Altair HyperWorks Newsletter January 2005

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A new way to automatically mesh your models

Have you ever wanted to mesh your models by merely clicking a button? You're not
alone. A new product complementary to HyperMesh 7.0, the Altair Batch Mesher
performs automatic geometry cleanup and meshing tasks for a given CAD geometry.

Dramatically reducing meshing time - and cost

This technology is being used in production at major OEMs worldwide and has led to
enormous time savings. For example, a major OEM in the UK batch meshed a full
production vehicle in just 3.5 days. Previously, such models would have taken around
300 man hours to complete. In fact, many benchmarks have yielded automotive 'body in
white' (BIW) models in 1.5 days.

The Batch Mesher can produce uniform meshes on beads, as well

as rings of washer elements around holes
The Batch Mesher enables significant cost and time savings which have already proved
invaluable in many companies' CAE processes. Extensive productivity gains can result
from reducing the need for manually meshing and cleaning up models.

How it works
A first step in using the Batch Mesher technology is simply to queue a list of geometry
files and selecting a mesh type. The Batch Mesher will then automatically mesh your
sheet metal parts.
The mesh type is controlled by two files, a criteria and parameter file. The criteria file
defines the desired mesh quality that is required for the geometry. The parameter file
contains geometric parameters such as pinhole sizes, rings of washer elements around
holes and bead heights. Using these files, the Batch Mesher iterates upon the geometry
by suppressing and unsuppressing edges, trimming new geometric features and
projecting fixed points. Small surfaces (relative to the element size) are fixed, while
specified surface editing and defeaturing operations can also be undertaken.

For a given CAD geometry, the Batch Mesher creates a mesh to

meet your quality criteria
On completion, the resulting HyperMesh file contains a model with cleaned geometry and
a final mesh, based on the Quality Index approach. TCL scripting can be used to
customize the Batch Mesher in your environment. Creating and selecting scripts is easy,
and can be used to automate tasks such as renaming components and exporting a
finished mesh to the solver of your choice. While the Batch Mesher may be of particular
interest to sheet metal modelers, the technology can also be used to prepare geometry
for tetrameshing.

Available now with your existing license

The Batch Mesher is accessible as part of our flexible HyperWorks licensing system.
Launching the application will require 21 HyperWorks Units (HWU) from your pool of
licenses. These units are 'stacked' in addition to any other HyperWorks products which
you are currently using. For instance, if HyperView is in use (requiring 21 HWU) and
Batch Mesher is then launched, the total usage will be 42 HWU.

Original CAD geometry (blue) has been automatically simplified

to generate mesh based on the user's requirements (red)
On a PC, Batch Mesher can be launched by selecting Altair HyperWorks > Altair Tools >
Batch Mesher on the Start menu, or by typing hw_batchmesh in the full path. Unix
platform users should type hw_batchmesh on the command line, or hw_batchmesh nogui to perform the batch mesh without the user interface.
>> Further information can be found in the Online Help within Batch Mesher, and in the
HyperWorks 7.0 Release Notes. You can find product documentation in our Client
Center.

Top ten tips

Please view the PDF if you are

unable to see the pictures in this
One of the most popular features in the Altair Insider each
e-mail. If you can't access the
month is the collection of tips and tricks produced by our
PDF files or did not receive the
technical support staff. These highlight ways to get the
attachments, please contact infomost from HyperWorks, giving step-by-step advice.
update@altair.com.
We asked the team to identify the top ten articles which
could help improve your productivity in 2005. Simply click
on any of the items below to access the PDFs.
HyperMesh
> HyperMesh interaction with CATIA weld files and MWF
files to create connectors - PDF
> Set up ABAQUS initial conditions and steps from the
new Step Manager tool - PDF
MotionView
> Create MBD models from MotionView's vehicle library
for use with MotionSolve and ABAQUS - PDF
> Using field test data to create vehicle model inputs PDF
HyperView/HyperGraph
> Use Hyper3D (H3D) files in your Microsoft PowerPoint
presentation - PDF
> Plot window locations where you can use Templex
functions to display information from the curve - PDF
HyperMorph
> Tips for morphing first and second-order tetra elements
- PDF
> Reduce the time for computing HyperMorph handles
influences for large models - PDF
OptiStruct
> Maximize frequencies only for optimization of a model
containing normal mode subcases and static optimization
constraints - PDF
> Establish a relationship (link) between OptiStruct design
variables - PDF
>> A range of other topics are covered in the online
archive of Tips and Tricks articles within our Client
Center.
If you have not registered on our site before, you will be asked to complete a
brief signup form. This will also give you access to other support resources,
including documentation, tutorials, software updates, macros and the
iExchange message board.

Develop your skills

Here are our upcoming training sessions for HyperWorks.
Simply click on each title to view details of the course's
content.

Troy, Michigan training classes

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Intro. FEA Modeling & Results Visualization

Feb. 7-9
Interfacing HyperWorks with ABAQUS Feb. 10
Intro. HyperMorph Feb. 14
Intro. Results Visualization & Data Analysis
Feb. 16
Intro. Concept Design & Fine Tuning with
OptiStruct Feb. 15-16
Intro. DOE, Optimization & Stochastic Studies
Feb. 17
Advance HyperMorph Feb. 18
Intro. HyperMesh Process Automation Feb. 18
Intro. FEA Modeling & Results Visualization
Feb. 21-23
Interfacing HyperWorks with LS-Dyna Feb. 24
Intro. MBD Modeling & Results Visualization
Feb. 24-25

Irvine, California training classes

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Intro. Modeling & Results Visualization Feb. 810

>> You can get more details on these courses, obtain a

full schedule, or enquire about tailored, on-site training by
calling your local Altair office or e-mailing
training@altair.com

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1/27/2005