Importing and exporting weld connections with xMCF

Using extended master connection files (xMCF), you can import and export the following weld connections:

• From the FEM or assembly FEM file, seam weld and spot weld universal connections.

• From the Simulation file, Specialist Durability seam weld and spot weld objects.

xMCF format

The extended master connection file (xMCF) format is the standard file format used in industry to describe all of the connection and joint information needed for large, complex structures such as automobiles. Using xMCF files, you can more easily exchange connection and assembly information between design, manufacturing, and finite element analysis applications.

The following is a short sample xMCF file exported by the software. It contains one connection group and one seam weld connection. Following the sample xMCF file is a table that briefly describes the main elements of the XML file and the type of information you can expect to see imported to and exported from the software. For the complete xMCF standard and XML file format, see

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no" ?><xmcf xmlns:xsi=" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="xmcf_3_0_0.xsd">  <!-- $==============================================================================         $     Exported by Simcenter 3D        $              $     Created at    : mm-dd-yyyy   hh:ss        $     From Document : <<directory path to FEM file>>        $     User          : m        $              $     Units         :        $                   : Length :  MilliMeter        $                   : Mass :    Ton        $                   : Time :    Second        $                   : Angle :   Degrees        $                   : Torque :  NewtonMeter        $              $     xMCF version  : 3.0.0        $============================================================================== -->  <version>3.0.0</version>  <units angle="deg" force="N" length="mm" mass="t" time="s" torque="Nm"/>  <date>mm-dd-yyyy</date>  <connection_group id="1">    <connected_to>      <part index="1" pid="10"/>      <part index="2" pid="30"/>    </connected_to>    <connection_list>      <connection_1d label="Y-Joint - Seam Weld Connection">        <loc_list>          <loc>53.823000 -326.535000 26.522000</loc>          <loc>57.882000 -326.806000 22.960000</loc>			.			.          <loc>80.410000 329.621000 8.249000</loc>          <loc>76.527000 328.975000 10.282000</loc>        </loc_list>        <seamweld>          <y_joint base="1" technology="Arc">            <weld_position angle="1.000000" filler="no" penetration="1.000000" section="HV" shape="straight" thickness="1.000000" u="0.080000" x="0.000000" y="0.000000" z="1.000000"/>            <sheet_parameter gap="1.000000" index="2" sheet_angle="1.000000"/>          </y_joint>        </seamweld>		<appdata name="Siemens Simcenter3D">			<approach                  value="R1MS" />			<geometry_defined_by       value="ChangingAngle" />			<rel_averaging_length      value="0.4" />			<force_scale_factor_at_end value="0.5" />			<auto_scale                value="off" /> 			<distance_definition       value="Sheet" />			<relative_distance         value="0.5;2.3;5" />		</appdata>      </connection_1d>    </connection_list>  </connection_group></xmcf>

Note:

After importing a universal connection, you must edit the connection and assign a material property before you can realize (mesh) the connection.

When you import and export data that is not supported, a message is written to the Information window.

Elements and Attributes	Description
	Lists the connected parts and all of the universal connections that join them. Each group is labeled using a unique numeric identifier (id).
For each , contains a part or assembly index and property ID (PID) to identify the mesh or assembly components that are connected by the seam or spot weld.
	Defines the flanges for the connection.For spot welds, each part index is given a unique number from one to four, which corresponds to one of four possible flange selections available in the Spot Weld dialog box.For seam welds, the base attribute sets the Base Flange on the Flanges page.For more information, see in this table.
	Defines a structure consisting of two or more elements. All elements nested under an element represent the same flange.
	For each , lists each connection as a or element.
The elements contain information for spot welds, such as the name (label), diameter, and location. This information also populates the Spot Weld Connection dialog box.
label	Populates the connection name, which appears in the Simulation Navigator and in the dialog box. If no value is provided, the default name is as follows:Spot Weld Connection_pid1_pid2If duplicate names are detected, a number is appended to the name.
	Populates Diameter on the Physicals page.Note: If all spot weld connections in a have the same diameter, they are combined into a single spot weld connection.
	Lists the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each weld from the Locations List on the Locations page.When you export spot welds, the locations are exported as coordinates even if they are defined with a different option in the dialog box.When you export connections from an assembly FEM, the coordinates are exported as follows:When the assembly FEM is the displayed part and the work part, the global coordinate system of the assembly FEM is used to export the coordinates.When the subassembly FEM or component FEM is the displayed part and the work part, the local coordinate system of the subassembly FEM or component FEM is used to export the coordinates.
The elements contains information for seam welds, such as the name (label), weld location, weld position, weld type, and properties. This information also populates the Seam Weld Connection dialog box.
label	Populates the connection name. If no value is provided, the default name is Seam Weld Connection followed by the flange IDs:Seam Weld Connection_pid1_pid2If duplicate names are detected, a number is appended to the name.
	Lists the coordinates of the location.Populates Locations List on the Locations page and selects the Use Original Nodes of Connection check box.
Lists the type of weld, weld position, and sheet parameters. This information populates the Seam Weld Connection dialog box.The filler material is assigned to an imported weld only when a material with the exact name already exists in the material library.
	Specifies the type of seam weld, which populates the Type list on the Flanges page.For importing universal connection seam welds, all weld types are imported.For exporting universal connection seam welds:Connections whose Type is set to anything but Other are exported with the Type value that is set in the Seam Weld Connection dialog box.Connections whose Type is set to Other are exported as corner_weld, and no weld positions (gap and width) are written to the XML file.Connections whose Technology is set to anything but Arc, Laser, or Resistance are exported as Arc.For exporting durability seam welds:The durability calculation data (stress-based recovery simulation objects) are exported as .
	For universal connection seam welds, all values are supported.When you export a weld defined using Flange - Side on the Weld Properties page of the Seam Weld Connection dialog box, the software converts the flange-side weld direction into a vector format with values for x, y, and z, which the xMCF standard requires.When you import a seam weld, the weld location must contain nonzero values for x, y, and z. If the weld location is defined with a value of zero for x, y, and z, the connection appears with the Invalid status. You must update the connection to use a vector if you want valid values in the exported xMCF file.To correct the problem, make the FEM file the work part, and under the Universal Connections container, right-click the connection and choose Edit. In the Seam Weld Connectiondialog box, click the Weld Properties page and specify a vector.For durability welds:The number of welds is determined by the number of elements, and all attributes are supported. The corresponding values are populated with the attributes. If a filler material is specified in the xMCF file, the software searches for a matching material in Pre/Post. If a match is not found, the material is ignored.
	For universal connections, only the gap attribute is supported, and it populates the Height on the Physicals page. The attributes for thickness and angle are ignored.For durability welds, on the Flanges page:All of the sheet parameters are supported for all flanges except the Base Flange.If the flange thickness is set to Inherited, the thickness value is not exported.
Contains data that defines durability seam weld objects.Simcenter 3D supports data that was defined in LMS Virtual.Lab for durability seam welds. Specifically, the following durability objects are created for each connection_group where is defined. If is not defined, the durability objects are created with default values.Stress Based Recovery is imported and exported.Notch Stress Configuration is imported but not exported.Note: Even though it is imported, it cannot be assigned to welds. You must select the Notch Stress Configuration object and assign it to the analysis.In the element, the name attribute must be defined as LMS Virtual.Lab or Siemens Simcenter 3D. When you import LMS Virtual.Lab data, the application name in the element is LMS Virtual.Lab. When you export that data, the name is Siemens Simcenter 3D.

Note:

Finite element data () is not supported.

The values on the Tolerances page are not imported or exported.

Importing and exporting weld connections with xMCF, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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