Page History

...

The shell models of the entire Subframe Part all need a thickness of 2.75  mm, (2.75e-3 m).

{html}<iframe width="600" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ug-q_fXFY_E?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>{html}

2. Coordinate Files

If we were to directly evaluate the imported geometry, ANSYS would consider the Truss as solid body objects, and generate a highly complex mesh on each of the Truss members by creating a mesh around each circular and rectangular tube.  This is wasted computational time.  Each of the Truss members is a simple beam, and can be evaluated using beam theory.  In order to tell ANSYS to compute it as such, we need to convert these members into line bodies and assign them a cross section.

...

You will need to change the Definition to "From Coordinates File", as well as the Operation to "Add Frozen," and then select your file and generate.  Adding Frozen means that the bodies created will not merge with existing bodies.

{html}<iframe width="600" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DeszlPRZ4to?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>{html}

Remember to select all the created line bodies and create a new Part out of them. I recommend naming it "Truss Assembly."

...

As you can imagine, there are times and geometries that this simple result will not happen. Always check the individual coordinate systems of the line bodies.

{html}<iframe width="600" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fg7l9vo3COg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>{html}

5. Geometry Connections

In the Setup portion, we will need to define the connections between the geometry pieces, specifically the line bodies we have defined as the truss supports.  The surface areas of the flexure mounts provide a good surface to define a connection between the line body and mounts.  However, we need to define the area where the line body connects to the circular mount pad: equivalent to the diameter of the truss' cross-section.

...