Defining a Weld Connection Property

You can create a weld connection property. Weld connection properties are used to model the interaction between two bodies that are welded together along a point, line, or surface.

Before you begin:
Related Topics
About Connection Properties
About Connection Meshes
Adding Simulation Connection Properties
Using the Connection Property Manager

  1. In the Simulation tab of the Engineering Connection dialog box, select one of the following:

    • Spot Weld Connection Property to create a spot weld connection property.
    • Seam Weld Connection Property to create a seam weld connection property.
    • Curve-curve Weld Connection Property to create a curve-curve weld connection property (seam weld connection property using a guide line).
    • Surface Weld Connection Property to create a surface weld connection property.

  2. Click Add.

    The corresponding dialog box appears.

  3. Optional: In the Name box of the Property tab, modify the name of the connection property.

  4. In the Type list, select the type of the property.

    The list of property types varies depending on the connection property you are creating:

    • Spot weld connection property: Rigid, Spring-Rigid-Spring, Rigid-Spring-Rigid, Beam, Hexahedron.
    • Seam weld connection and curve-curve weld connection property: Shell, Rigid, Spring-Rigid-Spring, Rigid-Spring-Rigid, Beam, Hexahedron.
    • Surface weld connection property: Hexahedron.

  5. Click to define the parameters of the property, except if you selected Rigid.

    The Property Definition dialog box appears.

    • If you selected Spring-Rigid-Spring or Rigid-Spring-Rigid, choose the axis system, enter the values for translational and rotational stiffness components of the spring, and click OK.
    • If you selected Beam, define 1D property parameters, and click OK. See Finite Element Modeling User's Guide: Creating Structural Properties: Creating 1D Properties.
    • If you selected Shell, define 2D property parameters, and click OK. See Finite Element Modeling User's Guide: Creating Structural Properties: Creating 2D Properties.
      Important: You cannot use the data mapping option in the connection property context.
    • If you selected Hexahedron, define 3D property parameters, and click OK. See Finite Element Modeling User's Guide: Creating Structural Properties: Creating 3D Properties.

    Important: The availability of some of the property parameters depends on your available licenses. See Licensing.

  6. In the Connected Geometries area, click to select the geometries that are physically in contact.

    The Connected Geometries dialog box appears. For more details about the supports you can select, see About Connection Properties.

    1. In the Support 1 box, select the first set of geometries to connect.

      The application helps you to select the geometry by displaying the unnecessary geometries in low light mode and hiding the environment of the product that is not concerned by the assembly.

    2. In the Support 2 box, select the second set of geometries to connect.

      Important: For self-connections, a second selection is not needed and the Support 2 box is not available in the Connected Geometries dialog box.
      The application helps you to select the geometry by displaying the unnecessary geometries in low light mode.

    3. Select the welding points for a spot weld connection property, the welding lines for a seam weld connection property or a curve-curve connection property, or the welding surfaces for a surface weld connection property.
    4. For a curve-curve connection property, select a line to guide the connection orientation.
    5. Click OK.

  7. Click OK.