Numerical Model

A numerical model is a geometrical representation of a product, generally in 3D, executed on computer in order to analyze it, to control it and to simulate some of them comportements.

In English, numerical model says " DIGITAL Mock-Up" or DMU

Examples

Control of effectivity

The user checks that there exists well a way making it possible to assemble the product which it has just defined.
This for example is used in auto industry to check the effectivity of complex subsets like an instrument panel.

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Control of noncollision along a trajectory

The user makes sure that his product will not return in collision with its environment, at the time of the course of a foreseeable trajectory.
For example, if the trajectory is that of a rocket on takeoff, the control of noncollision will be carried out between the rocket and its launching table.

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Simulation cinématique

Kinematic simulation makes it possible to animate a product by respecting its connections kinematics, then to analyze the product under operation:

*connaître the speed or the acceleration of a particular point

*déterminer volume wraps of a component

*s' to ensure of nonthe collision of a kinematic component with its environment

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Control of accessibility

Here, one inserts a mannequin in the numerical model and one checks that it as envisaged reaches all the composants.
This function is used much to simulate tasks of maintenance or MCO (Maintenance in Operational Conditions)

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Control of the design and esthetics

The numerical Maquette of aspect makes it possible to validate choices of design in terms of colors and matières.
For example, starting from the numerical model of the interior of a car, the numerical Maquette of aspect makes it possible to study and validate harmony of colors and matters.

Advantage of the numerical model

The numerical model initially makes it possible to include/understand a product before there exists physically. See the product is already to include/understand it. The technicians and engineers who define the product can discuss more easily on the possible technical solutions and can choose the best.
Then, controls and simulations realized on the product before there exists will make it possible to very early detect problems or errors. The more the problems are solved early, the less the correction will be expensive the company. The interest is thus not only technical, it is also economic.

Related fields

the CAD (Computer-aided design). The data analyzed out of numerical model were initially created some share: using the software of CAD which make it possible to build the shapes of the parts and to assemble them in a product.

the numerical Usine is the numerical model of a factory: this time, it is the factory which will be analyzed and simulated. One will be able to thus make function the factory virtually before it is built and thus locate problems like a bottleneck in a production line.

the Virtual reality. Here, the human being will be immersed in the model using a stereoscopic display device (immersif helmet or screen + glasses). The user will be able moreover interact with the model: to move elements, to feel the contact using an arm on return of efforts or very other haptic Interface.

the GDT (Management of the Technical data). The heavy numerical models (one speaks also " large assemblages") can contain hundreds of thousands of parts. This complexity must be managed. These problems (management) are not spring of the numerical model but of the GMN (Management of Numerical Model) or more largely of the GDT. It is treated by other software.

the modeling by finite elements studies the behavior of the product subjected to physical requests: forces of pressure or contact, aerodynamic loads or thermal. (one speaks then sometimes about behavioral numerical model)

Limits of the numerical model

The representation of the product numerical thus is inevitably simplified and idealized. For example, it contains neither the description of the internal molecular structure of materials nor possible dispersions on the states of surface.
One cannot all simulate with a numerical model!
The numerical model is not reality!

Software

There exist very many software of numerical model.
One of most known is " DMU Navigator" of Dassault Systems.
Patchwork3D of Lumiscaphe is used within the framework of the numerical Maquette of aspect.

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