EDEM API: Dynamic Material block creation

Bharath Rangavittal

Is there a way to create Dynamic material block using EDEM API? I could not find any EDEM API tutorials specific to dynamic material block factory creation. I am looking to create material block based on simulation custom property.

Thank You!

Bharath

Richard Wood_20774

Hi,

No, there isn't. Custom factories only allow you to create individual particles at a time (through createParticle), though you can loop over this to achieve whatever factory you like - including replicating a block factory.

I've no idea what it is you're aiming for but you could create a material block as normal in EDEM, export the particle positions, load those into a custom factory plugin (hardcoded or via preference file) and then generate those particles depending on your simulation custom property.

Cheers,

Richard

Prasad Avilala_20558

Richard Wood_20774 said:

Hi,

No, there isn't. Custom factories only allow you to create individual particles at a time (through createParticle), though you can loop over this to achieve whatever factory you like - including replicating a block factory.

I've no idea what it is you're aiming for but you could create a material block as normal in EDEM, export the particle positions, load those into a custom factory plugin (hardcoded or via preference file) and then generate those particles depending on your simulation custom property.

Cheers,

Richard

As Richard mention no Dynamic Material block.

However, I feel dynamic material block may not be required for most of the cases.

We have block factory which does similar functionality i.e We create small block and use the block to create bigger size.

You can go through the below link. Also, if you explain why, you are looking for Dynamic factory or use case maybe we can help you with work around, if we don't find a solution.

 

Tutorials, How To, Troubleshooting - EDEM Tutorial 13: Block Factory (altair.com)

 

Thanks,

Prasad A

Bharath Rangavittal

Hi Richard and Prasad,

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

I  am planning to create a material block (instead of creating individual particle through custom factory API) on the top of a vertical column of a packed bed when the height of the bed reaches below a certain value. The height of the bed reduces as the particles are getting removed from the bottom of the vertical column. I am tracking the bed heigh with the help of custom property. So the material block needs to be created multiple times depending on the bed height. 

 

It looks like Richard's suggestion is the only way around this. I will try implimenting this. However, any other suggestion or tutorials regarding this is much appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Bharath

 

 

Richard Wood_20774

Bharath Rangavittal said:

Hi Richard and Prasad,

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

I  am planning to create a material block (instead of creating individual particle through custom factory API) on the top of a vertical column of a packed bed when the height of the bed reaches below a certain value. The height of the bed reduces as the particles are getting removed from the bottom of the vertical column. I am tracking the bed heigh with the help of custom property. So the material block needs to be created multiple times depending on the bed height. 

 

It looks like Richard's suggestion is the only way around this. I will try implimenting this. However, any other suggestion or tutorials regarding this is much appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Bharath

 

 

You've maybe already seen it but the only tutorial we have around custom factories is:

https://community.altair.com/community?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0115860

Custom factories aren't used as often as custom contact models and body force models which is why we don't have a lot of content for them. That said, I'd argue they're more straight forward to implement but just make sure you don't get stuck in infinite loops generating particles or you'll find your system memory will fill up pretty quickly (almost immediately). The tutorial goes through how to avoid this though.

Richard