A process is a set of interrelated tasks that when linked together transform inputs
into outputs.
Examples of a Process
A basic example of a process is a simple math calculator. Advanced
processes that pertain to Computer Aided Engineering include:
Load Data Signal Analysis
Finite Element Meshing
Report Generation
Constructing Processes
You create processes with a network of black-box tasks that exchange and
pass data via ports. You also specify connections externally to a
task.
Tasks
A task is the smallest identifiable unit of work in a process, and typically includes
inputs and outputs. Sets of tasks chained together in a sequence form a process.
Tasks in a Process
Processes used across industries include common tasks that are typically
repetitive in nature. Automate lets you save and repeat these common
tasks in endless combinations to form different processes, without
changing the configuration of the tasks.
Examples of Tasks
The following table provides examples of processes and their related
tasks. The first example includes a simple calculator process followed
by three typical Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) processes.
Process
Tasks in the Process
Simple Math Calculator
Set values.
Set the math operations to be performed:
addition, subtraction, multiplication or
division.
Obtain a result.
Sample Load Data Signal Analysis
Import raw data.
Filter raw data.
Export a process signal in the required
format.
Sample Finite Element Meshing
Import IGES files.
Invoke batch meshing.
Run quality check.
Export meshed model.
Report Generation
Import results files.
Create envelope across a load step.
Create hot spots.
Publish a PowerPoint presentation.
Basic and User-Defined Data Types
A data type is a classification of the type of data that a variable can hold. Data
types can be common or user-defined.
Basic Data Types
The basic data types are integer, double and string.
User-Defined Data Types
Object-oriented language lets you create custom or user-defined data
types that define the behavior of the data.
Inputs, Outputs and Parameters
Inputs, outputs and parameters are defined as follows:
An input or output can be a simple data type, such as a string or integer,
or a user-defined data type, such as a channel or result. Inputs or outputs
defined with user-defined data types facilitate the building of a scalable
process.
Parameters are invariants of a task, and are independent of inputs and
outputs.
Any task in a process can include inputs, outputs and parameters.
The following examples describe the inputs, outputs and parameters associated with
the tasks of a process.
Example: Simple Math Calculator
A task in a simple math calculator process includes the following
inputs, outputs and parameters:
Task
Input
Output
Parameters
Math
Data-1, Data-2
Results
Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide
Graphically the math task is represented as follows: Figure 1.
Example: CAE Sample Load Signal
A task in a process for a CAE Load Data Signal Analysis includes the
following:
Task
Input
Output
Parameters
Input raw data
File
Channel object
Filter raw data
Chanel object
Channel object
Filter type
Low cut off frequency
Upper cut off frequency
Export signal
Channel object
File
Format type (.rsp)
A task, input and output are represented graphically as follows:
Task
Graphical Representation
Input raw data
Figure 2.
Filter raw data
Figure 3.
Export signal
Figure 4.
Ports
A port is an entry and exit point for the input and output flow of information for a
particular task. The following is a graphical representation of an Input File port
and Output Channel Object port. Figure 5.
Port Compatibility
The ports of two blocks are compatible if the ports have the same data type. If the
ports are compatible they can be connected.
Figure 6. Two Connected Math Tasks. The connection is valid because the ports are compatible.
Generic Port
A generic port is a special port that you can use when you do not know the exact
number of ports required for a particular task. The generic port allows connection
to any number of registered inputs. Below is a graphical representation of an input
to a generic port. Figure 7.
Task Types
Interactive
A task that requires user intervention is called an interactive task.
Some examples of interactive tasks are:
Importing a file from an Import File
dialog.
Selecting a set of elements in HyperMesh.
Selecting a curve in HyperGraph.
Contouring results.
When running a process, if the software encounters an interactive
task, the simulation pauses and the interface of the task is exposed.
After entering the required information for the task, the simulation
resumes.
Automatic
A task that requires no user intervention is called an automatic task.
Some examples of automatic tasks are:
Batch meshing.
Converting file formats.
Super Task
A super task is a bundled set of tasks or a bundled process that you can use as a
component or sub-process inside of a larger process. You can save, catalog and reuse
a super task as you would a single task.
Expose Port
The Expose Port option graphically exposes the inputs and outputs of a super task.
You expose ports in order to connect them to other tasks and super tasks.
Package
A package is a method to deliver and distribute a process. A package includes all of
the inputs and reference files of a process in addition to custom task files that
may have been created for the process. A package is organized with directories for
each of the various parts of the process.
Catalog
A catalog is a collection of reusable tasks grouped for convenience by subject, for
example Durability catalog and NVH catalog. You can also create your own custom
catalogs.
