Import meshed files into a Digital Twin collection

Modified on Thu, 13 Feb at 10:08 AM

What is in this Article?

Before we start

This article is intended for users who are already familiar with Akselos Modeler - our simulation software. If you're new to it, we recommend reading Akselos Modeler - First steps.
This is the second step in our workflow for generating a Digital Twin using Akselos products.
To proceed with this step, ensure that the collection is opened in Akselos Modeler first. We've also prepared a sample collection with meshed files for your reference - [ sample collection ]. If you need access, please contact our support team via support.akselos.com

Terminologies

Block	A block or a set of elements/mesh regions as known as a sub-domain of a component
Collection	The folder containing data of an asset/model on Akselos Cloud or users’ computer
Components	Components created by the componentization process to use with Akselos Integra
Face port	A common surface or lines used to connect shell/solid components
Model ribbon	An Akselos Modeler ribbon containing tools for model assembling and management
Model thickness	The thickness distribution of a model constructed by shell components
Node port	A mesh node or beam end used to connect 1D beam elements to other component types
Nodeset	A mesh node assigned with a certain ID number
Nodeset IDs	The conventional IDs assigned for each nodeset inside a component mesh
Ports	The common entities including face ports and node ports used to connect elements/components
Ribbons	The top-sided toolbars of Akselos Modeler
Shell component	A component containing only shell elements
Sideset	A surface of mesh assigned with a certain ID number
Sideset IDs	The conventional IDs assigned for each sideset of a component mesh
Solid component	A component containing only solid elements

How does Meshes Importer work?

A meshed file will carry a lot of information within, including the ID for the pre-setup. The Meshes Importer automatically assigns the associated features or surface type according to the default ID convention below.

Figure 1. Each Mesh component should carry the needed information to setup the Ports, Loads and Boundary Conditions

Before importing a new component into Akselos Modeler, it is important to consider the settings in the Settings tab. These settings can affect how the component is imported and used in the model. The ID convention is a way of naming components so that they can be easily identified and referenced in the model. Akselos Modeler offers several different ID conventions, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Mesh Block

The software will identify the element types (1D, Shell, or Solid) of the imported component. The component type will then be classified according to the corresponding predefined ID.

Figure 2. The ID convention for 1D, Shell and Solid Block

Nodeset

Each node in a meshed element can be assigned with multiple IDs. These ID can be used to define a unique function for the node. For example, the function could define the node's coordinates, its material properties, or its boundary conditions.

Figure 3. The ID convention for nodes.

Port

The common entities including face ports and node ports used to connect elements/components.

Figure 4. Settings for face port/node port before generating

When creating components, users should be aware of face port configurations which have a key role in assembling components. Configurations between face ports on components and the reference ports are defined through reference points. A set of reference points has at least 3 points. The reference points are numbered in one direction and the right-hand rule together with the normal vectors of the components’ face ports are used to determine OUTWARD or INWARD configurations for components’ face ports as shown in the figure below. Note that an OUTWARD configuration can only connect to an INWARD configuration and vice versa.

Figure 5. Determination of face port configurations

To create port configurations, the component face port is rotated and its mesh after rotating is compared to the mesh of the reference port. If both meshes are precisely the same, one configuration is generated for the component face port. Akselos Modeler will automatically generate configurations for ports and the number of configurations is dependent solely on the symmetricity of the face ports meshes. The more symmetric axes a port mesh has, the more configurations can be generated.

When importing components, Akselos Modeler will activate at least one OUTWARD or INWARD configuration if the component port mesh is conforming with one of the reference port mesh. Users can choose to activate all port configurations at this step by ticking the Enable all port configurations option in the dropdown of the Port settings on the component creation pop-up window.

Figure 6. Enable All Port Configurations

Sideset

Surfaces that users have the intention to apply loads on in Akselos Modeler, should have at least one Sideset, and each load is defined with a different range of ID as shown below:

Figure 7. The ID convention for surfaces

Note: The ID convention can be customized bases on our purposes

How to add a simple meshed file?

STEP 1: On the Ribbon, click on Collections ▶ Create ▶ Component Type.

STEP 2: A New Component Types window will appear, in the Create tab, select Add Meshes ▶ Select the meshed files from your local machine.

STEP 3: After selecting, meshed files will be shown on table, then click on the Create button to generate.

STEP 4: Wait for Successful imported message (status of each component shows as created).

STEP 5: Check in the Collection tree for imported components.

Supported meshed file formats:
Abaqus input (*.inp)
Exodus II (*.exo)
Nastran (*.dat, *.bdf, *.nas)

sacsinp.* files are another type that we do support. Read more in SACS Importer article