CAD Assembly Import in to Abaqus

[VN1981]

Hello,
This question may have been asked here before, but I was not able to find any threads here.

I have a CAD assembly which contains a part (Stringer) which is repeated several times on a skin panel. The CAD assembly was created on Catia V5. Catia renames each instance of the part in the assembly module tree as 01, 02 etc. If I import the Catproduct in to Abaqus, I get Skin Panel along with each Stringer as a different part. Sure, the positions are maintained and everything in Abaqus, when I create an instance of all the parts in the Assembly.

Is there any way to let Abaqus know that the different Stringer parts are the same? The intent is to avoid extra work involved with meshing and other possible operations. If I set the Str as dependent instance in Abaqus, if I mesh the part, then the others will be automatically meshed. I have about 15-20 stringer repetitions in my assembly.

 

[rstupplebeen]

When you add a part instance into an Abaqus assembly you can offset it. I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen
Rob's Engineering Blog
Rob's LinkedIn Profile

 

[VN1981]

Let me try to explain my issue again with help of an image.

The stiffened panel is made of 3 parts: Skin, STRA (Str Type A) & STRB (Str Type B).

As can be seen in the assembly, STRA is repeated thrice and STRB is repeated twice. Catia V5 denotes each instance of the part as STRA.01, STRA.02 in the CATProduct module.

When I import the part (Catproduct) in to Abaqus and if I chose the option the option "Create Individual Parts", Abaqus creates a part for each instance present in Catia v5. Is there any way to tell Abaqus that STRA01, STRA02 etc are of the same part without having to reassemble them in Abaqus Assembly Container?

I have to extract surfaces for shell modeling and it is tedious to do that for each part in Abaqus. The intent is to have it done for one part and hopefully it will translate in to other parts automatically. Similar thing with meshing...can mesh one part and it will be reflected on all other similar parts!

 

[Mustaine3]

Instances in CAD are always translated into parts during import in A/CAE. I don't know why. Probably a limitation in the information that are available during transfer.

You could create the midsurfaces in CATIA, so they are also transferred to A/CAE.

Otherwise create a second/third instance of the first part, position it on the one that becomes reduntant and then delete/supress that reduntant instance.
So create a second instance of one STRA part and position it onto the other. Then delete the redundant one. Repeat if necessary.

 

[VN1981]

Hi,
Is there any way I can copy certain entities from one Part tree to another? I have defined couple of Composite Layups, which repeat for all other parts. Instead of defining the same thing for 20 parts, is it possible to just copy existing definition and I can just edit regions etc manually.

 

[VN1981]

Figured out a way to export the Layup Definition and read it back. Phew! Made my world a little easier now!

 

[VN1981]

Is there any way to make the various Abaqus options I chose to stick for ever? Like currently, I need to set options for visualization, Assembly module each time I open Abaqus or even within model.

 

[testing]

"Section 4.3.3 Customizing Abaqus/CAE Startup" in the Abaqus Installation and Licensing Guide is what you're after

 

[VN1981]

Thanks zwtipp05 for pointing me in the right direction. Will go through that Section.