Week 9-Challenge

Objective : To create connectors and attach various parts of the model according to the given requirements.

Procedure :

1. 2d Mesh :

First create a 2d mesh of all the components by first meshing one symmetrical half of all the components.We will now try to eliminate the trias as much as we can while not disrupting the mesh flow. Next step is to reflect the mesh about the respective axis (x-axis) to generate the mesh of the whole model.

Then using tool-->organize we move the mesh elements to the respective component collectors and in this way the 2d mesh is complete. This is the criteria used for the 2d elements.

2. Connectors : Next step is to make all the connectors as required in the question

• Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L) :

First we figure out which components are to be connected using the mask option and we decide a suitable location to form the connection (i.e the correct placement) with regard to the elements. Next we go to 2d-->connectors-->seam and the following panel comes up.

Select the node list, choose the comps, select the type , adjust the weld angle as required and click on create. As we can see the welded elements have been formed in the current component that was selected.

Next we can fix the mesh that may have gotten disrupted slightly due to the newly formed connection. This mesh deviation can be minimized by selecting the retain node option as shown.

• Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Quad elements

We go to 2d-->connectors-->seam and the following panel comes up.

Select the node list, choose the comps, select the type and click on create. The elements are created in the current component. The connectors can also be created by going to create and selecting the node location, components to connect and then going to the realize option, selecting the type of connector and clicking on realize. The following quad elems are generated as follows.

Adjust the mesh if required.

• Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1:- Spot weld with 3 Layers and 5 mm Diameter :

For this option go to 2d-->connectors-->spot and the following menu comes.

Choose type as weld, select nodes, select comps to connect, select number of layers as 3 and diameter as 5 and click on create. On doing this we will find that the nodes at the edges are unable to form connectors with 3 layers. SO we reduce the count to 2 for these nodes

For this type of connector mesh is not affected and hence no correction is required in the mesh.

• Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1:- Hexa (Adhesive)

We go to 2d-->connectors-->seam and the following panel comes up.

Choose the location as node list and select the components to connect. Choose type as hexa(adhesive), select number of strips as 2 and coats as 3 with widith of 3(based on trial & error) and click on create.

As we can see the following adhesive connector is generated.

This connector gets formed in a separate component unlike the other connectors.

• Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector :

We go to 2d-->connectors-->bolt and the following panel comes up.

Select nodes to connect, components to connect, type as bolt (general) and in the hole option select "create hole, if none" and click on create. As i have chosen 3 nodes to join the components, 3 different bolts are generated as shown

We need to adjust the mesh as it gets deviated a bit after the creation of holes.

• Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector :

We go to 2d-->connectors-->bolt and the following panel comes up.

Select nodes to connect, components to connect, type as bolt (spider) and in the hole option select "create hole, if none" and click on create. As i have chosen 3 nodes to join the components, 3 different bolts are generated as shown.

We can see the difference in the two types of bolts based on the connectors being formed. Adjust the mesh as required.

• Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Rigid Elements :

For this option go to 2d-->connectors-->spot and the following menu comes.

Choose type as rigid, select node path, select comps to connect, select number of layers as 2 and diameter as 5 and click on create. We can also make the connections by going to create and then realize if the direct method doesn't work.

As a result the connectors are created along the entire length of the panels on the top and bottom.

• Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Spring Elements :

For this option go to 2d-->connectors-->spot and the following menu comes.

Choose type as spring, select node path, select comps to connect, select number of layers as 2 and diameter as 5 and click on create. We can also make the connections by going to create and then realize if the direct method doesn't work.

As a result the connectors are created along the entire length of the panels on the top and bottom.

• Remaining connectors :

The remainig connectors are made based on the suitability of the region as there is no fixed criteria. The following connections have been made.

Spot weld with 5mm diameter.

Rigid connection (seam).

Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L). For this connector type the mesh needs to be adjusted a bit due to deviation caused.

In this way all the connections have been made.

3. Conclusion : Thus all the components have been connected successfully.

Result :

Google Drive Link :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iAzQnzBMgmqtVjtFVctYIHOJXekioOQK/view?usp=sharing