Patran – Simulating Reality, Delivering Certainty

Patran Fields

Ken Walker — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 17:00:25 +0000

Fields in Patran are used whenever you need to define variable (non-constant) data. Applications include material properties, element properties, or load variations as a function of time, frequency, or spatial position. Fields are also helpful to map results between dissimilar meshes. Practical uses are briefly described below.

Nonlinear Analysis in MSC Nastran to Reduce Design Bottlenecks

Product Marketing — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 17:00:47 +0000

Sporadic use of advanced finite element analysis (FEA) software, such as nonlinear analysis by design engineers, can result in either excessive refresher training time or a bottleneck while in the queue for an analyst. The cause is a result of different types of solvers requiring different models. Commercially available translators can help, but still require significant amounts of cleanup. However, by integrating solvers in MSC Nastran’s SOL 600, the same model in the familiar MSC Nastran format can be used for both liner and MSC Marc nonlinear analysis.

Patran Tip – Displaying IDs: Solid 1.4, Surface 4.2, etc.

Product Marketing — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:47:53 +0000

Question: I need to apply a pressure to face Solid 1.4, how can I display this ID on the viewport? Answer: Go to Utilities>Display>Geometry Free Faces/Edges… and check on Free Faces, Free Edges, or Free Vert. and Face Label. Want to expand your knowledge? Watch a SimAcademy webinar. SimAcademy webinars teach you how to use ...

Patran Tip – Identify Entity IDs On-the-fly

Product Marketing — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:44:08 +0000

Question: How do I get ID numbers to appear on an entity as I move my mouse over them? Answer: Go to Preferences>Picking and check on “Label Highlighting.” Whenever you hover over an entity, the ID becomes visible. Want to expand your knowledge? Watch a SimAcademy webinar. SimAcademy webinars teach you how to use the ...

Patran Tip – Group Transform: Translate, Rotate, Mirror, and more

Product Marketing — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:10:06 +0000

Question: Is there a way to easily rotate a group of elements? Answer:Yes, you can “transform” groups such that you translate, rotate, scale, mirror, and more. In addition, the associated boundary conditions and element properties are carried over. You can use the tool as follows: Option 1: In the model tree, you can right click on ...

Patran Tip – Student Tutorials

Product Marketing — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:07:10 +0000

Question: Where can I find Patran tutorials for students? Answer: You can find 30 Patran tutotrials on our YouTube channel. Here is a list. Tutorials 6-30 are referenced from page 305 of this document Patran 2012.2 Reference Manual Part 6: Results Post Processing. Installation of the Student Edition Patran Home Tab Tools Overview Bending Stresses in a ...

Patran Tip – Viewing the Stress Recovery Points in Beams

Product Marketing — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:05:59 +0000

Question: Is there a way to view the stress recovery points C, D, E and F in Patran for Beam elements? Answer:Yes, you use the "MSC Beam Verification Tools (2.2)" that is located in the Utilities>Display section of Patran. You can watch this YouTube Video as a guide. Make sure to follow each step. ...

Patran Tip – Automatically Color Groups

Product Marketing — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:05:16 +0000

Question: How do I quickly change the colors of my groups so I can better differentiate them? Answer: In the “Utilities Menu,” there is a “Group>Group Color…” tool. You can use this tool to automatically change the color of your posted groups. Do you need consulting support for a project? Please visit our Engineering Services page ...

Patran Tip – Visually Display the Thicknesses of 2D Elements

Product Marketing — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:25:38 +0000

Question: When defining the thicknesses of 2D elements in Patran, how can I visually see the thicknesses? Answer: Patran has a “Display Shell Thickness” tool located in the Utilities>Display menu. In this model I have elements defined with 5 different thicknesses. I simply select the elements I would like to see the thicknesses for ...

Lightweight, High Performance – Composites A Composite Gearbox for Formula 1

Product Marketing — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 01:00:42 +0000

The first U.S. F1 Grand Prix since 2007 takes place this weekend. It will air on the Speed Channel at 11am PDT for those interested. In preparation for this exciting event, I look back at one particular innovation made in F1. In 2004, the Honda Racing F1 Team produced what they considered a “jewel in ...