Chapter 1

ANSYS DesignModeler 

Introduction to Workbench

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ANSYS Workbench Overview
 

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•  ANSYS Workbench comprises the following modules:  s
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 –    Simulation for performing structural and thermal analyses using the ANSYS solver  n
 –    Meshing for generating a mesh for Mechanical, Electromagnetic or CFD application
M
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 d 
 –    DesignModeler for creating and modifying CAD geometry to prepare the solid model for use  e
in Simulation or Meshing l  
r 
 –    DesignXplorer and Design Xplorer VT for investigating the effect of variations input to the
response of the system

 –    FE Modeler for translating a Nastran mesh for use in ANSYS

 –    Advanced CFD for performing CFD analyses using the CFX Solver 

 –    Advanced Meshing for generating complex CFD grids and sophisticated structural FEA
meshes using full ICEM CFD version

 –    AUTODYN for modeling nonlinear dynamics of solids, fluids, gas and their interaction

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ANSYS Workbench Overview
 

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 s
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 Advanced CFD  e
 Advanced Meshing l  
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 ANSYS Workbench

Simulation DesignXplorer (VT)

DesignModeler  FE Modeler 

Meshing/CFX-Mesh

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The ANSYS Start Page
 

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• Launching ANSYS DesignModeler:  e
 s
 –  Workbench modules are all i  
  n
aunc e rom one con, “ M
Workbench,” under “Start Menu >  o
Programs > ANSYS 11.0”  d 
 e
l  
r 

 –  Users can launch Workbench from

within a supported CAD system

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The ANSYS Start Page
 

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•  After launching ANSYS Workbench, the StartPage displays what options are  e
 s
available to the user: i  
  , n
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Select
“ DesignModeler
Geometry” to

existing *.agdb file

  erna ve y you can c oose o s ar an

“ Empty Project” to set up a wbdb file.

May 11, 2007  ANSYS, Inc. Pr op ri etary Inventory #002496

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Options Page
 

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• Before entering DesignModeler, the current and default options may be  e
 s
chosen through the “Options …” button i  
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 –  This is useful for setting the default working units, modifying the graphics style etc. M
 –  Preferences for all Workbench modules can be controlled through this dialog box
 o
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 Workbench Databases
 

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• There are various types of files used by Workbench, each differentiated by the file  s
extension: i  
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 –    .wbdb: Workbench Project database, which keeps track of all of the different types of Workbench M
databases in a “Project”  o
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 –    .agdb: DesignModeler database, containing geometry data for use with Simulation or CFX-Mesh  e
l  
 –  .   , r 
 –    .dxdb: DesignXplorer/DesignXplorer VT database, which investigate relationships between input
and output parameters
 –    .dsdb: Simulation database, which has all the information necessary to perform a structural or
thermal analysis in Simulation
 –    .fedb: FE Modeler database, which has mesh information from a Nastran or Simulation model,
used to convert to ANSYS
 –    .   . , ,
pertinent project information. This file is saved automatically whenever .wbdb file is saved.
(Simulation and DX databases utilize engineering data)

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Workbench Databases
 

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• The Workbench database is simply a ‘directory’ of a “Project.” A “Project” can  s
be thought of as a collection of different CAD or Workbench files, which are
i  
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associated together. M
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• Whenever a DesignModeler database (.agdb) or a Meshing database  e
*.cmdb is created there will be an associated Workbench database .wbdb
l  
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generated as well.
• Saving the Workbench database is not required, but it is helpful in keeping
, .
.eddb and .param files will be saved automatically while saving Workbench
databases.

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The ANSYS Project Page
 

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• If the Workbench “Project” tab is selected, the various Workbench databases  s
and CAD geometries will be listed
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 –  The menu on right is context-sensitive. Depending on the file selected, options M
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available will differ   d 
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Once a new DM
session is started
the Project page
offers various
geometry tasks
and options (see
next page)

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Project Page Geometry Options
 

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• Default options:  s
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 –  CAD body type import filter  n
 –  Parameter and attribute import from CAD
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 –  Named selection and material property import  d 
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(from supported CAD) l  
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•  Advanced options:
 –  CAD associativity
 –  Reader mode save . . . (Unigraphics specific)
 –  Smart CAD update allows fast update from CAD
when some parts in a CAD assembly remain
unmodified during refresh
 –  Temporary file for large CAD model import

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Interoperability
 

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• Take DesignModeler database directly to Meshing, Simulation or Advanced  s
Meshing. i  
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 Navigating Between Modules
 

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• The topmost tabs allow users to navigate between opened Workbench modules  e
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 Exiting Workbench
 

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• When exiting Workbench, the user will be prompted to save any files that have  e
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changed since the last save i  
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In this example on the left, the highli ghted

Workbench database, DesignXplorer study,
and DesignModeler geometry have changed
since the last save, so th e user is promp ted
.
If indivi dual fi les are to be saved, this can be
done withi n the appropriate Workbench
module.
Changes to CAD geometry are not contr olled
within Workbench but throu h the CAD
software.

May 11, 2007  ANSYS, Inc. Pr op ri etary Inventory #002496

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