Deactivate Coupling constraint

[FBMeca]

Hi everyone!

I'm simulating a deep-drawing analysis on ABAQUS CAE. In the first step of my simulation, I have a coupling constraint between two of the tools such that one tool has the same z-movement as the one from tool 2.
The results after this first step are correct. But now I want to add a second step to my simulation with different boundary conditions (tool movements, etc.). Can I deactivate this coupling constraint in Step-2 using some commands in my .inp file directly?

All I know is that coupling constraints are for some reason defined on all steps by default. Could someone tell me what the best solution is to this?
Thanks a lot for your help!

Fernand

 

[FEA way]

Constraints can’t be deactivated during the analysis but you could use eg. connector elements that might be removed with *MODEL CHANGE if it’s really necessary to connect both tools instead of controlling them separately.

 

[FBMeca]

Hi FEA way,

Thank you for your response. I'm not really used to connector elements and couldn't find my way around it, how would it work out in my case?
Both of the tools that should be connected are rigid, and have the same symmetry axis (the parts are axisymmetric imported rigid surfaces) along which they are moving (z-direction). Can I then "connect" both reference points? And what type of connector should I used (basic, ...) ?

I think I have to add a coupling as otherwise one of my tools is simply floating around and is not really constrained to anything. To avoid convergence issues I wanted to add this coupling such that my tool doesn't undergo any rigid body deformation..

Thanks again!

 

[FEA way]

Maybe a connection between both tools won’t be necessary. It’s not normally used in such analyses, it’s usually sufficient to apply boundary conditions directly to reference points of rigid parts. This way you restrain them against rigid body motion and control the displacement necessary during forming.