Entering FEM mode...

[mjenkins]

Anyone know of a way to change into FEM mode once you have already started an analysis in Mechanica?

Michael R. Jenkins P.E.
Design Engineer
Direct: 816-801-2332
Fax: 816-891-9432

Commercial Vehicle Systems
Haldex Brake Products Corporation
10930 North Pomona Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64153-1215

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[mjenkins]

Okay, I found the answer:

Edit>Mechanica Model Type

Now the real question! Now that I have created a better mesh in FEM mode how do I use it within native mode?

(As I can only get Max Element Size to pull down from Mesh Control within FEM mode.)

[ptcuser11]

Michael,

As far as I know one cannot use the mesh generated by the FEM mode within the native Mechancia. I believe the technical reason is native Mechanica uses isoparametric elements, while FEM mode uses simple straight sided elements. It has been some time since I have looked at this, but this is what I remember from some KB articles on PTC.

In WF4 and above there are options for mesh controls within integratedMechanica. I have used them several times and they work very well. If you are using WF2 and below your best option is to seed the region of interest with datumpoints. It is a little clunky, but it works.

Hope this helps,

Steve

Stephen Seymour, P.E.
Principal Engineer
Seymour Engineering & Consulting Group, LLC
www.seymourecg.com

In Reply to Michael Jenkins:

Okay, I found the answer:

Edit>Mechanica Model Type

Now the real question! Now that I have created a better mesh in FEM mode how do I use it within native mode?

(As I can only get Max Element Size to pull down from Mesh Control within FEM mode.)