FE-Reanalysis with MSC Apex (Nastran)

MSC Apex Generative Design is a design generator. Thus, to verify the results a reanalysis with a high precise FE-Analysis Tool such as MSC Apex (Nastran) should be done after deciding on a design. We recommend a reanalysis for all critical parts to include the relevant boundary & overload conditions that aren’t taken into account during an optimisation.

To make this workflow as easy and automatic as possible the Nurbs process was enhanced and a mapping of loads & boundary conditions as well as the material was added for the Design Candidate. When choosing a Design as a viable candidate, the geometry can be transferred automatically into a Nurbs geometry and the appropriate loads & boundary conditions as well as the material are applied to this new geometry.

The saved database can be opened in MSC Apex where only the meshing of the geometry needs to happen for an analysis to be ready to go.

During the Mapping Loads & Materials of symmetrical designs only half of the LBCs are mapped to the structure as only half were applied to the model. Please add the other LBCs before running an analysis with MSC Apex.

There are two possible workflows with two different geometry types:

NURBS-Geometry Workflow

Select the Smooth Geometry in the Post Processing and choose the options in the Transfer Design Candidate Button. Activate the Map LBCs and Material option and press the Transfer button to get the transition started. The following steps are automatically done by the software:
1. The Smooth Geometry is transferred to the Pre Processing and the Facet to Nurbs Tool is automatically executed with the chosen Density of the Nurbs Patches.
2. When the transformation is completed, the Nurbs Geometry is intersected with the Design Space to receive the Nominal Geometry.
3. Next, the new functionality is executed and the Loads & Boundary Conditions as well as the Material information are mapped to the Nominal Nurbs Geometry.
Check the status of the Transfer in the Map LBC tab and if necessary adjust any LBCs by double clicking on the specific Load or Constraint.
Save the database in MSC Apex Generative Design and close the software.
Open MSC Apex and open the just saved Generative Design database. A copy of the database is created and opened in MSC Apex.
Mesh the Design Candidate and add any Loads & Boundary conditions you want to include in the analysis.
Start the analysis in MSC Apex.

Faceted-Geometry Workflow

Select the Smooth Geometry in the Post Processing and choose the options in the Transfer Design Candidate Button. Switch to the Convert Design Candidate to Facet Body option and activate the Map LBCs and Material option. Press the Transfer button to get the transition started. The following steps are automatically done by the software:
1. The Smooth Geometry is transferred to the Pre Processing and is intersected with the Design Space to receive the Nominal Geometry.
2. Next, the new functionality is executed and the Loads & Boundary Conditions as well as the Material information are mapped to the Nominal Faceted Geometry.
Check the status of the Transfer in the Map LBC tab and if necessary adjust any LBCs by double clicking on the specific Load or Constraint.
Save the database in MSC Apex Generative Design and close the software.
Open MSC Apex and open the just saved Generative Design database. A copy of the database is created and opened in MSC Apex.
Mesh the Design Candidate and add any Loads & Boundary conditions you want to include in the analysis.
Start the analysis in MSC Apex.