What is the best tool to perform computation?

I am a newcomer to the realm of CAD/CAM and willingly to understand the
rules of this field as soon as possible. I think most of the CAD
packages concentrate on graphical task, but what about numerical
computations? Typically those "what-if" problems.
What kind of softwares are suitable for this purpose? Thx!

 

Not sure whether you're really talking about determininng theoretical
"fit" between parts, or about statistical process control methods for
determining fit, about determining structural strength or thermal or
fluid dynamics based on 3D CAD models, or about mathematical models that
solve problems like in optics or for wave propagation/deflection, etc.,
or more about how to reverse engineer complex geometry. If the former,
then SolidWorks gives you the tools to determine proper geometry for
very complex fit scenarios -- including semi-automated interference
checking -- although it won't tell you how much actual clearance you
have. The "Measure" tool has to suffice for much of that, but you can
easily create a model of one part BASED ON another part, with offsets
for sketches upon which features are based. You can even offset
features/surfaces to create new derived and dependent parts and
assemblies. And those capabilities allow one to define accurate
theoretical clearances, although real-world clearances have to be
determined based upon knowledge of manufacturing process and achievable
tolerances.

Of course statistical process control methodology and SPC softwares
(that are definitely separate from SolidWorks and other 3D MCAD
software) are used extensively in industry to determine what is
achievable and how to refine processes and designs for achievability.
There is SOME software available as add-ons to 3D CAD programs to help
determine proper tolerancing to help ensure fit for 2D CAD drawings
generated from 3D models of parts, but mostly engineers just rely upon
their own understanding of processes and proper tolerancing to create
drawings that have a high probability of resulting in good parts.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for strength and thermal / fluid dynamic
analysis for heat transfer and flow optimization are handled by separate
softwares that may be integrated into a 3D CAD environment or may take
output from the 3D CAD software for use in independent computation.

For physics including things like optics, wave propagation/deflections,
etc., and other theoretical computational mathematics most engineers use
software such as MatLab, Mathematica, FEMLAB and some others.

Reverse engineering complex geometry is mostly the domain of
sophisticated hardware (like CMC and laser scanning equipment) which
generate large amounts of data obtained from objects, which in turn is
imported into and analyzed with sophisticated softwares which are
complementary to (but separate from) 3D MCAD applications. As with FEA
and thermal or fluid dynamic analysis softwares, some of that is written
to be integral to a particular 3D CAD environment, and some of it simply
outputs data that can be imported into the 3D CAD softwares.

Does that answer your question?

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Watermark Design, LLC
www.h2omarkdesign.com

 

Thanks a lot, Sporkman. But I still have some questions to expand. For
example, I want to figure out the maximum volume of a conical machinery
unit which the height and the area of the bottom face are the given
arguments? By what means or what kind of tools engineers usually use?
And after your expanation, I have a strong interest about the ecosystem
of a CAD design procedure. As you metioned above, a lot of different
softwares involve along a project. Usually engineers will have what
weapons to comprise their arsenal?
SolidWorks+Mathematica+Ansys+3DS+....?

Thanks agian!

 

Thanks a lot, Sporkman. But I still have some questions to expand. For
example, I want to figure out the maximum volume of a conical machinery
unit which the height and the area of the bottom face are the given
arguments? By what means or what kind of tools engineers usually use?
And after your expanation, I have a strong interest about the ecosystem
of a CAD design procedure. As you metioned above, a lot of different
softwares involve along a project. Usually engineers will have what
weapons to comprise their arsenal?
SolidWorks+Mathematica+Ansys+3DS+....?

Thanks agian!

 

: I am a newcomer to the realm of CAD/CAM and willingly to understand the
: rules of this field as soon as possible. I think most of the CAD
: packages concentrate on graphical task, but what about numerical
: computations? Typically those "what-if" problems.

Pro/e has Behavioral Modelling, meant exactly to deal with modelling 'what if'
problems. This function of Pro/e is used extensively to setup and run design
studies for optimizing designs by a set of parametric (usually numerical)
criteria. You can begin with a Sensitivity Analysis to see which of parameters has
the greatest, which the least impact on the desired outcome. You can then proceed
with a Feasibility/Optimization analysis which takes your design goals and varies
the parameters, incrementally, within prescribed limits, to test either
feasibility or to optimize the design. This can be done in conjunction with
Mechanism Design to vary models and test their effect on a mechanism or in
conjunction with Mechanica to test changes of part configuration on
loading/stress, for example. And finally BMX allows you to conduct Multi-Objective
Design Studies which lets you set up several goals and chart to solution of each
plus make comparisons between them, IOW, several optimizations simultaneously. In
both optimization analyses and MODS, the results can be used to modify the models
according to the optimized results, including when done in conjunction with MDX or
Mechanica.

David Janes

 

In comp.cad.solidworks, comp.cad.autocad, comp.cad.pro-engineer, On 12

There is a formula for that or something similar: redo the
area-of-a-circle formula to get the radius of the bottom face, the CRC
Math Tables book likely has a formula for cone volume given radius and
heigth. If you study enough math (perhaps it's spelled maths where you
are), especially through calculus, you should be able to derive such a
formula yourself.
You can also do this numerically, and probably some programs will
do this for you for arbitrary shapes, but if an exact formula can be
used, it's the preferred method (at least by me), though on second
thought I'd use both methods to be sure they agree.

 

: I am a newcomer to the realm of CAD/CAM and willingly to understand the
: rules of this field as soon as possible. I think most of the CAD
: packages concentrate on graphical task, but what about numerical
: computations? Typically those "what-if" problems.
: What kind of softwares are suitable for this purpose? Thx!
:

If you want numerical computations, write a program or procedure using the
required formulae in VB or Delphi or any other high level language and compile
to a .exe file.


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How does precision vary with language used & OS?

 

Use the Solver function in Excel.

Stephen