Week - 8 - Morphing

OBJECTIVE:

To perform morphing operation on the given models to achieve the required shape.

INTRODUCTION:

MORPHING: 

Morphing is an adaptation of given shape to a new form. The geometry of a given concept model can be modified to required proportions to create new designs. CAE Morphing allows users to work on the FE mesh directly reducing the time taken to go back to the designer to update the geometry.

Shortening design cycles and reducing development costs are the key objectives in the current vehicle development programs. CAE Morphing minimizes the time spent on design modification by working directly on CAE models, thus avoiding the dependency on updated CAD models and avoiding the time-consuming simulation-preparation activities. It allows easy transformation of CAE models from the original design to a new concept.

PROCEDURE:

MODEL – 1:

1) Open the given model in ANSA.

The surfaces in the model are not stitched together as can be seen by the presence of the single cons(red lines). By using the ‘Topo’ function, topological conditions between the adjacent CONS can be created automatically. The orientation is also fixed.

2) Geometry Cleanup

Geometry cleanup is done on the model to ensure that the model surface is perfect and free from errors like free edges, cracks, overlap faces, distorted faces, needle faces etc. The geometry check is done using the Checks Manager available under, Tools>Checks>Geometry. All the errors are rectified.

3) Morphing

To perform the morphing operation switch to the MORPH Module. Now, a box has to be created at the geometric location where morphing has to be performed. This is done by going to Boxes>New>Ortho. In the New Morph window, there is an option to select FE Entities, Nodes or Geometry. In this case, the geometry option is selected and the required geometry area is selected from the graphics window. Also, the Box Type is set to Ortho and the selections are confirmed using the Middle mouse button.

Hence, a Morph Box is created at the selected geometry area.

The geometry can be morphed by moving the control points of the Morph Box by using the Move option.

Box Morphing>Move

Under MvFree, the control points of the Morph Box can be selected and can be moved freely in the x, y and z co-ordinates. Or it can be moved a specific distance by giving a numerical input. By default, the movement occurs in the global co-ordinate system but it can be changed to a local co-ordinate system (which can be created with a right mouse button click).

The same procedure is carried out for other required regions.

The Morph Box can also be split into smaller sections which will allow the user to make finer adjustments in the geometry while morphing.

Boxes>Split

After making all the required changes in the geometry the Morph Boxes can be deleted.

Boxes>Delete

MODEL – 2:

1) Open the given model in ANSA.

2) Geometry Cleanup

Geometry check is carried out on the model to ensure that the model surface is perfect and free from errors.

3) Morphing

In this model, morphing has to be carried out to increase the heights of the dog houses and ribs.

For this, Morph Boxes are created around all the dog houses and ribs. This is done by going to Boxes>New>Ortho. The required geometry areas are selected from the graphics window and the selections are confirmed using the Middle mouse button.

To increase the heights of the dog houses and ribs, morphing is carried out by moving the control points of the Morph Box by using the Move option.

Box Morphing>Move

After making all the required changes in the geometry the Morph Boxes can be deleted.

Boxes>Delete

FINAL MODEL IMAGE:

Model 1:

                                       Fig: Before Morphing                                                                                  Fig: After Morphing

Model 2(Increasing the heights of the dog houses and ribs):

                                        Fig: Before Morphing                                                                                  Fig: After Morphing

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Learned how to perform Morphing operation on a given model to achieve the required change in shape.
• Gained understanding on how to make finer adjustments in the geometry while morphing by splitting the Morph Box into smaller sections.

CONCLUSION:

Morphing Operation was carried out on the given models to achieve the necessary alterations in shape as per the requirements.