This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Project under Grant 845600 (RealFlex).
Virtual prototyping is a key element in the modern design, training, and maintenance of heavy machinery. As it requires reliable and highly accurate simulation software, delivering state-of-the-art solutions is a top priority for Mevea. One of the ways to achieve that goal is participation in international research projects. The RealFlex EU project targets enabling reliable, effective, efficient, and general solutions for modeling deformable bodies in real-time simulations.
Modern simulation software can effectively model multiple physical phenomena crucial to machine design and testing. While Mevea truly stands out in realistic, real-time simulation solutions for machine simulators, there is still room for improvements. RealFlex project brings state-of-the-art methods of flexibility modeling to our resume.Â
The project’s work concentrates on two areas: export of a deformable model from the finite element package, like Abaqus and ANSYS, and its support in Mevea Solver itself. For data exchange, an open and widely used Standard Input Definition (SID) file is employed. Finite element package Abaqus can generate a SID file directly. ANSYS is handled by preparing middleware tools that generate flexible bodies flawlessly. Great care and extensive testing were involved in the process of preparing that solution. In addition, a novel matrix notation was adopted to further improve flexible body terms derivation.
A generated SID file can be used directly in Mevea Software. The software automatically detects that a flexible body is modeled using a new format and the flexible body can be configured directly in the modeler module. Configuration is based on the location of flexible body interface points. As the structure of the SID file is optimised for use in dynamic analysis software, exceptional efficiency is to be expected. New virtual machines can achieve higher accuracy and improve operator experience.
The new flexibility model allows any Mevea customer to design and manufacture safer and more reliable machines, in addition to ensuring a faster and simpler introduction of a skilled worker to the market. From a wider perspective, developed solution affects key areas and technologies: machine design, rapid training, model-based control, autonomous vehicles, edge computing, smart sensors, Digital Twins, and others. Many of those aims on revolutionizing the whole life cycle of machines and vehicles: design, manufacturing, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning. All this means safer, more reliable, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and maintainable products.
