Streamlining ANSYS Project Automation with Python and a Custom GUI

Introduction: Many of us in the engineering and simulation field are familiar with managing ANSYS Workbench projects, often utilizing tools like Windows Task Scheduler (Schtask) for automation. Automation is crucial in these environments because it allows us to manage time-consuming simulations without constant manual intervention. But what if you could extend that functionality with a Python-based interface to manage and automate your ANSYS tasks more efficiently? Here’s how I achieved this with a custom Python GUI.

The Challenge: While tools like Schtask are helpful, I wanted something more intuitive and flexible, allowing for a more user-friendly experience when managing multiple projects and versions of ANSYS.

The Solution: I developed a custom Python application using Tkinter, a popular GUI library, combined with ttkbootstrap for a modern and clean interface. This tool allows me to queue ANSYS Workbench projects, select different ANSYS versions (like 2022R2 and 2023R2), and automate the solving process with just a few clicks.

Here’s a sample of the core functionality:

Command Line: subprocess.run([ansys_dir, "-B", "-F", file, "-E", "Update();Save(Overwrite=True)"], check=True)

This command updates the ANSYS project and saves it automatically, making the workflow seamless. On top of this, I built a Python GUI to simplify interaction and allow users to manage multiple tasks without manually entering commands.

A Real-Life Application: Imagine you’ve prepared all your simulations for the day but want the results ready by the next morning without staying late at the office. With this Python tool, you can queue your ANSYS analyses before you leave, set them to run overnight, and come back to results that are ready for review the next morning. This not only saves time but also maximizes your productivity, as you’re able to get more done without needing to babysit the simulation process.

Conclusion: If you're looking to optimize your ANSYS workflow, consider building a custom solution like this to save time and streamline processes. Python's flexibility allows you to integrate with various tools and create a powerful, personalized workflow.

Best Regards,

Alper