Patran Neutral File

INTEGRATION OF MSC PATRAN WITH CAD PACKAGES

● This SimAcademy session is intended for the Academic audience and beginning user and covers the basics of File Import ● File/Import allows for the importation of model files from a number of different sources, such as a Patran database, Patran 2.5 neutral file, MD Nastran input file format, or one of several CAD formats such as: ● CATIA ● PROENGINEER ● UNIGRAPHICS ● PARASOLID ● ACIS ● IGES FILE ● PATRAN NEUTRAL FILE ● STEP FILE ● Once the model is imported, you can use mesh, use the core editing tools in PATRAN if you need to, or use Feature Recognition to change/delete features such as holes, fillets and chamfers

Source: PATRAN 2010 Release Guide

● SimCompanion (http://simcompanion.mscsoftware.com) ● Click on “Product Info and Docs”

● Product Updates ● https://mscsoftware.subscribenet.com

Geometry kernel type

CAD part

Standard format

● Several types of CATIA files can be imported ● CATIA V4 Model: model file, e.g. dogbone.model ● CATIA V5 CATPart: part file, e.g. catbone.CATPart ● CATIA V5 CATProduct: product file, e.g. crockbone.CATProduct ● CATXPRES File: output file, e.g. otherbone.cat

Copyright 2010 MSC.Software Corporation S3-9 CATIA CAD MODEL IMPORT CATIA V4 Model ● CATIA V4 Model, CATIA Options… include ● Import to Parasolid: Yes ● Imported geometry will be Parasolid type geometry ● Solid Type ● Select simple (6 faces) or B-rep solid ● Trimmed Surface Type ● Select simple (4 edges) or general trimmed ● Import NoShow Entities: Yes ● CATIA V4 entities classified as NoShow will be imported ● Import Attributes ● If Yes, attributes associated to the geometry will be imported. If No, the import performance will be improved. ● Entity Layers ● All layers, or selected layers, are imported ● Create Groups from Layers ● Creates Patran groups from CAD layers automatically ● Group name: prefix_Ln Copyright 2010 MSC.Software Corporation S3-10 CATIA CAD MODEL IMPORT CATIA V4 Model ● CATIA V4 Model, CATIA Options… include ● Import to Parasolid: Yes (continued) ● Group Classification ● Displays dialog box for directing entities to Patran groups ● Model Units ● Allows the model units to be over-ridden ● Sew Sheet Bodies ● Patran Sew: sew sheet bodies using Patran software ● Verify Boundary: similar to Geometry: Verify/Surface/Boundary ● Equivalence Edge Vertices ● Equivalence vertices during import ● Save Transmit File ● Save Parasolid xmt transmit file created during import ● Allow Duplicate CAD Model ● Allows a model with same name as a model in the database to be imported

● CATIA V4 Model, CATIA Options… include ● Import to Parasolid: No ● Imported geometry will not be Parasolid type geometry, but SGM geometry (Patran native Solid Geometry Model) ● Entity Layers ● All layers, or selected layers, are imported ● Group Classification ● Displays dialog box for directing entities to Patran groups ● Create Groups from Layers ● Creates Patran groups from CAD layers automatically ● Group name: prefix_Ln

● Import to Parasolid -- create Parasolid or not ● Part -- individual part; need license ● Assembly -- set of parts; need license ● Primitive Geometry -- created from CAD import into Patran; no license needed

● Use Direct Mesh to mesh Pro/ENGINEER solid in Pro/ENGINEER environment ● Pro/ENGINEER is executed ● Geometry is accessed in Pro/ENGINEER through its API ● Meshing is done using Direct Mesh ● Resulting mesh is read into Patran database ● Must have Pro/ENGINEER installed, and have the Nastran preference in Patran

● Set Unigraphics as the Source ● Select desired UG part file ● Optional filtering (Unigraphics Options…) of entities is available based on entity type (e.g. Sheet Body), Patran groups from CAD layers, if sewing is to be done, etc.

● Express Neutral files are intermediate files that are created during a specific CAD model access ● Express Neutral files are portable when created as text files ● Express Options provide capabilities such as filtering entities, group creation, model preview

Copyright 2010 MSC.Software Corporation S3-16 IGES FILE ● IGES format ● Import to Parasolid: create Parasolid or not ● Supports ● Point ● All curve types ● All surface types, except Patran Composite ● B-rep solid

● Patran database content can be transferred between different databases. ● Import option allows the specification of entity type, ID offset, name prefix, and conflict resolution tools. ● Equivalence Option allows common entities in the databases to be equivalenced. ● Preview option provides access to summary information. ● Through Groups, allows for importing just the entities you need

● Patran databases can be accessed by selecting “MD.Patran DB” as the source.

● Importing options control: ● Which entities to import ● Specification of entity ID offset ● Specification of unique names, e.g. prefix for group names

Copyright 2010 MSC.Software Corporation S3-20 PATRAN NEUTRAL FILE ● Patran 2.5 neutral file ● Geometry ● Parametric cubic geometry only, e.g ParametricBiCubic ● Finite elements ● Nodes, elements ● Material and element properties ● Loads and boundary conditions

● Neutral File convention can be selected under Geometry Representation in Preferences / Geometry ● MSC.Thermal still uses neutral file as input

Copyright 2010 MSC.Software Corporation S3-21 STEP FILE ● ISO 10303 STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data) ● Application Protocols (AP) ● AP 203: geometry and configuration controlled design data ● AP 214: represents all types of geometry, including pipe and harness data, and components ● AP 209: finite element model, including composites, and results

● Parasolid xmt file ● Specific types of parasolid geometry ● Curves ● Surfaces ● Solids ● Can specify the parasolid version

● CATIA V4 ● Specific entity types ● Curves ● Surfaces ● Solids

● IGES ● Export through Parasolid: create a Parasolid file or not ● Specific entity types ● Curves ● Surfaces ● Solids ● Nodes and elements ● Coordinate frames ● No results ● Select groups for export

● Patran 2.5 neutral file ● Specific entity types ● Nodes ● Elements ● Material properties ● Element properties ● No results ● Parametric cubic geometry only ● Select groups for export

● STEP ● Application Protocols (AP) ● AP 203 ● AP 209 ● AP 214 ● AP 203, 214 entities ● Curves ● Surfaces ● Solids ● AP 209 entities ● Limited geometry ● Mesh ● Analysis ● Results

● Though PATRAN is not a substitute for a CAD program, it does have some robust features to allow you to build and edit geometry ● One of these is the Automatic Feature Recognition Tool ● New release functionality in Patran 2008r1 ● Previously in pre-release status ● Allows editing or removal of holes, chamfers and blends (fillets) in Parasolid geometry ● Accessed from Tools/Feature Recognition ● FEM updated automatically after edits