preprocessor that can import 3d iges file 3

[alisari61]

I am looking for a preprocessor that can import 3d iges file and automatically mesh it.

Any suggestion on that?

Thank you.

 

[trainguy]

Try FEMAP.

It works.

tg

 

[GBor]

http://www.roshaz.com

(reasonably priced, interfaces with Calculix - free, open source, powerful solver -, has some solving capability)

http://www.femap.com

(interfaces with most commercially available FEA software, moderately priced last time I checked)

Most commercially available FEA packages can read an .IGS file, but I assume you are trying to avoid the cost of the processor.

 

[40818]

Patran.

Why would you want to automatically mesh the model prior to making sure/how you want to mesh it??

Sounds like over-reliance on using a pre/post processor and too little understanding on the theory behind the number-cruncher.

No offence.

 

[alisari61]

The issue is to import 3d (solid) iges file and being able to mesh it using a preprocessor. Actually, I do not mind meshing automatically or manually.

I have a preprocessor (lsprepost), I can import iges file but I can only generate surface meshes (automatically or manually)not a volume (3d) meshes.

Thank you.

 

[40818]

My point was that you can get the black box to do things that make the model cr8p. Unless you understand how the solver operates and works you wont even know what your doing is incorrect/badly modelled.

iges files tend to be made up of geometric entities (surfaces,points,curves) and not dumb solids. So when you import it you have no solid if you wish to mesh with solid elements. You would first need to create a solid model from the independent separate geometry. If your iges file comes in as solid then you need to be able to model in 3d elements, and by the sounds of your post, if you cant mesh in solids anyways then your stuck unless you change to another option. I would recommend the nastran/patran option as its stable, well trodden and easy to use.

 

[johnhors]

40818

The Iges standard has included water tight solid BREP volume entities for many years (entity number 186) ! Most CAD systems such as Catia V5 have an option to select between a solid-shell IGES export or a trimmed surface export (which you described). Patran amongst all the other pre-processors is quite capable of importing these volume entities from IGES, which requires only a translation of the volume into the form used by the pre-processor with absolutely none of the merging and stitching that is required with trimmed surface entities.

Patran IMHO is long past its sell by date, MSC recognise this and have been developing a replacement for several years (SimXpert), I saw a demo video of this over two years ago and am beginning to wonder when it is going to be released to the world at large!

 

[alisari61]

Johnhors:

Thank you very much for the info.

As far as I understood, I need to use a solid-shell export for iges to export iges file and Patran is capable of importing and meshing the volume entities.

Is that right?

Thank you.

 

[johnhors]

Yes !

Assuming that you are using Catia V5 the uploaded jpeg shows the setting, otherwise any other CAD system will require an equivalent setting. If your geometry isn't too complex then Patran will cope, but if you are yet to acquire the software then there are plenty of better and cheaper solutions available. There is even a free-ware mesher call tetgen which may be adequate for your needs.

 

[rstupplebeen]

What solver and preprocessor are you using? Many FEA programs come with a preprocessor bundled. As far as I know ALL current preprocessors can import and mesh IGES files. Here is a list of the ones I have used recently: Abaqus CAE, Ansys Workbench, MSC Patran, Femap. I am also sure that programs like Hypermesh and Ansys Icem can. I hope this helps.
Rob Stupplebeen

 

[alisari61]

I am using ls-dyna and preprocessor is ls-prepost. The geometry is a solid (3d, volume). I exported iges file using solid-shell iges export method from solidwork as johnhors recommended it.

Now, the issue is ls-prepost doesnot import the volume although I used solid-shell iges export. it only recognizes the perimeter - surface - and meshes the surface. So, I can not get 3d mesh or 3d model.

It looks like Patran can import the volume (3d geometry) and mesh it. However, I do not have Patran yet, I have FEMAP but never used it before. Do you think FEMAP can import the 3d geometry (iges file)and mesh it automatically or manually?

Thank you.

 

[trainguy]

alisari61,

I've just tried the following:

Saved an Inventor file as iges.

Import this iges file into FEMAP (file/import/geometry)

Unselected all iges read options except "Read solids"

It worked - now I have solids, surfaces and curves in FEMAP

Then Geometry/Solid / add - to combine all solids into 1 solid part.

Then, Mesh/Geometry/solids.

I had a mesh in about 5 minutes.

tg

 

[GBor]

Short answer on FEMAP...yes.

 

[rstupplebeen]

SolidWorks can export many formats. See what ls-prepost can import and try them all. Step might be a good starting point.