Simulating a MAGLEV train with COMSOL

[berry123]

TL;DR Summary

This is for AC/DC and electrical engineering.

So I am currently trying to model a MAGLEV train using COMSOL (high school research project). My project uses AC and DC motors as alternatives to the current maglev infrastructure and transportation. I first created a prototype through CAD Onshape, then created it in real life and applied my DC Motors, and ran the maglev on a track provided in the classroom. I collected data such as the time for the distance it ran (for each motor) and I am now computing for other variables such as acceleration, velocity, and force.

I need to use COMSOL to both: Simulate my prototype with an AC motor (by uploading my model on CAD into COMSOL) because AC motors are too costly and dangerous to use for the purpose of my research, optimize the maglev with the dc motors AND ac motors on COMSOL to gather data on how the maglev would work in a real-life situation, and conduct a Finite Element Analysis.

Could someone help me get started?

 

[paradisePhysicist]

Are we trying to build an actual simulation simulation, or more like just trying to make a cool looking 3d video? Does COMSOL simulate accurate magnetic fields?

 

[berry123]

I am trying to actually simulate it. I have my model imported from COMSOL and I need to add an AC motor from the applications library and simulate it, as well as figure out some equations (mainly kinematic).

Then I need to conduct a finite element analysis for like a real-world situation

 

[f95toli]

This sound like something that should be doable in COMSOL.
However, I don't understand what it is what you are actually trying to simulate.
That is, which parameters are you trying to calculate?

Also, whereas it is possible to import the actual CAD model you should only do so if you absolutely have to. You should always try to simplify the model as much as possible; COMSOL is very powerful but you can easily end up with a model that can't be solved on a regular computer in a reasonable amount of time.