9-1 ansys, inc. proprietary © 2009 ansys, inc. all rights reserved. february 23, 2009 inventory...

9-1ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 23, 2009Inventory #002593

Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.0

Chapter 9

CAD & Parameters

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualChapter Overview

• In this chapter, interoperability with CAD software as well as parameters will be discussed.A. CAD Interoperability

B. DesignXplorer Parameter Manager

C. Workshop 9-1

• The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable to 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.

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualA. CAD Interoperability

• 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:• Mechanical Help > CAD Systems

• 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”.– IGES Geometry Interface reader is provided for all installations.

• DesignModeler is the Workbench geometry application and supports all the functions and capabilities listed for commercial CAD systems.

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

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… CAD Interoperability

• There are various items that can be imported from supported CAD systems:– Geometry, Spot welds, Parameters,

Material properties, etc.

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

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual

• Import solid, surface, or line bodies:– Assemblies with mixed solids and surfaces are

OK.– Select desired geometry type to filter import. – Cannot import a part with mixed solids and

surfaces.

• 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. See current documentation for CAD system support.

… Geometry Import

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… Parameter Import

• Parametric CAD dimensions can be imported into Mechanical:– When “Yes” (default), dimension names

containing the parameter key (default is “DS”) 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 Geometry.

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… 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”).

– To import all groups leave the named selection key field blank.

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… Material Property Import

• Material Properties: allow material property import from supported CAD systems (see the current documentation for properties supported by various CAD vendors.

• Materials imported from CAD will appear in the “Engineering Data” branch and will be assigned to individual parts.

• Note: – If the material type is changed in CAD, 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.

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualUpdating Modified Geometry

• Updating geometry:– After modifying the source geometry the

project schematic will show a refresh/update state for the model (RMB to complete).

• Refreshing: reads the new geometry into the analysis application but does not update the finite element mesh.

• Updating: combines refreshing geometry and remeshing the FE model.

Refresh needed

Refresh complete, update needed

Update complete

RMB for option

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualUpdating Modified Geometry Parameters

• Updating new parameter values:– To access parametric data RMB (or double click) the “Parameter Set” from

the project schematic.

Parametric values are displayed in several places in the parameter set. Any can be modified.

RMB or double click to access

parameters

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual. . . Updating Modified Geometry Parameters

• Return to the Project when parameter changes are complete.

• Notice the Model and Geometry are now in a refresh/update state.

• Refresh/Update the Geometry to send parameter information to the geometry source (CAD system).

• Refresh/Update the Model to apply parameter changes to the analysis model.

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualUpdating Geometry Notes

• The magnitude of loads remain constant:– Note: if pressure was applied on a surface and the surface area changed,

the pressure value remains the same but the resulting force being applied on the surface will change.

• The orientation of loads will not change:– If a load direction is specified using existing geometry, the direction of

the load will not change if the geometry changes.

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualB. Defining Parameters

• 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 that this quantity can now be manipulated as a parameter.

• Material properties are parameterized in the engineering data application.

Example of output parameters

Example of input parameters

CAD and Parameters



Training ManualUsing the Parameter Manager

• Workbench Mechanical uses the Workbench Parameter Manager to manage parametric data from analysis and geometry sources.

• Derived parameters can be created and managed as well.

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

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual. . . Using the Parameter Manager

• Parameter information is presented in a series of tables.– Outline: lists all input, output or derived parameters.– Property: lists information regarding the parameter highlighted in the

outline.

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

Outline

Table of DP

Properties

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… Using the Parameter Manager• After solving multiple design points several post processing tools are

available in Parameter Manager.• Parameter Parallel Chart:

Vertical (Y) lines represent each parameter (P1, P2, etc.).

Horizontal (X) lines represent design points.

DP3

DP0

DP2

DP1

Each XY intersection provides a snapshot of

all parameters for a particular DP

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… Using the Parameter Manager

• By highlighting parameters, different chart configurations can be selected.

With P1 highlighted notice the chart options are with respect to this parameter.

After selecting (double click) the desired chart, the outline (below) can be configured for display.

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual. . . Using the Parameter Manager• As charts are created they are listed

in the outline window and can be retrieved by highlighting the chart name in the outline window.

• By choosing “Parameter Chart” users can build a custom chart using any combination of parameters.

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual… Using the Parameter Manager

• Charts can be customized from the “Chart Properties” window. • “RMB > Edit Properties” within the chart.

CAD and Parameters



Training Manual

• Workshop 9 – DesignXplorer Parameter Manager• Goal: – Use the DesignXplorer Parameter Manager to specify changes

to the load magnitude and material properties of the model shown below and solve all scenarios at one time.

C. Workshop 9 – DesignXplorer Parameter Mgr.

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