In CFD modeling, input parts can have topology issues, like free surfaces and self-intersections, and part assembly
issues, such as parts with very close proximity and intersecting parts. Manually connecting these parts can be time
consuming and require expertise in certain tools. The Wrap tool can generate a watertight manifold model from dirty input with considerably less manual work.
Use the Edit Elements: Associate tool to find non-associated
nodes, review them, and associate to target geometry.
This is useful in cases where you load CAD and FE separately.
From the Discrete ribbon, click the Edit > Associate tool.
Make sure Associate is selected on the guide bar drop-down.
Optional: Click Find.
A scan is done for associated and non-associated nodes. By default, the
non-asssociated nodes are added to the node selector on the guide bar. A legend indicates which nodes are associated and
to which geometry entities.
To reset the preview, click
next to the Find button or uncheck all the boxes in the
legend.
Associate nodes in one of two ways:
Option
Description
Automatic
Keep all non-associated nodes that were found or clear the
selector pick a sub-set.
Provide an associate tolerance either in the microdialog or the options menu.
The tool will automatically identify the underlying target geometry
and associate selected source nodes.
Note: In
the case of dirty geometry, such as distorted surfaces or
oversimplified geometry, automatic association might fail for
local regions. In such scenarios, it is recommended to select
source and target to accomplish association.
Manually
Keep all non-associated nodes that were found or clear the
selector and pick a smaller sub-set.
Check the Choose target option on the
guide bar.
Choose a single target entity (solid/surface/line/point).
Click on the guide bar to define the associate and snap tolerances.
Associate tolerance
In the case of manual association, you must
provide an appropriate associate tolerance. Nodes
which are out of tolerance are excluded from
association. Auto-association works on the logic
of matching topology, nodes/mesh, and its
underneath CAD.
Snap tolerance
Distance between nodes and closest vertices. In
case of manual association, you need to provide
the node snapping tolerance. However, in case of
auto-association, the snap tolerance is
automatically derived.
Global “tolerance” is not used here, meaning selected
nodes are always associated/re-associated to selected
geometry entities.
Check the Move nodes option to project source nodes onto
the target entity along with the association.
On the guide bar, click one of the following:
- Apply and stay in the tool
- Apply and close the tool
- Exit the tool without applying
Disassociate Nodes
Change the drop-down on the guide bar to
Disassociate.
Select the surfaces or solids on which nodes and elements should be
disassociated.