This doc is designed to be iterated consistently based on new information gained

Contents

1. SolidWorks Preparation

2. ANSYS SpaceClaim

3. Mechanical

4. Interpreting Results

SolidWorks Preparation

You’re basically trying to split off the body of interest from the rest of the frame. This is done to save on computation time and resources.

1. Create a sketch on one of the principal planes (Front, Top, Right)

2. Draw lines around the joint node to split the node off the rest of the frame

3. Draw lines further along the tube such that shell element assumption (thickness of tube << length of tube) is valid

   1. You do not have to worry about this sketch being dimensioned/constrained as it serves no physical purpose, only simulation purpose

Open

4. Use the split feature, selecting that sketch you drew in (2) and (3) as what you want to split along

5. Hide all bodies except the tubes and nodes you just split

Open

6. Export this as “STEP AP214” file type (easiest + most consistent way to import into ANSYS Workbench)

7.