Assembly Tools

Create an assembly structure from a .csv file definition.

You can create an assembly structure (product structure) similar to a PDM system using the Model/Assembly Browser or using the Part Browser (Module Browser). Both tools are provided using the same .csv file format described below. You can import this file and the tool automatically creates the product structure in the database. You can drag and drop components into the assembly tree to organize the models in a similar manner to CAD or PDM product structures.


Figure 1. A .csv File Format for the Product Structure Definition
When you import this .csv file as an assembly or module you will get the following organization in the Model Browser (assembly csv) or Part Browser (module csv).


Figure 2. A Product Structure is Created in the Model Browser

Organize Aerospace Components

Use this tool to split a monolithic FE model (imported from solver data files) into suitable HyperWorks components. These components are then manually moved into assembly product structures to create a real world aerospace model. Two useful methods can be used to split the monolithic FE model into components. One involves using the coordinate system and the other uses ID ranges.

Using the coordinate system
Shell and beam models can be split using a local coordinate system.


Figure 3. A Single Component Model
  1. Click Assembly > Organize Aero Components > Using Cord-System.
  2. Select the local system and the elements to be organized. It is required that you create empty components where these elements are to be split using the coordinate system. The elements are separated based on the system directions (within the Angle Deviation tolerance) and are moved to the empty components.


    Figure 4. The Model is Split into Components using the Local System Direction
Using ID ranges
Aerospace users typically assign ID ranges to specific components. Using these definitions from a .csv file, the elements are automatically separated into component names defined in the .csv file.


Figure 5. ID Range .csv File with Component Names


Figure 6. Based on ID Ranges, Elements are Separated into Components