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Chapter 1

ANSYS DesignModeler
Introduction to Workbench

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ANSYS Workbench Overview


Training Manual

Simulation for performing structural and thermal analyses using the ANSYS solver
Meshing for generating a mesh for Mechanical, Electromagnetic or CFD application
DesignModeler for creating and modifying CAD geometry to prepare the solid model for use
in Simulation or Meshing
DesignXplorer and DesignXplorer VT for investigating the effect of variations input to the
response of the system

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ANSYS Workbench comprises the following modules:

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


Training Manual

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Advanced CFD

Advanced Meshing

ANSYS Workbench
Simulation

DesignXplorer (VT)

FE Modeler

DesignModeler
Meshing/CFX-Mesh
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The ANSYS Start Page


Training Manual

Workbench modules are all


l
launched
h d ffrom one iicon, ANSYS
Workbench, under Start Menu >
Programs > ANSYS 11.0

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Launching ANSYS DesignModeler:

Users can launch Workbench from


within a supported CAD system

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The ANSYS Start Page


Training Manual

Launch a new,
new empty DesignModeler session

Select
DesignModeler
Geometry to
browse for an
existing *.agdb file

Change default settings

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2007 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

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After launching ANSYS Workbench, the StartPage displays what options are
available to the user:

Alternatively
Alt
ti l you can choose
h
to
t start
t t an
Empty Project to set up a wbdb file.
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Options Page
Training Manual

This is useful for setting the default working units, modifying the graphics style etc.
Preferences for all Workbench modules can be controlled through this dialog box

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Before entering DesignModeler, the current and default options may be


chosen through the Options button

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Workbench Databases
Training Manual

.wbdb: Workbench Project database, which keeps track of all of the different types of Workbench
databases in a Project
.agdb: DesignModeler database, containing geometry data for use with Simulation or CFX-Mesh
.cmdb:
cmdb: Meshing database
database, containing the mesh settings and mesh information

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There are various types of files used by Workbench, each differentiated by the file
extension:

.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
.eddb:
eddb: Engineering Data database file.
file Containing all material,
material convection
convection, load history and other
pertinent project information. This file is saved automatically whenever .wbdb file is saved.
(Simulation and DX databases utilize engineering data)

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2007 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary

Inventory #002496
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Workbench Databases
Training Manual

Whenever a DesignModeler database (.agdb) or a Meshing database


((*.cmdb)) is created,, there will be an associated Workbench database (.wbdb)
(
)
generated as well.

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The Workbench database is simply a directory of a Project. A Project can


be thought of as a collection of different CAD or Workbench files, which are
associated together.

Saving the Workbench database is not required, but it is helpful in keeping


track of various analyses,
analyses especially if multiple geometries are analyzed
analyzed. Also
.eddb and .param files will be saved automatically while saving Workbench
databases.

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The ANSYS Project Page


Training Manual

The menu on right is context-sensitive. Depending on the file selected, options


available will differ

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If the Workbench Project tab is selected, the various Workbench databases


and CAD geometries will be listed

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


Training Manual

CAD body type import filter


Parameter and attribute import from CAD
Named selection and material property import
(from supported CAD)

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Default options:

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
Training Manual

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Take DesignModeler database directly to Meshing, Simulation or Advanced


Meshing.

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Navigating Between Modules


Training Manual

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The topmost tabs allow users to navigate between opened Workbench modules

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Exiting Workbench
Training Manual

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When exiting Workbench, the user will be prompted to save any files that have
changed since the last save

In this example on the left, the highlighted


Workbench database, DesignXplorer study,
and DesignModeler geometry have changed
since the last save, so the user is prompted
to save all or none of the highlighted items.
items
If individual files are to be saved, this can be
done within the appropriate Workbench
module.
Changes to CAD geometry are not controlled
g the CAD
within Workbench but through
software.

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2007 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary

Inventory #002496
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