Universal connections

Usually, a large number of connections are present in the assembly models that are used in industries like the automotive industry. If you want to use this assembly model in different analyses such as NVH, crash, durability, and so on, or with different solvers such as Nastran, Abaqus and ANSYS, then you must remesh all of the connections for each analysis type and solver, which can be very time consuming. To avoid manually remeshing these connections, you can use universal connections, which are solver independent.

Universal connections are valid across multiple solvers and analysis types. Use them to connect different meshed parts or geometries (polygon bodies). When you use universal connections, you can manage an assembly that contains finite element components or geometric components that were created in other systems or preprocessors.

For example, you can use universal connections in NVH hybrid assemblies.

Workflow

Using universal connections is a two-step process.

1. Create the universal connection.You can create universal connections manually using the universal connection commands, or you can import and export predefined connections, including seam weld, spot weld, and bolt connections. A predefined connection contains information about the nodes, property IDs, and connection parameters with units of measurement.For more information about importing universal connections, see Importing and exporting weld connections with xMCF.For more information about exporting universal connections, see Export universal connections using xMCF.

2. Realize (mesh) the universal connection by assigning the solver-specific element type and properties to the universal connections using the Automatic Elements or Connection Elements commands.This step creates solver-specific meshes for the defined connections. When you switch solvers, you realize (mesh) the same universal connections again for the new solver.

A Universal Connections container in the Simulation Navigator stores the universal connections.

Tip:

You can customize the default settings for Universal Connections by choosing File→Utilities→Customer Defaults→Pre/Post→Universal Connection.

You can manage the colors of your Universal Connections by choosing Menu→Preferences→Model Display.

In the following example for the Nastran solver, notice that before realizing (meshing), the connections are in the Universal Connections container only. After realizing the universal connections, notice that the meshing process created a 1D Collectors container with a CBUSH element mesh collector and the 1D spring element. The Nastran solver uses these 1D elements, not the universal connections.

Universal connection (not realized)	Universal connection (realized)

Solver-specific elements

To view element properties, under the FEM file, expand an element collector, right-click an element, and choose Solver Syntax Preview. The element and its properties appear in the Information window.

For examples of meshed (realized) universal connections with solver specific elements, see Universal connection elements.

For information on Nastran elements, see Simcenter Nastran Element Library Reference.

For information on Abaqus element properties, see Abaqus elements.

Managing element-associated data

For many of the universal connections, such as bolt and spot weld connections, the software uses element-associated data to define the attributes of the elements it creates when realizing the universal connections. The element-associated data uses physical property tables to define the material, section, degrees of freedom, and coordinate systems, as appropriate. The number of physical property tables created depends on the properties of the connections. For example, if two bolt connections in the Abaqus environment have different diameters, a physical property table is created for each diameter and referenced by the corresponding B31 element.

For more information about managing element-associated data in the Abaqus environment, see Managing element-associated data for universal connections (Abaqus).

Element compatibility in supported solver environments

You can create and import/export universal connections independent of a solver. However, to generate (realize) the actual elements for a universal connection type, the solver specified for the FEM or assembly FEM file must support that universal connection type.

Universal connection type	Nastran	Abaqus	ANSYS	LS-DYNA
Adhesive connection
Bar connection
Bearing connection
Bolt connection
Bushing connection
Clinch connection
Crimp connection
Damper connection
Kinematic connection
Lumped Mass connection
Rigid connection
Rivet connection
Sealing connection
Seam weld connection
Spot weld connection
Spring connection

Where do I find it?

Universal connections commands

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	A FEM or assembly FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	Adhesive Connection Bearing Connection Bolt Connection Bushing Connection Clinch Connection Crimp Connection Damper Connection Kinematic Connection Lumped Mass Connection Rigid Connection Rivet Connection Sealing Connection Seam Weld Connection Spot Weld Connection Spring Connection

Connection Elements command

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	A FEM or assembly FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	Connection Elements

Import Connections and Export Connections commands

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	A FEM or assembly FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	Import Connections Export Connections

Connection Folder command

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	A FEM or assembly FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	Connection Folder

How do I

Realize (mesh) universal connections

Create and edit universal connections

Learn more

Managing element-associated data for universal connections (Abaqus)

Local spider element targets in universal connections

Bearing universal connection for rotor dynamics (SOL 414)

Using bushing universal connections in rotor dynamics (SOL 414)

Clinch universal connections in the LS-DYNA environment

Look up more details

Universal connection elements

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Universal connections, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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