Create large quantities of bolts in one connection

This example shows you how to create large quantities of bolts in one universal connection by using centerlines to define the location of each bolt.

1. With the FEM file as the displayed and work part, mesh the target flanges that will act as the clamping surfaces of the connection.Note: You can create universal connections before you mesh the target flanges. But, you must mesh the connecting flanges before you can realize (mesh) the connections.

2. Choose Menu→Insert→Curve→Lines and Arcs→Line Point-Point.

3. Add center-lines at the desired bolt locations by specifying a start and end point for each line.Hole selected****Centerline created

4. Select the centerlines.

5. Right-click one of the selected centerlines and select Properties.

6. In the Line Properties dialog box, do the following:Click the General tab.In the Name box, type a name for the selected centerlines.Click OK.

7. In the Simulation Navigator, right-click Selection Recipes and choose New Selection Recipe.

8. In the Create Selection Recipe dialog box, do the following:From the Strategy list, select Attribute.In the Name box, type a name for the selection recipe.From the Entity Type list, select Curve.From the Attribute list, select Name.Click Add Attribute .In the Name group, from the Value Type list, select Single Value.In the Value box, type the name you assigned to the centerlines and press Enter.Click OK.

9. Choose Home tab→Universal Connections group→More→Bolt .

10. In the Bolt Connection dialog box, click the General tab and do the following:Type a name and optionally a description for the connection.In the Folder group, click Select Folder to browse for a connections container where you want to save the connection.

11. Click the Targets page and do the following:In the Flange group, click Select Object .Select the meshes, polygon bodies, polygon faces, or selection recipes that act as the clamping surface of the bolted connection.Figure 12-2. (1) Top face selected, (2) Bottom face selected

12. Click the Locations page and do the following:In the Axis Setup group, select Set of Curves.In the Simulation Navigator, select the selection recipe containing the centerlines.Click Add Location .

13. Click the Physicals page and do the following:Set the Shank Diameter.Tip: If your flange selections contains only 2D elements with defined thicknesses, you can automatically set the diameter of each bolt by using the Flange Hole Detection option to detect hole diameters.Set the Head Diameter.Set the Maximum Connection Length.If necessary, set the Shank Length Override.Click Select Material and choose a material property for the bolt connection.Note: You can create universal connection without assigning a material property. But, you must assign a material property to the connection before you can realize (mesh) the connection.

14. Click OK.

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Create large quantities of bolts in one connection, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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