Tube frame

[stenjac]

Hey everybody,

I am learning how to use PRO-E.
My goal is to design the model of a small car frame and then export the model to Ansys for a FEA.
Unfortunately the tutorials I found on the web about PRO-E don't say anything about how to draw circular beams and attach'em together.
Do you any any suggestions to give me?
Thank you very much.

 

[3dlogix]

There are many ways to do this, one approach is to build a series of datum curves that define the tube centers, and where they meet. Then create the tubes using the sweep function (along each datum curves).

The intersection can be created by using the adjacent tube as a reference to make a sweep cut.

Hope this makes sense.

Steve

http://www.3dlogix.com

 

[yogeshb]

Beside the way whcih 3Dlogix has suggested as above, you can create this using pipe command too. For that you must have point co-ordinates data (X,Y,Z). To make pipe attached to each other, you have to have multiple pipe command with appropriate sequence.

Thanks
Yogesh Birari

 

[stenjac]

thanks a lot for both your replies.
They really helped, I am learning step by step to create the frame.
Bye!
Stenjac

 

[peglor]

One thing to note is that you will kill your computer trying to work with a 3D model of connected tubes to ANSYS. Meshing a model like this is guaranteed to cause problems as it's a large collection of thin features, so your element count will be massive. All you need to make an acceptable model of the frame is the curved surfaces of the tubes (Building shells at the centres of the pipe walls should give the best approximation). Then give the surfaces their thickness as a property.

Another option for more complex frames would be to build it completely using beam elements along the centre lines of the tubes and modelling the joints seperately if you're worried about them.

ProE has the option of creating shells automatically at the centres of walls while running in integrated mode with ProMechanica (I've played with it - I'm no Expert). I don't know if this function is exportable to other packages, though there is an integrated mode with ANSYS too AFAIK - Look in the ProE Config file and search for it.

 

[ProEpro]

You might want to create the tubes with swept surfaces instead of solids. It will be easier to create the joints by making a cut with use quilt.

ProEpro

http://www.whitelightdesign.com