Installing/Using FEM Module

[Serchu]

Hi,

I'm an experienced FEA analist under ABAQUS and NASTRAN, but now I want to try FreeCAD as well. I have downloaded and installed today on my Windows PC, import a step model and try to make a basic lineal FEA. I was able to create the analisys, but the mesh command is greyed (invalid), could it be that I must install some external mesher and solver tools? Maybe Netgend and Calculix?

OS: Windows 7
Word size: 64-bit
Version: 0.14.3700 (Git)
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-14
Hash: 32f5aae0a64333ec8d5d160dbc46e690510c8fe1
Python version: 2.7.6
Qt version: 4.8.5
Coin version: 4.0.0a
SoQt version: 1.6.0a
OCC version: 6.6.0


Best Regards

[r-frank]

Hello Serchu.

The capabilities of the FEM module are (at the moment) quite limited.
As I found out (and wrote in the wiki), only solids created with the part module workbench are
meshable.
No imported parts, no parts from Part Design-Workbench.

Try with a primitive inserted with the part module workbench and apply fixed geometry to one side,
force to other side, apply PLA (only material which will work ...) and you can run your analysis.

SInce there are other priorities for the main developers (assembly, drawing, CAM) development
of the FEM module is halted at the moment.

But since FreeCAD is Open Source you are welcome to look at the python source code and
work on improving the module.

Roland

[Serchu]

Roland,

Thanks for the support. I found that limitations today when I try so solve my first imported bracket

Best Regards

[bernd]

I do not know it it works on PartDesign Objects as well but if your object is imported an it is a Part::Shape you could make a fusion of all objects an refine the shape. That shape could be meshed ...

I even was able to mesh an imported building model, ok a smal one. I need to test what happens at a bigger one. The memory will be probably the problem. I only have 8 GB.

[r.tec]

Alternatively I would recommend trying out Z88-Aurora of Bayreuth University. You can design parts in FreeCAD, export them as .stp or .stl-files and import them into Z88. Tried it myself, and if the design is not too complex works quite well.

[bernd]

PartDesign objects are possible as well. What I did:

- take a PartDesign Object --> rockns board looks great --> viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8027#p65845
- Make an refine of the PartDesign Object
- go to WB FEM and meshing is possible

It seams any geomtetry is possible as long as ist is possible to make on big Part from it. What does not work. Since it has to be one object only one material is possible.

This is starting to really make fun !!!