Efficient numerical models have been already developed
in 2D to take into account the movement of electromagnetic devices
with rotating parts in the framework of the Finite Element Method
(FEM). When the movement becomes complex it leads to large mesh
distortions. A remeshing step is then required which increases the
computational complexity and can also lead, in some cases, to
numerical ripples on forces and torques due to the field
projections between old and new meshes. Moreover, remeshing
procedures in 3D remain an open topic. Meshless methods seem an
appealing choice for alleviating the mesh constraints. The Natural
Element Method (NEM) which, has known a growing interest in the
domain of mechanics, allows to proceed in the meshless framework,
avoiding one of the main drawbacks related to the vast majority of
meshless techniques, as is the imposition of essential boundary
conditions. In this paper, a variant of the NEM, known as
constrained natural element method (C-NEM) is applied for
simulating electromagnetic machines involving rotating parts. A
new mixed strategy combining the finite element and the
constrained natural element methods is proposed and then tested by
using an appropriate error estimator.