Accessing the Finite Element Modeling Workbench

You can create a new finite element model representation and access the Finite Element Modeling workbench.

1. From the bar, click , and select Simulation > Generative Analysis > Finite Element Modeling.

   Each time you enter the Finite Element Modeling workbench using this icon, a new finite element model representation is created.

   Depending on whether a product is open and displayed or not, the use of the icon gives different results:
   

   • If no product is open or active, the Product dialog box appears.
   • If a product is open and displayed, the Finite Element Modeling dialog box appears.

   Important: The options available in the Finite Element Modeling dialog box vary depending on whether the product contains several 3D shapes or not.

2. If no product is open, enter the name of the product and the finite element representation in the product dialog box.

   1. In the Product tab, modify the name of the product.
   2. In the Finite element model tab, modify the name of the finite element model representation.
   3. Click Finish.

   A product containing an empty finite element model representation is created:
   
   

   Tip: You can create as many finite element model representations as you want by repeating the previous steps. You can insert a 3D shape representation in the product you created using the Insert menu.

3. If a product is open and contains subproducts with finite element model representations, you have to choose the type of finite element model representations you want to create: simple or assembled.

   • To create an assembly of finite element model representations, select Create an assembled representation.
   • To create a simple finite element model representation, select Create a stand alone representation.

   Tip: At any time you can change the nature of the finite element model (assembled or simple) using the FE Model Management capability. See Managing Finite Element Model Representations.

4. To create a default mesh and a default property in the finite element model representation, select the Initialize content check box.

   Important: The Initialize content check box is not available if you have selected Create an assembled representation.

   
   

   • If the product contains only one 3D shape, the finite element model representation is automatically linked to the 3D shape, and a default Octree tetrahedron mesh and a default 3D property are automatically created.
     
     
   • If the product is an assembly product that contains several 3D shapes and if you have selected Create a stand alone representation, several Octree tetrahedron meshes and 3D properties are created (one per PartBody). All the meshes are created with the same mesh size (ratio of the global bounding sphere), the same sag (ratio of the mesh size), and the same element type (linear) using knowledge parameters and relations.
     
     

5. To create an empty finite element model representation, clear the Initialize content check box.

   Important: The Initialize content check box is not available if you have selected Create an assembled representation.

6. Click OK in the Finite Element Modeling dialog box.

   The Finite element model / Representation dialog box appears.

   Note: The dialog box contains only the Finite element model tab because the product is already created.

7. Optional: Modify the name of the finite element model representation in the Name box.

8. Click Finish.

   The finite element model representation is created, activated (highlighted in blue in the specification tree), and opened in the Finite Element Modeling workbench.

In a product containing 3D shapes and finite element model representations, you have to activate one particular finite element model representation to work in this representation and to access the commands of the Finite Element Modeling workbench.