Data I/O

Import and export composite data.

Composite data can be imported and exported into HyperMesh in either of the following ways:
  • By CAD program - CATIA and FiberSim composite definitions are available
  • By spreadsheet - several methods of import and export are available depending on the application

CAD I/O

Import CAD model data.

Import Steps

The process of importing CAD composite data into HyperMesh involves the following two steps:
  1. Import CAD model with composite data.
    • Plies imported from CAD contain typical attributes: orientation, thickness, and material.
    • Ply geometry from CAD is defined by geometry lines, surfaces, solids, or drape tables of discrete geometry.
    • Rosettes from CAD area assigned as the Ply system. This serves as an alternative way to set material orientation. The ply system x-axis serves as the reference direction for the ply orientation.
  2. Conversion from ply geometry shape to HyperMesh finite element shape (ply realization). Ply realization is accessed from the Model Browser in the context menu of Ply entities. For more information, see Ply Entities.


Figure 1.

CATIA CPD Import

CATIA CDP data can be imported by selecting File > Import > Geometry > CATIA. Supported entities include:
  • Laminates
  • Plies (shape defined by lines or solids)
  • Local systems (CATIA Rosettes)
  • Materials (Name reference only)

For more information, see CATIA Import.



Figure 2.

FiberSim Import

FiberSim composite data can be imported by selecting File > Import > Geometry > FiberSim. Supported entities include:
  • Laminates
  • Plies (shape defined by tables)
  • Local systems (Rosettes)
  • Materials

For more information, see FiberSim Import.

CAD Export

Composite data can be exported to CAD in several ways, depending on the required output:
  • FiberSim - At any time, ply-based model data can be exported to FiberSim by selecting File > Export > Geometry > FiberSim.
  • Ply geometry:
    • Ply shapes – Can be exported from the Aerospace Ply Smoothing dialog.
    • Flattened shapes – If plies have been draped with either Kinematic Draping or Drape Estimator, step files for the flattened geometry can be exported.

Spreadsheet I/O

Import and export from spreadsheets.

Import Methods

Composite layers defined in spreadsheets can be imported and exported in several ways:
  • Plies and laminates from laminate entities in the Composite Browser:
    • Import – create and update plies and laminates
    • Export – provide spreadsheet of ply data
  • Zone-based layers from Entity Editor:
    • Import – populate and append layers to existing property
    • Export – provide list of layers
  • PCOMP from .csv file:
    • Import – generate n zone-based properties

Ply-Based Laminate

On import, this functionality creates and updates ply entities and laminate entities. On export, a spreadsheet of ply data is written.

This functionality is available from the laminate entity context menu.


Figure 3.
The following table displays the import format for a laminate in HyperMesh.
Ply Name Ply ID Card Image Mat Name Thickness Orientation Output Results TMANU DRAPE_ID ESID
ply1 1 PLY carbonepxy 0.01 -45 yes   0 1
ply2 2 PLY carbonepxy 0.01 0 yes   0 2
ply3 3 PLY carbonepxy 0.01 45 yes   0 3
ply4 4 PLY carbonepxy 0.01 90 yes   0 4
The following table displays laminate import format for a CATIA spreadsheet.
PlyGroup Sequence Ply CutPieceGroup CutPiece Material Direction Rosette Surface Draping Ply ID
laminate 1 ply1     carbonepxy -45 0   F  
laminate 2 ply2     carbonepxy 0 0   F  
laminate 3 ply3     carbonepxy 45 0   F  
laminate 4 ply4     carbonepxy 90 0   F  

Zone-Based Property

On import this functionality populates the zone property layers list. On export, a spreadsheet of layer data is written. This functionality is available from the Entity Editor.

To import:
  1. Create a new property.
  2. Set the card image to the appropriate zone-based property for the user profile.
  3. Select the property in the Model Browser so that it opens in the Entity Editor.
  4. Right-click the appropriate Layers/Number_of_Plies line to access the context menu.
  5. Select Import from file.
To export:
  1. Select the zone property in the Model Browser so that it opens in the Entity Editor.
  2. Right-click the appropriate Layers/Number_of_Plies line to access the context menu.
  3. Select Export to file.


Figure 4.
The following table shows the file format for a zone-property spreadsheet.
Table 1.
GPLYID MID T THETA SOUT
1 1 0.01 -45 YES
2 1 0.01 0 YES
4 1 0.01 90 YES
5 1 0.01 90 YES
6 1 0.01 0 YES
7 1 0.01 -45 YES

PCOMP from .CSV

In the OptiStruct and Nastran profiles, multiple PCOMPs can be generated from a single spreadsheet using the Aerospace PCOMP From CSV tool. The tool can be accessed from Engineering Solutions Aerospace profile by clicking Aerospace > Composites > PCOMP from csv.

For more information, see Aerospace PCOMP from CSV.