This commit completes the optimization loop infrastructure by implementing
the full FEM regeneration workflow based on the user's working journal.
## Changes
### FEM Regeneration Workflow (solve_simulation.py)
- Added STEP 1: Switch to Bracket.prt and update geometry
- Uses SetActiveDisplay() to make Bracket.prt active
- Calls UpdateManager.DoUpdate() to rebuild CAD geometry with new expressions
- Added STEP 2: Switch to Bracket_fem1 and update FE model
- Uses SetActiveDisplay() to make FEM active
- Calls fEModel1.UpdateFemodel() to regenerate FEM with updated geometry
- Added STEP 3: Switch back to sim part before solving
- Close and reopen .sim file to force reload from disk
### Enhanced Journal Output (nx_solver.py)
- Display journal stdout output for debugging
- Shows all journal steps: geometry update, FEM regeneration, solve, save
- Helps verify workflow execution
### Verification Tools
- Added verify_parametric_link.py journal to check expression dependencies
- Added FEM_REGENERATION_STATUS.md documenting the complete status
## Status
### ✅ Fully Functional Components
1. Parameter updates - nx_updater.py modifies .prt expressions
2. NX solver - ~4s per solve via journal
3. Result extraction - pyNastran reads .op2 files
4. History tracking - saves to JSON/CSV
5. Optimization loop - Optuna explores parameter space
6. **FEM regeneration workflow** - Journal executes all steps successfully
### ❌ Remaining Issue: Expressions Not Linked to Geometry
The optimization returns identical stress values (197.89 MPa) for all trials
because the Bracket.prt expressions are not referenced by any geometry features.
Evidence:
- Journal verification shows FEM update steps execute successfully
- Feature dependency check shows no features reference the expressions
- All optimization infrastructure is working correctly
The code is ready - waiting for Bracket.prt to have its expressions properly
linked to the geometry features in NX.
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
Implements NX solver integration that connects to running Simcenter3D GUI
to solve simulations using the journal API. This approach handles licensing
properly and ensures fresh output files are generated for each iteration.
**New Components:**
- optimization_engine/nx_solver.py: Main solver wrapper with auto-detection
- optimization_engine/solve_simulation.py: NX journal script for batch solving
- examples/test_journal_optimization.py: Complete optimization workflow test
- examples/test_nx_solver.py: Solver integration tests
- tests/journal_*.py: Reference journal files for NX automation
**Key Features:**
- Auto-detects NX installation and version
- Connects to running NX GUI session (uses existing license)
- Closes/reopens .sim files to force reload of updated .prt files
- Deletes old output files to force fresh solves
- Waits for background solve completion
- Saves simulation to ensure all outputs are written
- ~4 second solve time per iteration
**Workflow:**
1. Update parameters in .prt file (nx_updater.py)
2. Close any open parts in NX session
3. Open .sim file fresh from disk (loads updated .prt)
4. Reload components and switch to FEM component
5. Solve in background mode
6. Save .sim file
7. Wait for .op2/.f06 to appear
8. Extract results from fresh .op2
**Tested:**
- Multiple iteration loop (3+ iterations)
- Files regenerated fresh each time (verified by timestamps)
- Complete parameter update -> solve -> extract workflow
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
Integrate OP2 data extraction with optimization config builder:
- Add build_optimization_config() MCP tool
- Add list_optimization_options() helper
- Add format_optimization_options_for_llm() formatter
- Update MCP tools documentation with full API details
- Test with bracket example, generates valid config
Features:
- Discovers design variables from FEA model
- Lists 4 available objectives (mass, stress, displacement, volume)
- Lists 4 available constraints (stress/displacement/mass limits)
- Validates user selections against model
- Generates complete optimization_config.json
Tested with examples/bracket/Bracket_sim1.sim:
- Found 4 design variables (support_angle, tip_thickness, p3, support_blend_radius)
- Created config with 2 objectives, 2 constraints, 150 trials
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
Added complete working example with all NX result files for testing
and validation of the OP2 result extractor.
Files Added (examples/bracket/):
- Bracket.prt: Part geometry with expressions
- Bracket_sim1.sim: Simulation definition (SOL 101 Linear Statics)
- Bracket_fem1.fem: Finite element mesh
- bracket_sim1-solution_1.op2: Binary results (666 KB)
- bracket_sim1-solution_1.f06: ASCII results log
- bracket_sim1-solution_1.dat: Nastran input deck
- Supporting files: .diag, .f04, .log, .html, .png
Validated Results from OP2:
✓ Max Displacement: 0.362 mm (node 91)
- Primary direction: -Z (-0.354 mm)
- Load application point
✓ Max von Mises Stress: 122.91 MPa (element 79, CHEXA)
- Material: Aluminum 6061-T6 (yield = 276 MPa)
- Safety Factor: 2.25 ✅ SAFE
- Well below yield strength
Units Handling:
- NX units: mm, mN (milli-newton), kg
- Stress in OP2: mN/mm² = kPa
- Conversion required: kPa / 1000 = MPa
- Displacement: mm (direct)
Model Properties:
- Analysis Type: SOL 101 Linear Statics
- Elements: 585 (CHEXA hexahedral)
- Load: ~1000 N in -Z direction (3 application points)
- Constraints: Fixed supports at base
- Material: Al 6061-T6
Optimization Potential:
Current design has good margins:
- Displacement: 0.36 mm (could allow up to ~1.0 mm)
- Stress: 122.91 MPa (could allow up to ~200 MPa)
→ Weight reduction opportunity while maintaining safety!
This validates:
- pyNastran OP2 extraction works correctly
- Units conversion handling (mN → N, kPa → MPa)
- Multi-objective optimization is feasible
- Example ready for testing optimization workflow
This commit implements the first phase of the MCP server as outlined
in PROJECT_SUMMARY.md Option A: Model Discovery.
New Features:
- Complete .sim file parser (XML-based)
- Expression extraction from .sim and .prt files
- Solution, FEM, materials, loads, constraints extraction
- Structured JSON output for LLM consumption
- Markdown formatting for human-readable output
Implementation Details:
- mcp_server/tools/model_discovery.py: Core parser and discovery logic
- SimFileParser class: Handles XML parsing of .sim files
- discover_fea_model(): Main MCP tool function
- format_discovery_result_for_llm(): Markdown formatter
- mcp_server/tools/__init__.py: Updated to export new functions
- mcp_server/tools/README.md: Complete documentation for MCP tools
Testing & Examples:
- examples/test_bracket.sim: Sample .sim file for testing
- tests/mcp_server/tools/test_model_discovery.py: Comprehensive unit tests
- Manual testing verified: Successfully extracts 4 expressions, solution
info, mesh data, materials, loads, and constraints
Validation:
- Command-line tool works: python mcp_server/tools/model_discovery.py examples/test_bracket.sim
- Output includes both Markdown and JSON formats
- Error handling for missing files and invalid formats
Next Steps (Phase 2):
- Port optimization engine from P04 Atomizer
- Implement build_optimization_config tool
- Create pluggable result extractor system
References:
- PROJECT_SUMMARY.md: Option A (lines 339-350)
- mcp_server/prompts/system_prompt.md: Model Discovery workflow
