AN 2013-06-03

Created using V6R2013x

Surface partitions are performed on a solid part to facilitate localized application of loads and boundary conditions. In this post, we will focus on partitioning a surface using a default plane. To demonstrate this procedure, the geometry of a connecting lug is considered.

The Problem: How do you partition a surface on a solid part so that simulation features in ExSight (such as a load) can be applied to a portion on the surface? In this example, the goal is to apply a pressure load to the bottom half of the hole in the connecting lug.

The following are two images that show how pressure is applied before and after the partitioning process.

Before partitioning, the pressure is applied to the entire hole thereby expanding it uniformly.

After partitioning, the pressure can be applied to either the top or the bottom half of the hole.

Solution

Here is the summary of the workflow.

In the Generative Shape Design workbench,

1. Extract the surface to be partitioned.

2. Split the extracted surface.

In the Part Design workbench,

3. Sew the extracted surface back onto the solid.

To create the partition, you will have to switch between the Part Design and the Generative Shape Design workbenches. You will first have to extract the hole as a surface. This operation is done in the Generative Shape Design workbench (Insert>Operations>Extract).

After extracting the hole surface, you'll have to split this surface into two halves using the global XY plane and retain only the bottom half (Insert>Operations>Split).

Now, switch to the Part Design workbench and sew the bottom half of the surface onto the solid (Insert>Surface Based Features>Sew surface).

Narrated video

Below is a narrated video that explains the process of partitioning a surface.

Now you try it!

A ZIP file containing two 3DXMLs is attached with this post. One 3DXML contains the geometry without any partitions. The other one is the final file with the partition. Click below to download.

Things to remember

Here are a few things to remember while doing a partition.

1. While extracting the hole as a surface, make sure you select No continuity (or) Tangent continuity and then select the hole. If you choose Point continuity, the entire connecting model will be selected.

2. While performing the split operation, feel free to use any other custom defined planes to partition the surface. It is not mandatory to use the default planes that are available.

3. While sewing the surface onto the solid, make sure you toggle OFF the Simplify geometry option.

References

SIMULIA V6 Training class "Introduction to ExSight"

Click here to know more about how to partition a planar surface using a sketch.

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