b'Engineer Innovation | AutomotiveFigure 4: Power transformer modelled in Simcenter 3D. The recent electromagnetics module adds to the NVH, CFD and other multidiscipline capabilitieselectromagnetics and electric machineexpertise is too scattered, or perhaps design. (For the record, Simcenterthey are nor regarded as lying within Motorsolve has featured a thermalthe purview of the designer, or quite analysis link since 2008.) simply some issues just seem so obviousuntil there is an unsolved Can I count on the software?issue, of course. In an ideal world, cross-couplings should be solved as genuine closelyBearing failures due in part to shaft interdependent problems. But there arecurrents. always exceptions. For example,Lets take a brief example. You might temperature changes can greatly affectthink this is out of place since this the magnetic properties of variousarticle deals primarily with materials. How do you simulate thatelectromagnetic and mechanical accurately? And, by way of contrast,aspects of machine design. However, in even though many equations are thepractice, a large percentage of serious same in magnetics and some othermachine faults are due to bearing disciplines, the underlying physics arefailure, and these failures are due to not always the same.bearing currents. This is one of those tricky problems, where a machineSo just to reinforce this point. Solvingoperates for many years, faultlessly, electromagnetic and associated electricand then suddenly breaks down. This problems requires some or all of thehas to be avoided at all cost. The Maxwell equationsso make sure youbreakdown is often due to some type of brush up on your physics. (James Clerkelectromagnetic interference driven by Maxwell who laid the foundation forelectromagnetic fields (EMFs) that modern-day physics, was anothercreate some form of magnetic genius, somewhat less flamboyantasymmetry that in turnthan Tesla.)create shaft/bearing currents. Nothing may happen until the oil film is And one more point. One majorpunctured, but when this happens the concern is that some advancedelectric field strength exceeds a critical electromagnetic topics seem to fall intovalue, and pitting occurs. Over time, a gap. They are not taught onthis causes the bearing to fail. (Voil, undergraduate courses because theelectromagnetics in bearings failures.)42'