Learning Forum

[balsaidi]

I am trying to slides components of body within certain limits. I created the model in SolidWorks and I need to analyze it in ANSYS structural. Does ANSYS has the capability to define sliding multiple components to certain limits? is there any materials that you can share with me please in this regards? Attached, please find some images of created model. 

 

Thanks,

Bashir

[Sandeep Medikonda]

Bashir,

I am not sure I follow your question? Can you elaborate? You can always define displacement boundary conditions right?

Regards,

Sandeep

[balsaidi]

Hello Sandeep,

My model is 3D shell body. This body consists of multiple components that can slightly slide along one direction such that this shell would has the capability to extend in one direction without generating any stresses. I was able to generate this model in SolidWorks and was able to define sliding limits for these components as  shown in attached pdf file. I need to re-create same model in ANSYS and do some structural analysis on it. I don't know how to define sliding limits for these components in ANSYS! Any help?

 

Thanks,

Bashir 

[Sandeep Medikonda]

Bashir, 

I've personally not heard of such a feature and I am struggling to understand the purpose of doing this even. Maybe someone else on the forum might have a better idea.

In general, Solidworks models can be imported as dummy non-associative models using the Reader or Associative models using the plugin. You might be able to import the whole SolidWorks model with all its features using the Plugin, please see this section of the help.

Regards,

Sandeep

[balsaidi]

Sandeep,

Thanks for your help, unfortunately, the model can not be imported from SolidWorks to ANSYS along with all defined mates. It imports the components to ANSYS as individual parts.

Thanks,

Bashir

 

 

[Sandeep Medikonda]

Are you using the Reader or the Plugin? If you are using the reader, I am not surprised and it will import these as dummy parts.

Regards,

Sandeep

[balsaidi]

Sandeep,

What are the differences? would you please explain to me how to use a model as Plugin?

 

Thanks,

Bashir

[Sandeep Medikonda]

Bashir,

  Please see the help documentation link I provided above:

The existence of the Plug-in is recognized by SOLIDWORKS based on registry entries. After opening a document in SOLIDWORKS, if the ANSYS (version specific) menu is not displayed in the SOLIDWORKS menu bar, check if ANSYS (version specific) is listed in the Available Add-Ins list box of the Add-in Manager dialog box (Tools> Add Ins).

It needs to be within SolidWorks, please check if you have access.

Regards,

Sandeep

[peteroznewman]

Hello Bashir,

I understand how this mechanism works, I see how it can extend and collapse without any stress on the links.

Are these links resting on a surface to keep them all flat?  You have to construct that body also.

In ANSYS you can analyze applying a tension force on a fully extended set of links. Since the force going through all the links is the same (if you neglect friction on the support surface) all the links in the middle will respond the same way. Therefore I recommend you study just a three link chain, and pay attention to the response of the center link. The first link will have a fixed support, the second (middle) link will be fully extended, and so will the third link. The third link will have a tension force applied.

Frictional Contact will be defined on the faces where the first and second link touch, and where the second and third link touch. Frictional contact will also be defined between each link and another body that is the surface on which they lie.

While you could make a 3D model, I recommend starting with a 2D model.  A 2D model will run much faster and is easier to get it to solve. To make a 2D model, create surfaces (not solids) that represent the side view of the links, but those surfaces must be in the X-Y plane.

It's important that the position of the links be fully extended because ANSYS Static Structural must start with contacting faces touching.

Export those end faces as a Parasolid and you can import that Parasolid into DesignModeler or open it in SpaceClaim.

The other thing you could do is apply a compression force on a fully collapsed set of links (or a 3 link chain). But there may be a load that causes the chain to buckle up off the surface.

If you want to see the links slide along the surface as they go from fully collapsed to fully extended, that is not done with Static Structural. That is a Rigid Dynamics type of model.  Are you more interested in applying tension to a fully extended set of links, or do you want to see the expansion and contraction of the links?

Regards,

Peter

[balsaidi]

Dear Peter,

May I get your email address to share my model with you?

 

Thanks,

Bashir

[peteroznewman]

Dear Bashir,

I limit public access to my email, so I don't put it in any posts on this public website.

You can put the SolidWorks part and assembly files in a zip file and attach it after you post your reply, as long as the file size is < 120 MB.

I have SolidWorks 2017 available on my computer. I can also use ANSYS 17.2 which I read you use from your other post.

Regards,

Peter

[balsaidi]

Dear Peter,

Any update regarding a model that I sent to you?

 

Thanks,

Bashir

[peteroznewman]

Dear Bashir,

How did you send me a model? I didn't provide an email address.

In my post above, I said to put the SolidWorks part and assembly files in a zip file and Attach it after you post.

Do that I will be glad to help.

Regards,

Peter