Getting started with MolFlow
Simulating with Molflow consists of 3 steps. The best way to learn them is to go through the quick start tutorial.
Import or create the geometry
By geometry, we mean the polygons (facets) which are the wall of your vacuum system.
Using MolFlow
MolFlow contains basic geometry editing functions (see the relevant webinar episode], allowing you to design basic shapes, extrude them and perform modifications such as cuts and boolean operations. The resulting geometry is of high quality (few polygons which are oriented following the logics of your shapes).
Importing from CAD
If you have your geometry in a CAD program, make it as simple as possible, then export it in STL format. When you do that, take care of the following:
- STL files contain only coordinates, but not the units. Usually you need to choose the units when exporting. You can choose anything, but remember your choice, it will be useful when you import the file.
- Then import the geometry to Molflow. You will be asked what units your CAD program was exporting with, then all units will be converted to centimeters, the default unit in MolFlow.
Then, to merge the triangles into facets, you will have to collapse your geometry.
Set physical parameters
What you have imported so far is the pure geometry. You need to define desorption and pumps, or in simpler terms, where particles come in and where they go out. To do this, read the particles in and particles out sections of the facets parameters panel.
You can also change simulation settings, such as gas mass and background collisions.
Post-process and interpret results
Run your simulation and get the results (pressure, most notably). For this, you will need profiles, textures and even histograms or particle log. The best way to learn how to set them up is by following the quick start tutorial.