Importing Assembly (multi-part) geometry in pymapdl

[CollinsJnr-001]

I have an assembly from Solidwork in .IGS format and I want to import it in pymapdl.
When I do this it collapses the entire assembly and shows it at the origin of local coordinate of individual parts.

Is it possible to have the global coordinates of the assembly retained in pymapdl?

[mikerife]

Hi @CollinsJnr-001
MAPDL supports Iges version 5.1; if Solidworks has the option try exporting that version. Or try exporting parasolid format instead (native Solidworks). If that does not import into MAPDL then do you have access to DesignModeler or SpaceClaim? If so import into one of those and export out a ANF format file (MAPDL geometry format). The you can 'input' the anf file into MAPDL.

Mike

[CollinsJnr-001]

Thank you @mikerife Parasolid worked just fine. I have checked the documentation for this, and it says I have to use VGLUE, CEINTF, and CONTA12 .

But now I have to define the contact the surfaces and I have 107 parts. is there a better way to create these contact surfaces, or do I only have to manually find volumes with a common area first and create contact surfaces (Which might take forever)?

Thank you in advance

[mikerife]

Hi @CollinsJnr-001
Well there are a few ways to address the contact creation aside from manual creation.

1 Use the MAPDL "General Contact" capability. Please first read the MAPDL Help -> Contact Technology Guide -> General Contact section. There is a lot there. Then maybe practice in MAPDL interactive with a small assembly of 2-3 parts to get used to the procedure. Then implemet in PyMAPDL script with your model.

2 Add PyMechanical to the overall workflow. Use PyMechanical to read in the CAD file; auto-generate the contact pairs; then write out a input file. Move to PyMAPDL and input the written file and go from there.

3 Write your own Python + PyMAPDL script to search for 'close' areas and generate a contact pair.

Mike

[CollinsJnr-001]

@mikerife
Thank you so much.
I wrote my own Python + PyMAPDL script but I will try other options for better results.

Your replies has been very helpful.
I'm super grateful.

[mikerife]

@CollinsJnr-001 Cool! If it's not considered IP post the script, I'd love to see it and test drive it myself.