plotting results at a point

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am currently trying to perform a "quenching" analysis. I am trying to get an XY plot of the temperature vs. time at a specific point in the interior of the solid. In the plot menu, it only allows me to select nodes or elements for multi-set plots. So I try to do a 'half-section' view to select a node "near" the point I want but that doesn't work. In fact, I don't think you can select an interior node at all. Is there any way around this? 

Thanks in advance

[John_Holtz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

You are correct that Nastran In-CAD/Inventor Nastran will only plot the results from a node or element, and it will not show the internal nodes even when you section the model.

These are the options that I can think of:

1. Split the part into multiple parts so that the new face passes through the coordinate of interest. This will create multiple parts, so you need to put them into an assembly (and use contact in the analysis to bond them). Then you can hide one of the parts to get the node numbers that are "inside" the volume.
2. Using your existing model, read the Nastran file (.NAS) and find the node number (the "GRID") that is closest in space to the desired point. This is easier to do if you use the attached spreadsheet/program to convert the GRID lines in the .NAS file to a CSV file, then open the CSV file in a spreadsheet. You can then sort the nodes by X, Y, Z coordinates and visually choose the node, or you could calculate the distance between each node and the desired coordinate and choose the smallest distance. (Remove the TXT extension from the attached "export Nastran deck-ver 4.xlsm" and open it with Excel. I created the program, so user beware 😀.)

P.S. I have not looked, but the Ideas board may have the suggestion to show the internal nodes ... in case you want to vote for that idea.

[John_Holtz]

Test 1. Will the forum let me attach the file now?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to tinker around with option 2. I guess once I locate the node from grid data, I will have to find programmatically the T vs t for that node?

[Anonymous]

nevermind, I see what you mean. I use your program to get the node number, and then enter that number in the xy plot menu (I forgot I could enter a value instead of 'selecting' a node on screen)

Good work on that program btw