Aim:

To mesh the given geometry for the below provided quality parameters.

Target Element size - 5 Units

Then, to create connectors on various parts of the given model

1. Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L)
2. Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Quad elements
3. Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1:- Spot weld with 2 Layers and 5 mm Diameter
4. Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1:- Hexa (Adhesive)
5. Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector
6. Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector
7. Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Rigid Elements
8. Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Spring Elements
9. Rest all the component left Join them with suitable connectors

Procedure:

1. The given model is opened in hyperworks using the Import geometry option
   
   

   Figure 1 - Importing geometry

2. Geometry cleanup:

   • Select Geometry --> Autocleanup --> select Surfaces --> Enter target elem size parameters as “5” in parameters --> Enter the given quality criteria in criteria --> select Autocleanup
     
     

     Figure 2 - Entering mesh parameters & quality criteria

   • The model after geometry cleanup is shown below:
     
     

     Figure 3 - After geometry cleanup

3. Meshing
   • Select 2D --> Automesh --> Enter element size as 5 --> Mesh type as mixed--> select the surfaces to mesh --> Select mesh
     
     
     

     Figure 4 - Meshing of given model

     By left or right clicking on the number on each edge of the model, the number of mesh points can be increased and decreased to achieve better mesh.

   • Next, it is checked if the mesh generated passes the quality criteria. This is checked in the “quality index” option in 2D Tab. This is done as follows:

     • The quality parameters entered during autocleanup is present in this option too. By toggling the “fail” option in display threshold, the failed elements are visualized
       
       

       Figure 5 - Quality index toolbox

     • The elements are cleaned up by using one of the options in the cleanup tools. The tools available are
       
       

       Figure 6 - Cleanup tools

     • The final corrected 2D mesh for the component is as follows:
       
       
       

       Figure 7 - Check mesh for the given model

4. Creating connectors:

   1. Connector 1 - Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L):
      • Select 1D/2D --> connectors --> seam --> change location as “nodelist / nodepath” --> select nodes --> Enter spacing as “5” --> check “retain nodes” --> select the components to connect as “comps” in connect what --> Enter the distance between the components in tolerance --> select type as “Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L)” --> create
      • Check if the connector is realised properly (in green colour) and are not in red colour (improper connector realization)
        
        
        

        Figure 8 - Connector 1

   2. Connector 2 - Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:

      • Same steps as discussed in connector 1 are followed here, except the type, which is selected for this connector as “quads”
        
        

        Figure 9 - Connector 2

   3. Connector 3 - Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1:

      • Select 1D/2D --> connectors --> spot --> change location as “nodelist / nodepath” --> select nodes --> select the components to connect as “comps” in connect what --> Enter the distance between the components in tolerance --> select type as “weld” --> Enter diameter as “5” --> create
        
        

        Figure 10 - Connector 3

   4. Connector 4 -Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1:

      • Select 1D/2D --> connectors --> seam --> change location as “nodelist / nodepath” --> select nodes --> Enter spacing as “5” --> check “retain nodes” --> select the components to connect as “comps” in connect what --> Enter the distance between the components in tolerance --> select type as “Hexa (Adhesive)” --> Enter width as “5” create
        
        

        Figure 11 - Connector 4

   5. Connectors 5 & 6 - Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2, Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2:

      • Select 1D/2D --> connectors --> bolt --> change location as “nodes” --> select nodes --> select the components to connect as “comps” in connect what --> Enter the distance between the components in tolerance --> select type as “bolt (general)” --> select ”create hole, if none” option, since there is no hole present in the geometry to be connected with bolt connector --> create create
        
        

        Figure 12 - Connectors 5 & 6

   6. Connector 7 - Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2:

      • Select 1D/2D --> connectors --> spot --> change location as “nodelist / nodepath” --> select nodes --> select the components to connect as “comps” in connect what --> Enter the distance between the components in tolerance --> select type as “rigid” --> create

        

        Figure 13 - Connector 7

   7. Connector 8 - Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2:

      • Same steps as discussed in connector 7 are followed here, except the type is selected for this connector as “spring”
        
        

        Figure 14 - Connector 8

   8. The rest of parts of the model are assigned with the connectors discussed in the video material and articles. The final model is as follows:
      
      

      Figure 15 - Final model
      
      

      Figure 16 - Final model

   9. The final model was also checked for quality criteria once again and the failed elements are corrected using the tools mentioned in step 3.
      
      

      Figure 17 - Final model checked for quality criteria

Learning Outcomes:

1. Meshing of given geometry for a given quality criteria
2. Assign connectors for various parts of the model

Conclusion:

The given geometry is meshed, corrected for given quality criteria and assigned with connectors as per the challenge requirement.