Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.

Chapter 9

CAD & Parameters

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CAD and Parameters
Chapter Overview Training Manual

• In this chapter, interoperability with CAD software as well as

parameters will be discussed.
A. CAD Interoperability
B. DesignXplorer Parameter Manager
C. Workshop 9-1

• The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable to

all ANSYS licenses. However, some CAD functionality are specific
to certain CAD software, so these will be designated accordingly.
– Not all CAD software have the same features, so there are some
differences in CAD-related functionality which is supported in
Mechanical.

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CAD and Parameters
A. CAD Interoperability Training Manual

• Numerous Geometry Interfaces are available for commercial CAD

systems:
– For the latest information on CAD geometry interfaces and supported
platforms see the ANSYS Workbench Mechanical documentation:
• Mechanical Help > CAD Systems
• Geometry Interface licenses can be run in reader mode for all licenses.
• Geometry Interfaces can be run in plug-in mode for the CAD software listed
under “Associative”.
– IGES Geometry Interface reader is provided for all installations.

• DesignModeler is the Workbench geometry application and supports all the

functions and capabilities listed for commercial CAD systems.

• Please note, not all import capabilities described here are available with all
CAD systems. Features depend on CAD capabilities and the support
provided through the CAD vendor’s API.

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CAD and Parameters
… CAD Interoperability Training Manual

• There are various items that can be

imported from supported CAD systems:
– Geometry, Spot welds, Parameters,
Material properties, etc.
• To access these import preferences use
the Geometry properties in the Project
schematic.

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CAD and Parameters
… Geometry Import Training Manual

• Import solid, surface, or line bodies:

– Assemblies with mixed solids and surfaces are
OK.
– Select desired geometry type to filter import.
– Cannot import a part with mixed solids and
surfaces.

• Use Associativity:
– Allows updating CAD geometry in Mechanical
without redefining material properties, loads,
supports, etc..

• Smart CAD Update:

– only modified components of a CAD assembly are
updated.

• Local Coordinate systems:

– Allows local CS from CAD models to import with
geometry. See current documentation for CAD
system support.

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CAD and Parameters
… Parameter Import Training Manual

• Parametric CAD dimensions can be

imported into Mechanical:
– When “Yes” (default), dimension names
containing the parameter key (default is
“DS”) will be imported into Mechanical.
– To import all parameters leave the
parameter key field blank.
– CAD parameters will appear in the Details
view for the Geometry.

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CAD and Parameters
… Named Selections Import Training Manual

• If “groups” are defined in the CAD

package they can be imported as Named
Selections:
– “Groups” containing the specified prefix
in their name are imported in the Named
Selection branch (default is “NS”).
– To import all groups leave the named
selection key field blank.

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CAD and Parameters
… Material Property Import Training Manual

• Material Properties: allow material

property import from supported CAD
systems (see the current documentation
for properties supported by various CAD
vendors.
• Materials imported from CAD will appear
in the “Engineering Data” branch and will
be assigned to individual parts.

• Note:
– If the material type is changed in CAD,
this will be reflected in an update.
– if the property values of the material
change in CAD, this will not update.
• This prevents overwriting user-defined
values in Mechanical.

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CAD and Parameters
Updating Modified Geometry Training Manual

• Updating geometry:
– After modifying the source geometry the
project schematic will show a refresh/update
state for the model (RMB to complete).
• Refreshing: reads the new geometry into the
analysis application but does not update the
finite element mesh.
• Updating: combines refreshing geometry and
remeshing the FE model.
Refresh needed

Refresh complete, update Update complete

needed
RMB for option

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CAD and Parameters
Updating Modified Geometry Parameters Training Manual

• Updating new parameter values:

– To access parametric data RMB (or double click) the “Parameter Set” from
the project schematic.

RMB or double Parametric values are displayed in several places in

click to access the parameter set. Any can be modified.
parameters

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CAD and Parameters
. . . Updating Modified Geometry Parameters Training Manual

• Return to the Project when parameter

changes are complete.

• Notice the Model and Geometry are now in

a refresh/update state.

• Refresh/Update the Geometry to send

parameter information to the geometry
source (CAD system).
• Refresh/Update the Model to apply
parameter changes to the analysis model.

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CAD and Parameters
Updating Geometry Notes Training Manual

• The magnitude of loads remain constant:

– Note: if pressure was applied on a surface and the surface area changed,
the pressure value remains the same but the resulting force being applied
on the surface will change.
• The orientation of loads will not change:
– If a load direction is specified using existing geometry, the direction of
the load will not change if the geometry changes.

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CAD and Parameters
B. Defining Parameters Training Manual

• Input and output parameters are defined in

Mechanical by toggling the parameter flag on/off. Example of input parameters
• Click in the square and a blue “P” will appear,
indicating that this quantity can now be manipulated
as a parameter.

• Material properties are parameterized in the

engineering data application.

Example of output parameters

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CAD and Parameters
Using the Parameter Manager Training Manual

• Workbench Mechanical uses the Workbench Parameter Manager to

manage parametric data from analysis and geometry sources.
• Derived parameters can be created and managed as well.

Double click or “RMB > Edit”

the “Parameter Set” to access
parameters.

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CAD and Parameters
. . . Using the Parameter Manager Training Manual

• Parameter information is presented in a series of tables.

– Outline: lists all input, output or derived parameters.
– Property: lists information regarding the parameter highlighted in the
outline.

Table of DP

Outline
Table of Design Points: allows
multiple parameter configurations
to be prepared before solving
Properties

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CAD and Parameters
… Using the Parameter Manager Training Manual

• After solving multiple design points several post processing tools are
available in Parameter Manager.
• Parameter Parallel Chart:

DP3
Each XY intersection
provides a snapshot of
all parameters for a
DP2 particular DP

Horizontal (X) lines

represent design DP0
points.

Vertical (Y) lines DP1

represent each
parameter (P1, P2,
etc.).
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CAD and Parameters
… Using the Parameter Manager Training Manual

• By highlighting parameters, different chart configurations can be selected.

With P1 highlighted notice the chart

options are with respect to this
parameter.
After selecting (double click) the desired
chart, the outline (below) can be
configured for display.

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CAD and Parameters
. . . Using the Parameter Manager Training Manual

• As charts are created they are listed

in the outline window and can be
retrieved by highlighting the chart
name in the outline window.

• By choosing “Parameter Chart”

users can build a custom chart
using any combination of
parameters.

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CAD and Parameters
… Using the Parameter Manager Training Manual

• Charts can be customized from the “Chart Properties” window.

• “RMB > Edit Properties” within the chart.

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CAD and Parameters
C. Workshop 9 – DesignXplorer Parameter Mgr. Training Manual

• Workshop 9 – DesignXplorer Parameter Manager

• Goal:
– Use the DesignXplorer Parameter Manager to specify changes
to the load magnitude and material properties of the model
shown below and solve all scenarios at one time.

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