Sign-up for free online course on ANSYS simulations!You can import geometry from a CAD package such as Pro/Engineer or SolidWorks into ANSYS by following the instructions below.
Import Geometry
In your CAD package, save your geometry in Parasolid format. A Parasolid file commonly has the extension .x_t in its name.
In ANSYS, select
File > Import > Para
Browse to your parasolid file and click OK
Change display mode from wireframe to solid facets: Utility Menu > Plotctrls > Style > Solid Model Facets
Select Normal Faceting and click OK.
Re-plot volumes in order to see normal faceting: Utility Menu > Plot > Volumes
Rescale Geometry
When importing, ANSYS always scales the geometry to meters. To scale back to, say, mm from meters, use:
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Operate> Scale> Volumes
Select Pick All.
For RX, RY, RZ Scale factors: enter 1000 for each
For IMOVE Existing volumes will be: select Moved and click OK
Check Geometry
Turn on keypoint numbers: Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering
Turn on Keypoint numbers and click OK.
List keypoint coordinates: Utility Menu > List > Keypoint > Coordinates Only
Spot-check X,Y,Z locations of selected keypoints against CAD drawing. Once you are satisfied that the keypoint locations are correct, you can turn off keypoint numbers: Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering
Turn off Keypoint numbers and click OK.
Glue Volumes
You need to glue volumes so that common surfaces (i.e. areas) are shared between the crank and the pedal shaft. Otherwise, ANSYS considers these to be two unconnected, independent parts. (I often forget this "glue" step and it comes back to bite me in sensitive spots of the anatomy).
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Booleans > Glue > Volumes
Click Pick All to glue our two volumes together. Note that there are no visual indicators of whether or not the volumes have been glued. You should check the Command Window and look for the "GLUE VOLUMES" command.