Tools for FEM Creation

[MrRogers1987]

Most of the analysis I do currently is in NASTRAN. I am very familiar with that code's paradigms and associated tools for model creation, but recently have started getting work that requires ANSYS. I have become a little spoiled, for lack of a better word, by tools like HyperMesh and FEMAP which gives you unprecedented control when meshing complex geometries, setting up model connections, and just organizing your model in general. Both these software packages can also be used for exporting ANSYS models, but not very reliably and I always end up having to manually edit the decks by hand.

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with similar tools that are designed for (or at least play well with) ANSYS? I am not a huge fan of using Workbench or the standard ADPL interface because they are very automated and rely heavily on the geometry being perfect. Since many times I am using models that were given to me from an outside source this usually is not the case. I recently came across ANSYS ICEM CFD, which from my initial research sounds like it might be more in line with what I am looking for; If anyone has experience with that I would also like to hear it.

 

[meshparts]

Hi,

it's not really clear to me, what exactly to you want to do.

You want to generate Ansys models, without using Ansys?

In that case, what features exactly to you miss in Ansys WB or MAPDL.

What field of simulation / physics are you planing to use (structural dynamics, fluids, magnetics)?




Best regards
Alexandru Dadalau

MESHPARTS GmbH
Tuning Your Simulation

http://www.meshparts.de

 

[MrRogers1987]

Hi Alexandru,

Yes, I am looking for a software program to create finite element models for ANSYS other than WB or MADPL. It is not so much a specific feature that either of these are lacking, but more that I require something that is less automated. The quality of the meshes I've made in them is often relatively poor, and it is difficult to setup finite connections to simulate bolted joints and the like. The analysis will be mostly structural and CFD based.

It's possible that my issue is I'm trying to force NASTRAN paradigms onto ANSYS, such as using springs to model fasteners instead of using "spot weld" type commands.

 

[meshparts]

Well, besides HyperMesh, ANSA could also be an option. But as you said, they are limited in the number of supported element types and options.

My own software (Meshparts) is very good at reading, writing and Ansys input files (cdb format) but it's mainly for structural dynamics. It has it's strength in modeling assembling and parameterizing big multi-level assemblies but also in the integrated library of parametric mechanical components (including screws). It could be a solution for you, since you can mesh single parts with Hypermesh and then assemble in Meshparts.

And yes, each software has it's own paradigm, and choosing to not adapt to it, can lead to inefficient modeling effort.





Best regards
Alexandru Dadalau

MESHPARTS GmbH
Tuning Your Simulation

http://www.meshparts.de