Number of good quality elements : 0.5 %
Number of average quality elements : 0.01 %
Number of poor quality elements : 0 %
Number of abnormal elements : 0 %
meshFaces executed

4.3.10. Save the project and close the Flux2D window
Goal The current project will be saved and the Flux2D window will be closed to
return to the Flux Supervisor 11.1.
Action 1 To save the SENSOR_2D.FLU project from the …

1. Click on Save 1. Click on the icon
OR
Action 2 To close the Flux2D window from the …

1. Click on Exit 1. Click on the icon
OR


5. Annex
Introduction This chapter describes the utilization of command files.
Topic See Page

Use of command files 171


5.1. Use of command files
Introduction This section describes the use of command files.
Topic See Page

About command files and the Python language 172
Execute command file 173

5.1.1. About command files and the Python language
Introduction Instead of manually executing a series of repetitive actions in Flux, you can
save time by building and executing a command file that performs the task in
your place automatically (like a WORD or EXCEL macro).
Command file: A command file is a series of Flux commands and instructions written in the
definition Python language intended to execute a series automatically.
Interest A command file is useful for:

 accelerating the most frequent operations
 combining several commands
 performing a complex series of tasks

5.1.2. Execute command file
Goal After making a copy of the py file (Flux2D_log.py) of the current project in a
new directory (Tutorial), we will restart the Flux2D window by executing this
py file.
Action To execute the py file from the Project menu:
1. Point on Execute command file…

and click on Execute command file…
2. Select
Preflu2D_log.py
3. Click on Open
vérifier le nom du fichier python…
Result The new files with .FLU extension are recreated in the new directory:
 PROBE_2D.FLU
 WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU
 SENSOR_2D.FLU


02 Basic 2d 1steps Geometrymeshtutorial

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

02 Basic 2d 1steps Geometrymeshtutorial

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CAD package for electromagnetic and thermal analysis using finite elements

Geometry and mesh tutorial /

Flux software : COPYRIGHT CEDRAT/INPG/CNRS/EDF

This tutorial was edited on 3 juillet 2012

Ref.: KF 2 05 -G- 111 - EN -07/12

Organization The organization of the chapters is the following.

Supplied files Contents Flux file obtained after

The main.py enables the launch of these command files

Part B: Geometry and mesh description of the studied device 15

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE A

2.2.2. Main stages for the wheel base geometric description.................................................82

PAGE B Geometry and mesh tutorial

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE C

PAGE D Geometry and mesh tutorial

Part A: General information

Contents This part contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 1

PAGE 2 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 3

* The functionalities of the software related to the following phases - description of

PAGE 4 Geometry and mesh tutorial

1.2. The studied device: a variable reluctance speed sensor

Introduction The device to be analyzed is a speed sensor.

Typical Typical applications are:

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 5

1.3. The device description in Flux: which strategy?

Problem How to describe the device in Flux?

Geometric The device consists of:

Strategy Two strategies of description exist:

Continued on next page

PAGE 6 Geometry and mesh tutorial

1.4. Main stages for geometry description

2 Cogged wheel description

4 Addition of air around the device and closing of the domain

Continued on next page

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 7

2 Wheel base object description (elementary pattern) Project: WHEEL_BASE_2D.FLU

3 Sensor description Project: SENSOR_2D.FLU

Building of the whole wheel

Importation of a probe object (PROBE_2D)

Rotation of the probe and rotation of the cogged wheel

Importation of a probe object (PROBE_2D)

Addition of an Infinite Box

PAGE 8 Geometry and mesh tutorial

2. Get started with Flux

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 9

PAGE 10 Geometry and mesh tutorial

2.1. Start the Flux Supervisor

Goal Starting Flux involves opening the Flux Supervisor.

Action To start Flux from the Windows taskbar:

 Start  Program  Cedrat  Flux

Result The Flux Supervisor window opens.

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 11

2.2. About the Flux Supervisor

Some checks From the Flux Supervisor you should:

PAGE 12 Geometry and mesh tutorial

2.3. Open Flux2D

Action To open Flux2D from the Flux Supervisor:

2. Select the directory