MORPHING THE GEOMETRY USING ANSA

MORPHING THE CAD GEOMETRY

AIM:

• To morph the CAD geometry using various options available in ANSA for Morphing.

MORPHING:

Morphing is the technique which is used to upgrade the existing model by transforming the model without any numerical inputs or any design consideration. Morphing is done to get the aesthetic preview of the model. Once the aesthetic view of the design seems satisfactory then the design team refines the model considering the load, Fatigue, aerodynamics, and comfort of the end user.

In ANSA before proceeding to any steps Geometry Clean-up and Orientation issues by default.

Importing the model from other software to ANSA results in some geometrical deviations which needs to be cleared before proceeding to other steps. To perform geometry check Tools->Checks-> Geometry. In General needle faces and Unchecked faces error occurred which is common while importing the model to ANSA from Modelling software. Images shown below were the geometrical errors showed up in the model while performing Geometry Check-up.

To clear these errors ANSA either we can use AUTO FIX option or Fixing the errors manually one by one.

• Auto FIX option by which ANSA detects the deviations and Heals by itself. to Auto Fix the Errors Right Click on the error and click on Fix now the error will be gone.
• To FIX the errors manually you need to find where the errors is occurring to know that Right click on the error and click Show only it will Highlight the error. To get the clear idea on the location of error we can get the neighbouring faces using neighbour option or by using AND Boolean Operation.
• Needle faces and Unchecked faces can be cleared using universal delete option once the errors were highlighted.

Now our geometry is clean without any translation issues or geometrical deviations so we can proceed to topological activity.

Once the geometry clean-up is over the orientation of the geometry need to be checked. Orientation in ANSA indicated by Grey or Yellow surfaces Grey surface usually acts as a positive direction and Yellow acts as a negative direction. Face is said to be inconsistent if one face having both the Grey and Yellow Colours. Faces->Orient option will fix this issue by changing one side of the face to be yellow in colour and other side to be Grey colour. Now the model is consistent.

On behalf of morphing we can even proceed without performing the geometry check-up as it won’t have any impact on the morphing model. But to get the proper model output we need to perform this check-up.

Process below shows how the model is morphed using the MORPH Module in ANSA.

MORPH MODULE is available in the Module deck shown below. Once the Morph module is activated it is indicated by the Morphing Active shown in the working area as shown below.

Step 1: To morph Model first we must create the Morph box. To create the Morph Box, Select Box->New dialog box opens as shown below, from the select the box type and the entity type from the select list in the dialog box.

Step 2: Select the geometry which needs to be morphed, here I have selected the fin like structures in the model. On middle click the morph box is created as shown below.

Step 3: Once the morph box is created. The nodes can be used to adjust the CAD model by using Box Morphing->Move command. Local coordinates to move the box can be created by right clicking on the point available at the COG of the morph box. Now select the nodes to be adjusted and on middle click the nodes will move in the directions enabled in the Control Points Movement Dialog box. In the model as I wanted to increase the height of the fins, I’ve enabled only x axis in local coordinates. If the local coordinates aren’t enabled the nodes will move with respect to the global coordinates in NASA. After adjusting on middle click, the morphed CAD will show up.

Step 4: In the model many morph boxes were created, and they have adjusted to change the design of the model. The list of images below shows the initial and final stages of the morph boxes to used morph the given model.

a)

b)

c)

d)

As said above the model is morphed as shown above without any numerical inputs like angle or dimensions to the model which have save decent amount of time. If the same need to be done on any 3D modelling software it would take some amount of time to achieve the model.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:

Morphing is basically used in all kind of industries from the automobiles to electronic components.

1. Automobiles:

Now a day’s automobile industries try to upgrade their existing vehicles with minimal changes in the Engine and Transmissions but with good aesthetics instead of designing a new model as it consumes much higher time than upgrading. Industries can launch approximately 2-3 upgraded vehicle models between the new design launches. To achieve that industries use morphing technique which allows the user to alter the existing design in the way he wants. Once the designer is satisfied with the aesthetic as well as the approximate aerodynamics then the design can be optimised.

Some of examples of this kind

1. Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire vs Maruti Dzire.
2. New model cars vs their Facelift version.
3. On behalf of bikes we can take Yamaha FZ Series.

2. Automobile Accessories:

Helmets were one of the most critical accessories considering Safety, Aerodynamics and Aesthetics. Kinks and Dents shaped cut designs were included in the helmets to improve their structural strength as well as aesthetic. The helmets design can be altered and compared with the original one using the Morph technique. While trying to morph the design it is important to consider the manufacturing feasibility and the cost of manufacturing as well.

For example, the MT brand helmets we’re available at different price ranges and look almost similar. Reason for the price difference will be basically due to the design cost, manufacturing difficulties and the improved safety features.

3. Electronics:

One of the best example of morphing in electronics is Mouse used for Computer we might have come across different mouse designs like the one fitting our palms perfectly, one with compact design, the gaming mouse with extra buttons and comfort in using them. These kind of designs can be finalised in morphing itself because only parameter we need to consider will be the comfort for the user.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Came to know about morphing concept.
• Understood how morphing technique is used in Automobile design.
• Learned to morph simple CAD models using ANSA.