Best software for 3D shell/plate geometry modelling (for FEA purposes)

[EngineerMickeyMouse]

Hi All!

I would like to ask you, what is your favourite software and why, which you are using for creation of various shells and plates geometry in 3D space (which is next being exported to FEA software)?
I am looking for your recommendation as well as few words about the feature available at your software you are finding extremely useful.

Thanks!

 

[JGard1985]

We use Solidworks to develop geometry (.stp, or .iges) which we push into ANSYS LSDYNA. We use ANSYS workbench to develop mesh. We are looking at Spaceclaim to develop geometry.

Some things to look for:

1. IMO one of the most important feature is the ability to go backwards (i.e. edit geometry) without your FEA package totally loosing all material properties, contacts, loads and supports. Using solidworks we can only upload geometry files and there is no guarantee that ANSYS will identify correct surfaces when we refresh geometry

2. Another great feature to look for is the ability to simplify large solid geometry to shells in the FEA model or integrated geometry package.

3. Ability to mesh across multibodied parts, i.e the mesher understands contact surfaces and aligns nodes directly across from eachother on contact faces.

Jeff
Pipe Stress Analysis Engineer

http://www.xceed-eng.com

 

[scheah]

EngineerMickeyMouse,

I've been happy using Space Claim for geometry preparation for use in Ansys Workbench. It is intuitive to use after getting the hang of it. For shells and plates, it does mid-surfacing well and extends surfaces smartly. It also directly links to Ansys Workbench allowing for some parameter studies. As an Ansys user yourself, give it a try.


Best regards,
Jason

 

[TibiX]

We use a Greek software ANSA which I consider way better than HyperMesh. It allows (like HM) to work with several solvers.
I only used the following preprocessors so far: ANSA, HyperMesh and ANSYS Classic. What I can tell you is that HM will open just about any geometry, but ANSA can delivery some amazing work. If price is no issue, buy ANSA.

http://www.beta-cae.com/ansa.htm

http://www.altairhyperworks.com/product/hypermesh