Importing CAD Geometry into ANSYS
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 as parasolid.
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 > List > Keypoint > coordinates only
Spot-check keypoint locations against solidworks drawing. You need to glue volumes so that common surfaces (i.e. areas) are shared between the crank and the pedal shaft.
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.