abaqus combining parts

[machinist10]

Hello all,

I have a pro/engineer model of a large exhaust fan. It is created as a shell. This is what I do.
I save the part as a igs file and import it to Abaqus/CAE.

I import is as shell and check the analytical model only option. It transfers the file but gives me an error message something like invalid geometry.

once I copy the file name under the part, it explodes it to its components. There are total of 200 surfaces in the model.
When I examined the parts clearly, I have seen that most of the individual parts are not connected. They are all disconnected and there is no continuity in the model.

My question.

What do I need to do to combine and make a single piece out of those 200 individual shells. The parts are perfectly combined in pro-engineer but when I import the file to abaqus/cae for some reason, I see gaps and "cracks" among the parts.
I need an expert advice.
kind regards,
machinist10

 

[corus]

You could firs try and mend the geometry in the parts module first and then use merge in the assembly module. If you have any odd cracks then you could use virtual topology to mesh parts.
Persoanlly I find it a waste of time trying to import geometry as there aer so many errors in seemingly 'perfectly combined parts' from the CAD program that it's quicker just to draw it up in Abaqus CAE from the start (depending on whether you have a few parts or 200, of course).

Tata

 

[rstupplebeen]

Try importing the file back into ProE and see if it has errors. That is usually my first check. I greatly suggest exporting as a SAT or Step. SAT is CAE's CAD kernel so it is usually your best bet.

I do not know what the tolerance of ProE is but I have had many issues going from Catia to CAE because Catia uses a lower tolerance for the geometry than CAE needs. Going from Catia>SolidWorks>CAE fixed most of my problems.

I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

 

[OptiEng]

I agree with Rob, I also seem to have more success using STEP exports/imports (Solidworks to Abaqus).