kbe case studies: transformer tank proof of concept

Requirements

• A single application providing a user-friendly facility to generate and modify the Transformer Tank assembly.
• The application was to cover all possible configurations of the assembly, including changes in dimensions, topology, and addition/deletion of components.
• The above changes needed to be effected through a simple Graphical User Interface, which was also to display relevant information extracted from the updated assembly.
• The Assembly and Component drawings needed to automatically update with changes in the models.
• A Finite-Element (FE) Analysis (with pre-defined boundary conditions) to be automatically carried out with the updated component(s) and the relevant results to be displayed to the user.

Approach

• Using Knowledge Fusion, individual components were first built based on engineering rules and formulae governing their topology, and stored as separate classes.

• Using the NX UI Styler, a user interface was developed to capture all user-driven inputs using data entry fields, toggles, and pulldown menus. These inputs were organized in component-wise pages for ease of navigation.
• A top-level class was then created which linked to the user interface and, based on the inputs given through the user interface, built up the assembly using relevant classes from the above created ones. Since the complete assembly tree and all its components were generated dynamically, they always remained linked to the User Interface, and could be modified at will. Flash animation of assembly generation process (7.65 MB, link will open in new window)

• Using features in the NX drafting environment, the dimensions were linked to the knowledge-based model, and could thus be made to appear/disappear as demanded by the configuration, and move adaptively according to changes in component dimensions and topology, thus eliminating the need to re-position the dimensions.
• Through KF and the NX Scenario application, an automated FE model could be created with a mesh that modifies adaptively with changes in the component topology. Thus, upon modifying the design, a mere push of a button could perform the analysis, and the user could then inspect the stress / displacement plots. Flash animation of automated FEA (9.24 MB, link will open in new window)

Advantages

• The GUI is always linked to the model, thus ensuring easy modifiability.
• The complete cycle time from conceptualizing a design to generating assembly / component drawings is now reduced by about 80%.
• The components have been built up as separate classes. Any addition to the design rules, therefore, can be performed without having to modify the entire code.
• The dynamic updating of the assembly, coupled with the automated FE Analysis encourages the user to try out various iterations in design and come up with an optimal design with lesser effort.
• The existing design parameters can now be stored in an external database and linked to the KF code, thus ensuring easy retrieval of previous project information for reference.