Use of different connectors to attach various parts of the model in HyperMesh

OBJECTIVE:

Attach various parts in the model by using connector utility in HyperMesh. Some part should be connected by specified connector property as mentioned in the problem statement.

PROCEDURE:

• Open the given model in HyperMesh. Mesh the surface with 2D shell elements by auto mesh option. Now select the connecting parts one by one.
• Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1 should be connected by Seam-Quad (angled+capped+L). Go to 1D>connectors>seam>type and select the Seam-Quad (angled+capped+L) connection.
• Select the nodes by path along the seam and select the appropriate components for connection. Given higher tolerance value around 10, so the elements near selected nodes are recognized easily. Set the desired weld angle, cap angle and runoff angle. Hit the create option to create the connection.

Fig 1.1: Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1 connection

• Similarly, Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1 are connected by Quad elements. Select the nodes, components, tolerance value and type as Quad elements. The connection is shown in the figure below.

Fig 1.2: Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1 connection

• Now, select Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1 to create Spot weld with 3 Layers and 5 mm Diameter. Go to 1D>connectors>spot and select type weld. Set the diameter as 5mm and other properties as mentioned above and create the connection. The created connection is depicted below in the figure1.3

Fig 1.3: Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1 connection

• Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1 are connected by Hexa (Adhesive). Go to connectors>seam and select the type Hexa (Adhesive). Fig 1.4 shows the Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1 connection.

Fig 1.4: Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1

• Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2 and Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2 are connected with Bolt Connector. Select the 1D>connecters>bolt option and select type bolt(general) for both the connections. Figure below depicts the created connection. The distorted mesh after creating connection is corrected.

a) b)

Fig 1.5: Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2 (a) and Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2 (b) connections

• Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2 are connected with Spot-weld with Rigid Elements. Go to 1D>connectors>spot and select type rigid. The connection is shown below.

Fig 1.6: Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2 connection

• Similarly, Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2 is connected with Spot-weld with Spring Elements. Just change the type to spring and follow the same procedure as above.

Fig 1.7: Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2 connection

• The rest of the connections are created depending upon the mating parts. One of the connection is shown below in the figure.

Fig 1.8: Reinf_Plate, Front_Truss_1 and Front_Truss_2 connection

CONCLUSION:

• Various types of connectors are available in connectors library in HyperMesh. The properties like tolerance value, height(for seam quad angled+capped+T), weld angle should be selected properly according to the application.
• The bolt connection will distort the mesh region near the connector holes. So, these regions should be remeshed to get a proper mesh.
• The connector realization is an important factor and should be addressed properly for every connection.

Project link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zMNG2MpLgmS4MwIPX8KAco31OrEepVF3