Multiphysics Simulations for More Users

By DE Editors

Earlier this month, COMSOL Inc. (Burlington, MA)  released to attendees at the company’s fifth annual user conference in Boston a beta version of COMSOL Multiphysics 4.0, its multiphysics modeling and simulation environment. A key enhancement in Version 4.0 is an all-new graphical user interface know as the COMSOL Desktop that is intended to make building and running simulations in the Multiphysics software environment more accessible for a wider range of users. COMSOL Multiphysics also offers such extensions as new bi-directional associativity with Pro/ENGINEER geometry, support for parallel processing on standard multicore desktops, built-in cluster scheduling, and a number of new large-capacity solvers. According to a company spokesperson, COMSOL Multiphysics 4.0 will be available directly from COMSOL and its global network of distributors near the end of 2009.

The new COMSOL Desktop was used to create this design analysis of a high-voltage generator. The entire model setup from geometry creation to visualization of the simulation results was carried out from the Model Builder (left panel). Original model courtesy of COMET AG (Flamatt, Switzerland).

The COMSOL Desktop provides a clean overview of the modeling process and allows users to organize their workflow and desktop appearance using docked window placement capabilities. The new Model Builder brings a dynamic model configuration approach to simulations, including such capabilities as right-click execution of common tasks, including importing CAD, meshing, specifying material properties, solving, and plotting results.

A thermal actuator design is captured step-by-step in the COMSOL Multiphysics Model Builder with a complete record of all operations. The multiplot feature was used to create this image showing the temperature distribution on the surface in combination with the deformation and a close-up of the mesh near the anchors (inset).

Version 4.0 expands its LiveLink CAD interoperability to Pro/ENGINEER. Versions of LiveLink for SolidWorks and for Autodesk Inventor are already available as optional add-ons to COMSOL Multiphysics. LiveLink for Pro/ENGINEER establishes associativity between the two geometry representations so that changing a feature in the CAD model automatically updates the COMSOL geometry accordingly. With this capability, users can perform multiphysics simulation involving parametric sweeps and design optimization from within Pro/ENGINEER directly. Version 4.0 also includes expanded Parasolid support in the CAD Import Module that enables 3D geometry operations to be performed in combination with imported geometries,  which is said to substantially extend the user’s ability to repair imported CAD geometries.

Parallel processing on standard multicore desktops as well as distributed memory systems is supported in COMSOL Multiphysics 4.0. The COMSOL cluster implementation can use shared memory multicore processors on each computer or node in combination with the cluster. Version 4 supports Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, Windows HPC Server 2008, and Linux.

New solvers in 4.0 include a fast-frequency sweep modal solver for structural and acoustics simulations and a fast-frequency sweep solver for electromagnetics simulations based on the AWE (asymptotic waveform evaluation) method. Version 4.0 also has a new frequency-response solver for multiphysics-prestressed structures.

COMSOL’s new LiveLink for PTC Pro/ENGINEER establishes associativity between the two geometry representations so that any change to a feature in the CAD model automatically updates the COMSOL geometry.

Miscellaneous highlights of COMSOL Multiphysics 4.0 include geometry parameter sweeps with full associativity; fully automated simulation configuration of solver settings,  solver sequences, mesh settings, and result visualization; and fast graphics with new functionality for displaying multiple plots simultaneously.

COMSOL Multiphysics version 4.0 runs on Windows, Linux, and Macintosh platforms and will be available directly from COMSOL and its global network of distributors by the end of 2009. For complete details, visit COMSOL on the web.

Go to the COMSOL Multiphysics web page.

Browse the COMSOL Multiphysics model gallery.

Attend a free hands-on workshop near you.

Sign-up for a free pre-recorded webinar on COMSOL Multiphysics.

Register for an introductory CD featuring additional tutorials and demos.

Read why DE Editors selected COMSOL Multiphysics 4.0 as their Pick of the Week.