Post Pocessing Modal Analysis (Line graph question)?

[ptc-4476902]

Hello All

I've recently started using Mechanica (wildfire 4.0) for prelimanary analyses, instead of ANSYS. Just to verify results, I am running a modal analysis on a cylinder to get displacement distribution along the length of the cylinder.

I get results, and they match my calculations. Now I want to plot a displacement graph; Y-axis showing displacement, and X-axis showing length of cylinder. To get that, what I know, I need to define a line through or on the cylinder. I have tried making a sketch line, datum line, and even axis, through the center of cylinder, but Mechanica doesnt let me choose that line for graph. I guess because that line is not a part of cylinder, but an arbitrary sketch.

My question: Is there a way to do this? How can I get a line displacement plot along the length of cylinder?

Thanks!

Haris

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[echan]

Haris:

After you sketch the line in the model, you need to make the line a hard curve in Mechanica using the AutoGEM hard curve control. You should be able to plot along the line once you do that.

Eduardo

[ptc-4476902]

Thanks for the reply Eduardo.

So this is what I did. I defined a sketch line in cylinder. Then

AutoGEM > Control > Edge Distribution (Selected line, and defined number of nodes).

Ran simulation, got results. After checking a specific mode, selected Graph in Display Type, and in Graph Location selected Curve. This time I was able to select that Hard line. After clickign Ok and Show, I get this error:

'None of the selected result windows can be shown'.

Where'd I mess up?

Haris

[echan]

Haris:

My mistake. I missed the fact that you were using WF4. The AutoGEM hard curve control wasn't available till WF5. At this point, I can't think of anything that you could do in WF4 that will serve your purpose. Sorry for the mistake.

Eduardo

[jrichard]

Try creating a volume region in Mechanica that splits your shaft along its axis into two equal volumes. You can then select the edge/curve created by this volume region as your plot curve. If you're working with a hollow shaft, you will have 4 curves that you can choose. If it is a solid shaft, you will have 2 curves.

[ptc-4476902]

Yes, I already tried that. Increases solution time, and becomes more complicated in complex geometry. But you are right, this is the best solution so far.

Thanks

[ptc-2605332]

I just figured this one out. You need to include the curve in the mesh via AutoGEM selection "Use Datum Curves"