Interface Types
Interfaces connect components or surfaces in a model.
Creo Simulate creates
default interfaces to connect components in an assembly model. You can create interfaces in an assembly or a part model by clicking
Refine Model >
Interface. In the FEM mode, you can connect
quilts using the interfaces.
Creo Simulate uses following types of interfaces to connect coincident components and surfaces in a model.
• Bonded—You can use this interface in the structure and the thermal module. The components or surfaces connected with the Bonded interface always remain touching each other during analysis. The applied forces transfer between the connected components or surfaces.
Creo Simulate creates a measure to calculate the resultant force over a Bonded interface. During meshing, the coincident nodes of the mesh on these components merge.
• Free—You can use this interface only in the structure module. The components or surfaces connected with the Free interface remain separate from each other. The applied forces do not transfer between the connected components or surfaces.
Creo Simulate does not create any measure for a free interface.During the AutoGEM meshing, the nodes on the connected components do not merge. During the FEM meshing,
Creo Simulate can create compatible mesh on the connected components.
• Contact—You can use this interface only in the structure module. The components or surfaces connected with the Contact interface have the freedom to remain separate from each other. The applied forces transfer between the connected components or surfaces.
Creo Simulate creates a measure to calculate the resultant force over a contact interface.
You can create a Contact interface with infinite friction and also check slippage in the contact region. You can specify the Coefficient of Friction to check the slippage. Creo Simulate creates Slippage Indicator Measures and a measure to calculate tangential traction across the interface.
• Adiabatic—You can use this interface only in the thermal module. The components connected by this type of interface remain separate from each other. Heat does not transfer between the components or surfaces. The properties of Adiabatic interface are similar to Free interfaces. During the AutoGEM meshing, the nodes on the connected components do not merge. During the FEM meshing,
Creo Simulate can create compatible mesh on the connected components.
• Thermal Resistance—You can use this interface only in the thermal module. The Thermal Resistance interface creates a thermal gap between the connected components and surfaces. The interface region has a conductivity different from the conductivity of the components. Heat transfers between the components and you must specify the heat transfer coefficient.
To know more about how
Creo Simulate treats two plates connected using different types of interfaces, see
Example: Interface Types.