Lecture 7:

Introduction to Advanced Topics

16.0 Release

Introduction to ANSYS DesignModeler

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March 2, 2015

Introduction to Advanced Topics

In this lecture we will learn about:
Geometry Import Properties
CAD Connections
Uni/Bi-Directional Connectivity
Parameters handling
Some advanced topics

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Geometry Properties (1)

Import and data transfer related properties
Applicable for imports
Most of the settings done through
Basic Geometry Options
and Advanced Geometry Options

Basic Properties
Parameters option for importing
parameters defined in CAD package
Parameter Key filters the parameters from
CAD that enter Workbench
If not specified, all parameters enter WB
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Geometry Properties (2)

Basic Properties (cont.)
Named Selection
Define in CAD & transfer to WB
Filter under WB

Set to NS (by default) remove it to import all parameters

Activate WB option

Geometry import / named selections

Advanced Properties
Select Use Associativity to establish association between CAD
and WB
Import defined CAD properties :
Coordinate Systems,
Work Points, etc.

Smart CAD Update

Changes made in other options get updated in the mode
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Workbench:
Tools Options

CAD Connections : Approach I

Uni-directional connectivity
Import neutral/native CAD files directly into Design Modeler
Import I

Import II

In workbench project page

File/import
Import

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Geometry cell on project page

Import III
In Design Modeler page
Multiple imports possible
Appends geometries

CAD Connections : Approach II

Bi-directional connectivity
Launch Workbench from CAD System
Bi-directional CAD connectivity

Export parameters from CAD to Workbench

Parameter change in CAD reflects in
Workbench and vice versa

Direct connection in UG NX

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Bi-directional import from DM

Attach to Active CAD Geometry

Imports active CAD geometry in DM
Can attach only saved CAD sessions

CAD Connections & Parameterization

CAD Connection
Parameterization
What is it ?
Helps execute a set of operations repeatedly with different input values
Useful for analyzing multiple design points
By modifying geometry/topology parameters

Parameters can be either used for :

Sketch dimensions, Plane creation inputs, 3D operation values, etc.

Parameters can be linked with each other through expressions

Defined in Design Modeler or Workbench

Parameters can be controlled from Workbench

No need for Design Modeler to be opened

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Types of Parameters
Geometric parameters
Changes the dimensions or locations of a given
feature
Does not necessarily change the total
number of entities in the model

Topological parameters
Modifying the feature itself by adding or
removing geometry
Can change total number of entities in the
model
Parameterized
number of copies
in a pattern

Parameterized
dimension
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Bi-directional CAD Connectivity & Parameters

Parameters
Hole diameters
Number of holes
Parameters from
CAD to WB
Design Modeler

CAD Parameters

Pro.Engineer
Parameters from
WB to CAD
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DM Parameters

Creating Parameters in Design Modeler

Procedure

Any input prefixed with the symbol can be parameterized

Toggle to D to parameterize that particular input

Default Parameter Name Pattern
Feature Name.Dimension Reference
Parameter name can be changed

Example:

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A dimension reference (H1) for a sketch

created on the XYPlane = XYPlane.H1

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A dimension reference (FD1) for

Extrude1 = Extrude1.FD1

Parameter Manager
Accessible from the Toolbar or Tools menu

Design Parameters tab

List the existing parameters & assigned values

Parameter/Dimension Assignments tab
Contains expressions
relating the original dimension reference to the
value set in the Design Parameters tab
This 2 defined parameters become obsolete
and can be suppressed (or deleted)

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Create the needed expressions &

Check to evaluate them

Parameter Manager
Parameters created in Design
Modeler can be managed in:
Parameter Editor in DM
Parameter Set in WB
Linked together &
Updated in background

Expression can be created in the

Outline of All Parameters in WB
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Multiple Design Points can be created

using different values of the parameterized
independent variable

Miscellaneous Topics

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Advanced Sweep Options

Sweep Options

Scale

Taper or expand the Profile as it is swept along the path of Sweep

Twist Specification
No Twist : Helical sweep is not created
Turns : Specify number of turns to complete over the path length
Pitch : Specify length per 1 full turn

4m
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Body Operation: Move, Align and Orient

Using By Direction option, one can align bodies by using alignment
vertices for aligning axes of bodies and orienting bodies with respect
to each other.

User needs to select bodies, pair vertices

for Source & Destination Move and
directions for Source & Destination Align
and/or Source & Destination Orient
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Coordinate File for 3D Curve

A coordinate file must be a simple text file in the following format:
The pound sign (#) indicates a comment
Empty lines are ignored
Data consists of five fields, all on one line, separated by
spaces and/or tabs:

Group number (integer)

Point number (integer)
X coordinate
Y coordinate
Z coordinate

A data line cannot contain the same Group number and

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Sequence number as a previous data line.

For a closed curve, the point number of the last line should
be 0. In this case, the coordinate fields are ignored.

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Managing External Files

The WB project file structure provides a directory named

user_files
The WB protects this directory and ensures that it is
managed and archived appropriately.
Files from separate applications that are associated
with this project can be safely stored in this directory.
CAD data (imported geometry data) should be stored
here, especially if you intend to transfer the project to
another computer.
When the project is reopened and the CAD data is not
saved in user_files WB will prompt you to locate the file:
From the View Menu, select Files.
Right click on the relevant file in the list and select Repair
filename.xxx.
Browse to the file in the user_files folder.
The new path will be saved with the project.

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Example
Project Directory

Named Selections : Propagation Property

Yes

Original Selection

No

Merge

Split

Copy
Yes Selection propagates to all resultant entities
No Selection propagates to just one of the resultant entities or destroyed
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Workshops
Do any 2 OR 3 workshops from Workshops number 7a, 7b, 7c and 7e

7a
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7b
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7c

7e

Summary
What have we learnt in this session?

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Geometry Properties
CAD Connections
Parameters

March 2, 2015