Simcenter STAR-CCM+ How do I find the Contact Surface between two specific Parts for use in Reports and Scenes?

In a Parts based workflow it is often beneficial computationally to reduce the number of regions and interfaces.  It is also often the case that the Geometry Part Surfaces are not split and named separately, so finding the object for reports or debugging contact surfaces can be difficult.

For example, with Block Parts with a default surface name, after an Imprint or Contact Creator operation a new class of surface called a Part Contact Surface is generated, as shown in the following image.  With the default naming convention, it is difficult to know which surface corresponds to which part.

This article will show you how, with the use of filters, you can find the part surfaces generate by contacts between specific parts.

Firstly, you need to create a filter (1_PartContact) with the following predicates;

• Type is Part Contact
• Relationship referencing [Select first Part]
• Relationship referencing [Select second Part]

To get the Type is Part Contact you can go in the Simulation Tree to Geometry>Contacts and drag and drop one of the folders.

Next create a Second Filter (2_PartSurfaceContact);

• Type is Part Surface Contact
• Relationship below in tree 1_PartContact

Again you can drag and drop a contact in the subfolder to get this specific Type.

Now create a third filter (3_PartContactSurface)

• Type is Part Contact Surface
• Relationship referencing 2_PartSurfaceContact

This surface type is not on the main simulation tree so the best way to select this is via the filter Type is Other (drop down list) and navigate to a Part Surface that has a subfolder as shown in the top image.  Note you will need to have had a Imprint or Contact Creator Operation activated.

Now you can use this third filter for the query entry for you Reports and Object Displayers.