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SST getting started
This getting started guide provides a comprehensive introduction to thermal modeling using Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal (SST).
Preparing a geometry for meshing
This topic introduces the geometry creation and preparation workflow used in Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal. You will learn how to create or import geometry, modify and repair it for analysis, create associative copies for CAE workflows, and idealize the geometry prior to meshing.
Preparing a model for meshing
This is an objective-based lab. Instead of being provided a list of instructions, you are simply provided a scenario and problem statement to solve. Please work to solve the scenario of each activity listed below.

Knowledge base articles
Knowledge base articles provide concise, practical guidance for solving thermal, flow, multiphysics, space systems, and turbomachinery modeling challenges in Simcenter 3D.
SST getting started
This getting started guide provides a comprehensive introduction to thermal modeling using Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal (SST).
- Getting started with Space Systems Thermal
- Introducing the user interface
  This topic covers the user interface (UI) in Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal. You will learn how to navigate the modeling environment and how to efficiently use the available tools, menus, and commands to build, set up, and review your models.
- Simulation process
  This topic covers the typical simulation workflow used to perform thermal analyses.
- Preparing a geometry for meshing
  This topic introduces the geometry creation and preparation workflow used in Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal. You will learn how to create or import geometry, modify and repair it for analysis, create associative copies for CAE workflows, and idealize the geometry prior to meshing.
  - Create a simple model using a sketch profile
    Create a new part and a simple structure for solar panels on a spacecraft by extruding the sketch.
  - Creating midsurfaces before meshing
    Practice the workflow for creating midsurfaces using various midsurfacing strategies, and then generate a 2D mesh.
  - Preparing a model for meshing
    This is an objective-based lab. Instead of being provided a list of instructions, you are simply provided a scenario and problem statement to solve. Please work to solve the scenario of each activity listed below.
- Meshing a model
  This lesson introduces the core meshing workflow in Simcenter 3D Pre/Post, including element selection, mesh creation, mesh organization, and assignment of material and physical properties.
- Advanced meshing and assemblies
  This lesson covers advanced meshing techniques, including primitives-based modeling, mesh controls, mesh quality improvements, and assembly-level meshing workflows.
- Applying boundary conditions
  This topic covers boundary conditions, which define how heat is generated, transferred, and constrained within a model.
- Defining thermal contacts
  This lesson introduces thermal couplings and explains how conduction, convection, and radiation couplings are used to model heat transfer between unconnected or simplified regions of a model.
- Solving the model
  This lesson introduces the numerical solution techniques used by the thermal solver for steady-state and transient thermal analyses.
- Post-processing results
  This lesson introduces post-processing commands to help you review and evaluate simulation outcomes using visualization and data analysis.
- Radiation modeling methods and optical properties
  This lesson explains the two Radiation simulation object types and how each defines radiative enclosures and affects radiation calculation efficiency.
- Orbital modeling
  This lesson explains how to define orbit parameters and solar and celestial body characteristics to establish spacecraft position, orientation, and environmental conditions for space thermal analysis.
- Solar and planetary heating
  This lesson introduces solar and planetary heating, covering solar flux, atmospheric and ground effects, model orientation, and radiative heating for space and near-planet thermal analysis.
- Multilayer and thermal protection system modeling
  This lesson introduces multi-layer shell modeling to efficiently represent layered thermal structures, including thermal protection systems and insulation, using 2D meshes with through-thickness heat transfer.
- Material transformation
  This lesson introduces material transformation modeling, including phase change, ablation, charring, and thermo-optical property degradation, for simulating materials exposed to intense thermal environments.
- Articulation and motion modeling
  This lesson introduces articulation and motion modeling to capture the thermal effects of moving and rotating components, including their impact on view factors, heat loads, and radiation.
- Joule heating and thermal devices
  This lesson introduces Joule heating and thermal device modeling, covering coupled thermal–electrical simulation, electrical boundary conditions, and simplified modeling of Peltier coolers and heat pipes.
- 1D hydraulic network modeling
  This lesson introduces 1D hydraulic network modeling to simulate fluid flow, pressure losses, and convective heat transfer in duct systems using efficient one-dimensional elements.
- Mapping the results to another model
  This lesson introduces temperature result mapping between models and explains how to align source and target models for accurate data transfer.
- Customizing the thermal solver
  This lesson explains how to extend the thermal solver using user-written subroutines and plugin functions to model custom thermal behavior.
- Creating ESC models from PCB Exchange
  This lesson introduces the PCB Exchange application and explains how to import, validate, and prepare ECAD models for thermal and structural analysis.
- Electronics thermal management
  This lesson introduces electronics thermal management in space systems, focusing on heat dissipation mechanisms, cooling techniques, and thermal modeling of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic components.

Preparing a model for meshing

This is an objective-based lab. Instead of being provided a list of instructions, you are simply provided a scenario and problem statement to solve. Please work to solve the scenario of each activity listed below.

Download and extract the part files.

To prepare the brake assembly for meshing and thermal analysis, remove holes from the disk and the brake pads modify their dimension.

Question:

How to prepare the brake assembly for meshing, when the designer informed you that the design will change and asked you to change its dimension before performing the thermal analysis?

Instructions:

In the brake_assembly_preparation folder, open the brake_assembly.prt part file and explore it.
Start the Pre/Post application and create a FEM from the brake assembly using the New FEM command.
- Use the Simcenter 3D Multiphysics template.
- Set Bodies to Use to Select and select all bodies.
- Use the Coupled Thermal-Structural analysis type.
In brake_assembly_fem1_i.prt, WAVE link all the solid bodies or promote them.
- When you create the WAVE link, hide the original bodies or set the reference set for the WAVE linked assembly component to empty.
Use synchronous modeling to remove:
- The four holes from the disk.
- The small holes on the brake pads.
- 5 mm height from both pads.
Fix the interface between the disk and the brake pad in the –Y direction, which you can see using clearance analysis, or when you switch to the Fix the interface between the disk and the brake pad in the –Y direction, which you can see using clearance analysis, or when you switch to the Wireframe with Dim Edges rendering style.
Here are some ways to fix the interface:
- Trim the brake pad polygon body using the Split Body or Trim Body commands to remove the part of the pad that is interfering with the disk.
- Move the pad 5 mm in the +Y direction.
- Make the inner disk part smaller using the Radiate Face command.
Edit the FEM to include the disk and the pads' modified bodies to use instead, of those selected before.
The FEM file is now ready for meshing. You will mesh all the bodies in the same FEM in the next lab.

You have completed this lab.