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Lecture 9 L t CAD & Parameters

Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

Chapter Overview

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In this chapter, interoperability with CAD software as well as parameters will be discussed.
A. B. C. D. E. CAD Interoperability Defining Parameters in Workbench Using the Parameter Workspace Updating CAD Parameters Workshop 9-1

The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable to p g y pp all ANSYS licenses. However, some CAD functionality are specific to certain CAD software, so these will be designated accordingly.
Not all CAD software have the same features, so there are some differences in CAD-related functionality which is supported in Mechanical.

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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

A. CAD Interoperability

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Numerous Geometry Interfaces are available for commercial CAD systems:

For the latest information on CAD geometry interfaces and supported platforms see the ANSYS Workbench Mechanical documentation. Geometry Interface licenses can be run in reader mode for all licenses. Geometry Interfaces can be run in plug-in mode for the CAD software listed under Associative. d A i ti DesignModeler is the Workbench geometry application and supports all the functions and capabilities listed for commercial CAD systems. systems

Please note not all import capabilities described here are available with all note, CAD systems. Features depend on CAD capabilities and the support provided through the CAD vendors API.

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CAD Interoperability
There are various items that can be imported from supported CAD systems:
Geometry, Spot welds, Parameters, Material properties, etc.

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To access these import preferences use the Geometry properties in the Project schematic. h ti

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Geometry Import
Import solid, surface, or line bodies:
Assemblies with mixed solids and surfaces are OK. Select desired geometry type to filter import import. Cannot import a part with mixed solids and surfaces.

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Use Associativity:
Allows updating CAD geometry in Mechanical without redefining material properties, loads, supports, etc..

Smart CAD Update:

only modified components of a CAD assembly are updated.

Local Coordinate systems:

Allows local CS from CAD models to import with geometry. geometry See current documentation for CAD system support.
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Named Selections Import

If groups are defined in the CAD package they can be imported as Named Selections:
Groups containing the specified prefix in their name are imported in the Named Selection branch (default is NS) NS ). To import all groups leave the named selection key field blank.

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Material Property Import

Material Properties: allow material property import from supported CAD systems (see the current documentation for f properties supported by various C CAD vendors. Materials imported from CAD will appear p pp in the Engineering Data branch and will be assigned to individual parts. Note:
If the material type is changed in CAD, p this will be reflected in an update. if the property values of the material change in CAD, this will not update.
This prevents overwriting user-defined values in Mechanical. l i M h i l

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Parameter Import
Parametric CAD dimensions can be imported into Mechanical:
When checked, CAD parameter names containing the parameter key will be imported into Mechanical. To import all parameters leave the parameter key field blank. CAD parameters will appear in the Details view for the part.

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Note: CAD parameters are read only at read only this point.

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B. Defining Parameters in Workbench

Input and output parameters are defined in Mechanical by toggling the parameter flag on/off. Click in the square and a blue P will appear, indicating th t thi i di ti that this quantity can now be manipulated tit b i l t d as a parameter. Material properties are parameterized in the engineering data application.

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Example of input parameters

Example of output parameters

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C. Using the Parameter Workspace

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Workbench Mechanical uses the Parameter Workspace to manage parametric data from analysis and geometry sources. Derived parameters and constants can be created and managed as p g well.

Double click or RMB > Edit the Parameter Set to access parameters.

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. . . Using the Parameter Workspace

Parameter information is presented in a series of tables.

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Outline: lists all input, output or derived parameters. Property: lists information regarding the parameter highlighted in the outline.

Table of DP Outline Table of Design Points: allows multiple parameter configurations to be prepared before solving Properties

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. . . Using the Parameter Workspace

Example using design points: A CAD dimension has been promoted to a WB input parameter. The stress in a particular region of the model is promoted as an output parameter. The mass of the geometry has also been promoted to a parametric output.

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. . . Using the Parameter Workspace

Example . . . Opening the parameter workspace, the parameters can be seen in the outline.

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In the table of design points 3 g p new values are added to the current CAD parameter value.

From the top menu Update All Design Points is selected.

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. . . Using the Parameter Workspace

Example . . . The progress of the updates is reflected in the table. With updates complete various charts can be created to investigate the data.

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Stress vs Fill t St Fillet Radius

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Using the Parameter Workspace

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Additional processing in the parameter workspace: Parameter Parallel Chart shows configuration of all parameters per DP

DP3 Each E h XY intersection provides a snapshot of all i t ti id h t f ll parameters for a particular DP DP2 Horizontal, colored lines represent design points.

DP0

DP1 Vertical (Y) lines ep ese t pa a ete s represent parameters (P1, P2, etc.).
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Using the Parameter Workspace

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By highlighting parameters, different chart configurations can be selected.

With P1 highlighted notice the chart options are with respect to this parameter parameter. After selecting (double click) the desired chart, the outline can be configured for p y display.

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. . . Using the Parameter Workspace

As charts are created they are stored in the outline window and can be retrieved by highlighting them.

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Using a RMB in various areas of the g chart users can Edit Properties . . . to control colors, styles, symbols, interpolation type, etc. Legend, line display, background, etc..

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D. Updating CAD Parameters (From CAD)

Update From CAD (Project Schematic):

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After modifying the CAD geometry you will need to RMB and Update From CAD. This will update the Mechanical geometry to match the CAD system. Doing an Update, causes new geometry to be remeshed in Mechanical.
Note, you can simply Generate the mesh in Mechanical as well.

To allow bi-directional parametric p exchange the CAD parameters must be promoted.

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. . . Updating CAD Parameters (From Workbench)

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With CAD parameters promoted, they can be managed in the Parameter Set section of Workbench. Values modified, description added, expression entered, etc..

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. . . Updating CAD Parameters (From Workbench)

If CAD Parameter Changes are made in WB: Refresh Project: causes CAD and Mechanical geometry to update but does not re-mesh the FE model. Update Project: CAD and Mechanical models update and the FE model is re-meshed.

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Notes on geometry updates:

Th magnitude of loads remain constant: The it d f l d i t t Thus if pressure was applied on a surface and the surface area changes, the pressure value remains the same but the total force applied will change. The orientation of loads will not change: g If a load direction is specified using existing geometry, the direction of the load will not change if the geometry changes.

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E. Workshop 9.1 Parameter Management

Workshop 9.1 Parameter Management Goal:

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Use the Workbench Parameter Workspace to setup multiple scenarios to explore structural responses in the bracket shown. Material thickness will be varied in the gusset with the bracket thickness held constant then the process will be reversed.

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