Tutorial - Using FloXpress in Solidworks?

Sudhir Gill

2 Feb, 2012 04:49 PM

Here is the Tutorial

1. Step 1:

   Open the Part File. The File used is attached in the last step.
   

   

2. Step 2:

   First of all we have to create lids to close the open pipe. These lids are also used to define the boundary conditions (Inlet/Outlet).

   Choose Sketch.
   

   

3. Step 3:

   Choose the first face to create the lid
   

   

4. Step 4:

   Normal view.
   

   

5. Step 5:

   Select Convert entities option.
   

   

6. Step 6:

   Select the inner circle of the face.
   

   

7. Step 7:

   Click OK.
   

   

8. Step 8:

   Choose Extruded/boss in features tab.
   

   

9. Step 9:

   The extrude property manager will show.
   

   

10. Step 10:

    In extrusion type choose mid plane. Because in most of the problems we requires surface contact rather than a line contact.
    

    

11. Step 11:

    Change the height to 2mm. The height of lid is kept same as the thickness of pipe.
    

    

12. Step 12:

    Uncheck the Merge result. Because we want different bodies.
    

    

13. Step 13:

    Click OK.
    

    

14. Step 14:

    Repeat the same steps with other two openings.
    

    

15. Step 15:

    Click Tools>>FloXpress..
    

    

16. Step 16:

    The FloXpress Property Manager will show. Click Next.
    

    

17. Step 17:

    Click View Fluid Volume to check the fluid volume.
    

    

18. Step 18:

    The Volume will be highlighted. Click Next.
    

    

19. Step 19:

    In this type choose the type of fluid. We will keep Water for default fluid.
    

    

20. Step 20:

    Under Inlet conditions choose Pressure.

    

21. Step 21:

    right click the face and select the Select Other option and choose the inner face of the lid (you can cycle faces by right clicking the body).
    

    

22. Step 22:

    Let's keep other settings same. Click Next.
    

    

23. Step 23:

    Choose Pressure for Outlet type too.
    

    

24. Step 24:

    Under Outlet face select the inner face of the lid.
    

    

25. Step 25:

    Change the pressure value to 10000. Since the direction of flow is always from high pressure to lower pressure. if the value of pressure is higher at outlet than it will not flow. Click next.
    

    

26. Step 26:

    Click Play to solve the model. It will take a while.
    

    

27. Step 27:

    Under vector plot you can click play to see the animation of flow of water.
    You can also generate report for the same part.
    

    

28. Step 28:

    After you are done, click OK.