Generate 3D part from FEA mesh

[Dave442]

Dear all,

I am looking for some advice. I have carried out a structural analysis in ABAQUS and wish to perform a computational flud dynamics analysis using the deformed geometry. My problem is that I am working with an orphan mesh and, as such, there is no geometry. I was wondering if this is a problem anyone else may have encountered? Any advice would be kindly appreciated.

Also, whilst browsing online I came across this plug-in:

http://www.simulia.com/products/3dmesh.html

I was wondering if anyone has used this or could recommend this?

Many Thanks,
Dave

 

[MechIrl]

This is a very commonly asked question on here. The plug-in looks quite useful and fast. I find it strange that they require you to 'order' it as I remember them giving it out for free not so long ago. Maybe it still is free.

One thing I would say is that its possible to do pretty much everything the plugin seems to do with some simple python scripting. For example, one way would be to re-draw each element face on the geometry outer surface using a python script, then convert the resulting shell to a solid. This isn't very difficult and in most cases will give you the same result as the plug-in, albeit judging by the conversion speed in their videos the script will take a little longer for larger geometries.