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HyperMesh and BatchMesher

HM-3420: Creating Bolt Connectors

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Apply a bolted connection to the two rear trusses.

Exercise
This exercise uses the model file, frame_assembly_2.hm. The bolt panel creates connectors based on holes within the
connected components, using spiders or washers at each end of an RBE connector. When the bolt panel is active, only bolt-
type connectors display in the graphics area; graphics for other connector types are suppressed until you exit the panel.
The bolt panel contains three subpanels:

bolt Create and realize bolt connectors in a single process.

create Create, but do not realize, bolt connectors.

realize Create FE representations of previously-created bolt connectors.

Step 1: Retrieve and view the model file.

1. Retrieve the model file, frame_assembly_2.hm.
2. Take a few moments to observe the model using various visual options available in HyperMesh (rotation, zooming,
etc.).
3. Go to the Preferences menu and click User Profiles.
4. Select RADIOSS, then Bulk_Data.
5. Click OK to load the user profile.

Create a bolted connection between the two rear truss parts.

Step 2: Display only the assembly assem_5 for elements and geometry.
1. Turn on the display of the Model Browser by selecting View > Browsers > HyperMesh > Model.

2. Select the Model View ( ) in the Model Browser and expand the Assembly Hierarchy tree.

3. Verify the entity selection is set to Elements and Geometry ( ).

4. Right-click on assem_5 and select Isolate.

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This will only display the components that are in the assem_5 assembly.
5. Set Con_Rear_Truss to be the current component by right-clicking on it in the Model Browser and selecting Make
Current.

Step 3: Load the Connector Browser.

1. From the menu bar select View > Browsers > HyperMesh > Connector.
2. Review the layout of the Connector Browser.
The Connector Browser allows users to view and manage the connectors in their model. The top portion of the
browser is called the Link Entity Browser and it contains a listing of the components being connected with the
connectors. The lower portion is called the connector entity browser and it contains a list of the connectors in the
model. The connectors will be grouped based on the type of connection.
Currently there are no components or connectors listed because there are no connectors in your model.

Step 4: Create a bolt connector.

1. Access the Bolt panel by right clicking in the Connector Browser in the connector window and selecting Create >
Bolt.
2. Verify that location is set to nodes and select the node on the edge of the hole in the component, Rear_Truss_1.

3. For connect what: click on comps and select Rear_Truss_1 and Rear_Truss_2.
4. Click select.
5. In the tolerance= field, type 50.
The connector will connect any selected entities within this distance of itself.
6. Set type= to bolt (general).
Re-realizing the connector will allow you to see the different bolt types.
7. Click realize & hole detect details to open the options.
8. In the max dimension = field, type 60 to ensure that the diameter of the picked hole will be captured.

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9. Click create. Ensure the display of the current component is turned on.

Bolted connection

9. Click return to access the main menu.

Go to HyperMesh Tutorials

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