Algor import question

[eleblanc]

I run Inventor and Algor, Is it possible to import in Algor from inventor a model that would carry over skeleton model of a frame (construction lines) and all other 3D parts into algor.

We do structural frame and there are also alot of bended plate. Trying to mesh the full inventor 3D is hard and not the way to go. So i would like to bring into algor my skeleton that i use to built the frame from structural beam and with the 3D sheetmetal items. I would then use the lines from my skeleton to do the beam element and use plate and midpoint mesh for the sheetmetal?

running 2010 in both software.

Thank you

 

[rybose]

How do you plan on connecting the midplane mesh to the beams?

As far as getting the 'skeleton' geometry into ALGOR from Inventor, this is something that I've spent a lot of time trying to do. I haven't found an automatic way to do it.

The best workaround I've found is to:
1) In Inventor, place datum points on the joints of the frame.

2) In Inventor, create a drawing that dimensions these datum points relative to some convenient coordinate system.

3) In ALGOR, recreate the datum points as construction points using the drawing dimensions. Consider rounding off the dimensions to even numbers to make life easier.

4) Connect the dots with lines to create your frame.

5) Subdivide beam elements as necessary.

6) To model the gussets, create triangular meshes attached to the beams. The tricky part is getting the nodes to align with the beam elements. You can always delete beam elements and reconnect them to the plate mesh manually.

This method has a lot of labor involved upfront, but the final model is very easy to modify and optimize i.e. you only need to move points to try different beam lengths. This way also involves no CAD model imports .... no defeaturing steps etc.

 

[GBor]

How are you trying to export from Inventor and import into Algor? Are you using INCAD for Inventor, or are you exporting as IGES, STEP, etc. and importing? You may be able to draw the 3-D construction lines and use the .dxf export and import. IGES, STEP, etc. consider 3-D elements. You can set .dxf to only translate line elements, etc...at least, you could 100 years ago (OK, maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but not as much as it used to be