Automatic Adaptive Meshing

A key benefit of ANSYS Maxwell is its automatic adaptive meshing techniques where users are only required to specify geometry, material properties and the desired output. This meshing process uses a highly robust volumetric meshing (TAU) technique and includes multi-threading capability that reduces the amount of memory used and speeds the simulation time. This proven technology eliminates the complexity of building and refining a finite element mesh and makes advanced numerical analysis practical for all levels of your organization.

Maxwell adaptive mesh iterations based on energy convergence criteria

Final, adaptive mesh for the given geometry.

Maxwell results of simulation vs. measurement for Team Workshop problem #7

Solvers

Transient - nonlinear analysis with:

Maxwell transient solver can solve the magnetic field vector including rigid.

AC electromagnetic — Analysis of devices influenced by skin/proximity effects, eddy/displacement currents with automated frequency dependent model generation

Maxwell can accurately simulate the eddy current distribution using high order vector elements.

Magnetostatic — Nonlinear analysis with automated equivalent circuit model generation

Flux density distribution in an actuator solved by Maxwell.

Electric Field — Transient, electrostatic/ current flow analysis with automated circuit model generation

Electric field distribution from a sub-station solved by Maxwell.

Dynamic Link with Simplorer

A key feature in Maxwell is the ability to generate high-fidelity, reduced order models from the finite-element solution for use in Simplorer, the multi-domain system simulation software from ANSYS. The ability to dynamically link Maxwell to Simplorer using reduced order models or alternatively to perform co-simulation between the Maxwell transient solver and Simplorer provides engineers with powerful, electromagnetic-based simulation environment. Engineers can incorporate the design of an electromechanical component with the power electronics to achieve an optimal performing system. This approach allows engineers to utilize simulation techniques to create virtual models of critical components including electrical machines, IGBTs, controls, and characterize (L, R, C) of cables and bus bars that connect these components. By integrating high-fidelity electromagnetic and electromechanical physics-based models into a system-level simulation, engineers can easily optimize drive performance as well as control harmonics and mitigate conducted and radiated EMI/EMC.

Maxwell can be dynamically linked to ANSYS Simplorer to accurately represent the component physics in a circuit and system simulation.

Multiphysics

Maxwell is available as a product within ANSYSWorkbench, the framework upon which the industry's broadest and deepest suite of advanced engineering simulation technology is built. An innovative project schematic view ties together the entire simulation process, guiding the user through complex multiphysics analyses with drag-and-drop simplicity. ANSYS Workbench provides the ability to share geometry, geometry parameters and material properties between the ANSYS product portfolio and Maxwell to solve electromagnetic-thermal-deformation problems.

Maxwell can be linked through ANSYS Workbench to ANSYS Fluent and ANSYS Mechanical to perform electromagnetic-fluid-structural analysis

Power loss (generated by eddy currents) in a bus bar configuration solved by Maxwell is the input to the CFD simulation.

Temperature distribution simulated by ANSYS Fluent

Deformation of the bus bar is calculated by ANSYS Mechanical by transferring the thermal loads to the structural solver.

High-Performance Computing

Maxwell can leverage today's high-powered computers with multiprocessing and distributed analysis options for fast turnaround of your largest designs. The multi-processing option is used for solving models on a single machine with multiple processors or multiple cores which share RAM. The distributed solve option allows users to distribute parametric studies across a number of machines to expedite total simulation time.

Temperature Dependent Permanent Magnets

Maxwell's demagnetization analysis features allow you to study the permanent magnet demagnetization characteristics extended into the third quadrant. External magnetic fields and heating can alter the magnetic properties of hard magnetic materials leading to demagnetization. We can combine these effects to accurately determine the performance of the machine.

Post-Processing

Maxwell provides powerful post-processing features to visualize, animate and report the results of your simulation.

CAD Import

Using AnsoftLinks for MCAD or ANSYS Workbench, Maxwell can import 3-D geometry from mechanical CAD (MCAD) including IGES, STEP, ACIS, Parasolid®, NASTRAN®, Pro/ENGINEER®, AutoCAD®, CATIA®, and Siemens NX™. Maxwell can bi-directionally share geometry, geometry parameters and material properties with other ANSYS solvers. This powerful functionality enables you to easily perform multiphysics simulations.