Better Engineering Through
Multibody Dynamic Simulation

July 2019 | Issue #20

New RecurDyn/Particleworks example including FFlex bodies: Top- and Front-Loading Washing Machines

Last month we shared a unique application of RecurDyn and Particleworks co-simulation on a clothes styler. This month we would like to showcase the same type of co-simulation being used to simulate both a top-loading and a front-loading washer. The co-simulation illustrates the dynamic interaction of flexible bodies (representing clothes) and the moving impeller and/or drum in RecurDyn and the fluid particles of Particleworks that represent the water and detergent.

This example demonstrates the power of doing Multiphysics simulations with RecurDyn and partner software. In this case we consider the physics of multibody dynamics, nonlinear flexible bodies, and particle-based fluids. As we provide new combinations of simulation capabilities, the ability to simulate your systems of interest become broader and more accurate.

Some of the critical engineering questions that can be answered with this type of simulation are:

1. How does the motion of the fabric change with different levels of water, quantity of clothes in the drum, or different agitator motion?
2. How does the energy consumption of the washer change with different levels of water or different agitator motion?

Below are two videos showing the co-simulation between RecurDyn and Particleworks with a top-loading washer model and a front-loading washer model.

Click on the image to watch the videos on the MotionPort site.

RecurDyn News & Tips

In the News:

RecurDyn multibody dynamic simulation software was demonstrated at the annual NAFEMS World Congress 2019 (held in Quebec, Canada at the end of June 2019) at a booth staffed by FunctionBay. The conference focused on digital trends in engineering analysis, modeling and simulation.

For more information on NAFEMS conferences, please click on the link below.

https://www.nafems.org

User Tip:

In RecurDyn, how do you select the nodes as shown below?

User Tip:

RecurDyn uses ‘Patch Sets’ to define contacts with flexible body elements.

Consider the model below that consists of 2 bodies, named RigidBody and FFlexShellBody. The left edge of the flexible body is fixed, and the rigid body moves up and down. Consequently the cylinders in the rigid body make contact with the flexible body.

To define the two needed contacts, create 2 contact entities between SetPatch1 (shown in yellow) of FFlexShellBody and the RigidBody.Unite solid geometry.

When defining contacts to both sides of a mesh defined with shell elements you need two contacts, but the User Tip is that you can use the same patch set for both contacts. This is done by setting the normal direction of SetPatch1 of the first contact to UP, and the normal direction of SetPatch1 of the second contact to DOWN, as shown in the dialog boxes below. This simple method enables both sides of the flexible body to contact with the rigid body while only requiring the definition of a single patch set.

For the full details, the example RecurDyn model, and for an animation of the working contacts please refer to the full article by clicking here.

Please note date change!

Wednesday, September 25th and Thursday, September 26th.

This event is FREE* to attend, register early to reserve your spot.