How to create a flexibody for use in a MotionView-EDEM co-simulation?

Hugh Smith

Hello,

I have got my MotionView and EDEM co-simulation working with a rigid body but am unable to analyse stress and strain in the single geometry part. I have been informed that I need to convert the rigid body to a flexbody and can do this through MotionView's built in FlexPrep. My question is how do I go about converting my SolidWorks model into a flexbody model into MotionView.

When opening up FlexPrep shown below, it asks for the bulk data file including the .fem file. How to I create a .fem file or any other suitable file from my solidworks model which I currently have?

I have installed Optistruct but I believe it is a mechanical solver so I am a bit stuck as I thought I had to create the model in Optistruct to get the .fem file?

Thanks,

Hugh

Praful

Hi Hugh

In order to generate a flexible body, you need a  finite element model, either in Optistruct FEM or Nastran BDF format.

You can import the solidworks model into Hypermesh and create a mesh. You may have to create rigid elements (RBE2 spiders) as needed at locations where the body attaches to other bodies. You identify the node numbers at these locations as interface nodes.

Export the HM model to .fem format and then you can use the Flexprep to generate the Flexible body.

Regards

Praful

 

Hugh Smith

Praful Prabhu_20784 said:

Hi Hugh

In order to generate a flexible body, you need a  finite element model, either in Optistruct FEM or Nastran BDF format.

You can import the solidworks model into Hypermesh and create a mesh. You may have to create rigid elements (RBE2 spiders) as needed at locations where the body attaches to other bodies. You identify the node numbers at these locations as interface nodes.

Export the HM model to .fem format and then you can use the Flexprep to generate the Flexible body.

Regards

Praful

 

Hi Praful,

Thankyou for the response that make perfect sense now, however I cannot figure out how to use HyperMesh.

What are the key things I need to do on HyperMesh to mesh the part seen beneath? It will just be a 'floating' tine dragged through a soil bin (Maybe pinned at the top to represent being mounted to a machine). I have had a play around and looked around on the web but I can't figure out how to successfully mesh the part.

Is there a video or help that would talk me through what I need to do?

Kind regards,

Hugh

 

Praful

Hugh Smith said:

Hi Praful,

Thankyou for the response that make perfect sense now, however I cannot figure out how to use HyperMesh.

What are the key things I need to do on HyperMesh to mesh the part seen beneath? It will just be a 'floating' tine dragged through a soil bin (Maybe pinned at the top to represent being mounted to a machine). I have had a play around and looked around on the web but I can't figure out how to successfully mesh the part.

Is there a video or help that would talk me through what I need to do?

Kind regards,

Hugh

 

Hello Hugh

There are Hypermesh tutorials. You may want to look at something basic like especially HM-3100

https://2021.help.altair.com/2021.1/hwdesktop/hm/topics/tutorials/hm/meshing_r.htm

Alternatively, I could show you something quickly one on one. please write to me to ppraf@altair.com

Regards

praful

 

AnanthK

Hi Hugh - Here's an easier path you might want to consider. Inspire can help create flexbodies very easily, without requiring much knowledge of the intricacies of FEA. The limitation is that it is only able to handle solid parts at the moment. There is a zip file available at the below link, please make sure to download it before August 25th, 2021. 

https://ftam1.altair.com/message/TtNSAVD1sOQsNY6HAxiEBU