Week 8

WEEK 8

BASICS OF MORPHING USING ANSA

OBJECTIVE:

• Importing the required geometry into ANSA.
• Clean up the geometry until no topological error is found.
• Use required tools in ANSA and morph the geometry.

ABSRTACT:

In this challenge ANSA pre-processor is used to morph the given geometry using the required tools. It is basically changing the shape of the model without changing the numerical values. Transforming the whole shape will take lot of time and effort whereas through morphing changing the shape will be quick and easy process.

INTRODUCTION:

Morphing is basically undergoing different transformations i.e. changing the shape of the body without changing the numerical values. Morphing structures, defined as body panels that are capable of a drastic autonomous shape transformation, have gained importance in the aerospace, automotive, and soft robotics industries since they address the need to switch between shapes for optimal performance over the range of operation. With consumer interest constantly shifting from one thing to another, retailers are looking to stay one step ahead by offering designs that can easily adapt and change. Therefore, morphing will play a major role in the designing of components. I’ll include some pictures of cars which are designed through morphing.

Morphed car models

Morphed designs by popular car companies

PROCEDURE:

Step 1: Import the CAD geometry and do Topo ( Faces --> Topo) as it is done to stitch the surfaces.

Performing topo for the geometry

Topo done for whole geometry

Step 2: Box morphing: It can be done for both FE model and geometry. In this challenge geometry is morphed using different morphing techniques. 1^st switch to morph module and select the region which must be morphed using new option (morph module --> New --> Ortho).

Box morph for ribs

• As a result, a Box type of structure will be formed with control points at the edges. These control points can be moved so that the model can be transformed into different shapes. If you move the control points the entities inside the box only will be affected.

Box type morph with control points generated

• MOVE OPTION: Now use Box morphing à Move option to transform the entities inside the box in any direction using coordinate axis. Therefore, ribs are morphed easily without changing any geometrical values.
• Always select control points before moving.

Selecting control points to move

Ribs morphed in Y coordinate

• Similarly, for all features a box type morph can be applied and control points can be moved to generate morphing. This method is very effective for simple modifications of all the features.

Morphed features

SPLIT OPTION: Using split option, one can divide the box which is created using new morph option. This can be done in multiple ways.

• Using, user cut we can click anywhere to divide the box morph.
• By using number option ANSA automatically splits the box morph according to the number specified by the user.
• By parametric cut the user can specify the distance of the split. The box will be divided according to the value given by the user.

Split using parametric cut

• Whole geometry can also be morphed in one shot using box morph and split option. Then the control points can be moved according to the required coordinate.

Box morph and split generated for whole geometry

• After morphing, one can use Boxes --> delete option to delete all the box morph i.e. the green lines.

Deleting box morph

• Therefore, morphing can be very effective as it can alter the shape of geometry or FE model easily. I have mentioned the total morphed model in the below picture.

Geometry after morphing

LEARNING OUTCOME:

1. Understood concept of morphing.
2. Used box morph, generated splits, moved the model in different coordinates.
3. Used different tools in ANSA to transform the given geometry.

CONCLUSION:

In this challenge I have successfully imported the model and did geometry clean up with no errors. I have successfully created the box morph and divided it using split. I have moved them in different directions. Also read about some real-life morphed designs related to automotive industry.

Model of ANSA file link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gEw3Fbm-IjTMJcCsxzE34BukeEjQFPF7/view?usp=sharing