Process simulation object
Process simulation object
The process simulation object (PSO) is the component, or part of a component, where the process is impacting on. In other words: the PSO is the object on which the result of a manufacturing process is computed and can be analyzed. In many cases this will be (part of) the workpiece, but also other resources might be impacted by a process.
The PSO is a geometric element, derived from its associated input geometry. A predefined data model determines how this PSO is being generated. This can be different for the various technologies and on what process values will be analyzed. The data model and its attributes can be accessed in the PSO dashboard.
On this data model the effect of the process is calculated during the simulation. The PSO is used to visualize the results of the simulation and to store it with the workpiece.
The process model that is applied on a PSO has at least one physical parameter that will be calculated during simulation. At creation of the PSO, for every physical parameter its initial value is set in the PSO dashboard, as in the example below. At any time, before, during or after simulation, this initial value can be modified, or the result value from simulation can be reset back to the initial value.
The PSO definition and the current simulation results (can be only the initial value) are stored with the workpiece when this workpiece is saved from within its workbench. Working on a project, the PSO definition and its simulation values are stored on the workpiece instance, not in the original workpiece, when the project is saved.
Different manufacturing processes might have different data models to compute the impact. The hereafter described data models have been implemented.
Surface mesh
The PSO creates a surface mesh on the selected geometry, built from nodes and triangular facets.
The mesh generator uses the following attributes:
| Attribute | Description | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Element size | The maximum edge length of a mash element (facet). | The size may be different on each side of the element. |
| Max. sag | The maximum deviation from the associated input geometry. | Applies to both surface and boundary. |
| Max. angle deviation | The maximum angle between adjacent mesh elements. | Applies over the surface and along the boundary tangent. |
