Known limitations and planned features

The following limitations apply to the current release of NoviPath. Each links to the article that discusses it.

• One part per tray. NoviPath simulates a single part; if several models are on the tray, only the first model added is analyzed (Tutorial: your first simulation).
• Loads and restraints in tray coordinates only. The current version does not apply loads or restraints along a face normal or in a local surface coordinate system. Loads and restraints are specified only in the global (tray) X, Y, Z coordinate system. Orient a force or moment by entering its individual XYZ components in the input fields. If the physical load is normal to a tilted surface (or otherwise not aligned with tray axes), compute those tray XYZ components outside the software and enter them manually. (Face selection vs. Shape: where loads and restraints apply.)
• Future versions are planned to support loads and restraints normal to the surface and in local coordinate systems, for greater modeling flexibility and ease of use.
• Over-constraint check for Face selection only. NoviPath rejects a restraint face that already carries a load, but the equivalent check for Shape-based boundary conditions is not implemented in this version (Why doesn’t NoviPath always detect over-constrained setups before the solver runs?).
• Outer surface only in the viewer. The viewer shows the outer surface of the finite-element mesh and of the results; clipping by layer does not reveal the interior of the part (Tutorial: your first simulation, Display toggles and the 3D viewer).
• Linear-elastic failure load. Failure load = applied load / Max FI assumes linear elasticity and proportional scaling of the whole load set (Failure load, Failure index and safety factor).
• Memory guidance. Suggested mesh factors target a computer with 8 GB of RAM; finer meshes may need more (Controlling mesh size with edge factors, The simulation fails or runs out of memory).

Support for loads and restraints normal to the surface and in local coordinate systems, and an overlap check for Shape-based boundary conditions, are planned for future releases. This article is updated at each release.