Hi,
I have a 3D CAD surface model of a structure that I would like to import and analysis in Robot using Shell elements (See image below).
The geometry is not that complicated, but Robot seems unable to open/read the file AT ALL. I tried using a different set of files such as .SAT .IGS .DXF .STP but I ended up with the same result.
Is there a better and WORKING method to import "surface" geometry into Robot with more ease?
I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.
CAD file attached for reference.
I tried a lot to get it imported. No way with the native dwg. Exploding the panels/regions some multiple times ,I was able to import some bars but not enough to easily define the panels in Robot.
I tried also to mesh the panels in autocad before opening on Robot, as it seems it will work ,as described on a post answer.
But my autocad 3d knowledge is very limited and I could not produce any reasonable mesh. I am sorry.
As you said ,it is not so hard to do it in Robot from scratch ,but certainly it is obvious that RSA import feature is lacking functionality very much!!!
Rafael Medeiros
Did you find this post helpful? Feel free to Like this post.
Did your question get successfully answered? Then click on the ACCEPT SOLUTION button.
One thing that i have learned through all these years is that importing dwg/dwf will work well only if dwg is made of simple lines, if there are arcs, blocks,etc ,you have explode and turn them all into single lines
More and more complex shapes are coming to life.
Importing should be simple and easy for a wide range of formats. But for dwg it should be perfect!
Rafael Medeiros
Did you find this post helpful? Feel free to Like this post.
Did your question get successfully answered? Then click on the ACCEPT SOLUTION button.
Hi @EduardoMeruvia ,
I did my best. However, incoherent mesh still there:
Do you find the posts helpful? "LIKE" these posts!
Have your question been answered successfully? Click 'ACCEPT SOLUTION' button.
Roman Zhelezniak
Robot Evangelist & Passionate Civil Structural Engineer
Hi @Romanich ,
Appreciate your response. You definitely got further than I did in getting more of the model across!
I ended up using Strand7 instead to complete the FEA analysis. Took about less than 5mins to get the geometry across and getting a compatible mesh. Hopefully Robot will soon include a similar functionality to its arsenal :D.
Are you able to save this Strand Model(nice mesh!!) on dxf and open it in Robot?
Rafael Medeiros
Did you find this post helpful? Feel free to Like this post.
Did your question get successfully answered? Then click on the ACCEPT SOLUTION button.
Your idea took us one step closer!
I was able to export meshed Strand7 model in to a DXF, and then import/open that directly in to Robot. With Robot's standard settings, the DXF came across as "BAR" elements i.e. it broke down all the meshed surface components into a small square frames formed by bar elements, see image below.
Changing the import settings so to convert surfaces to QUAD4 or QUAD8 meshes, allowed me to actually bring the mesh as MESH. However, the panel component that encases the mesh has to be place manually by selecting the all the corresponding "MESH" components and then assigning it a panel thickness/property (see image below, base plate panel assigned to all MESH FEA component of the base plate).
From that quick exercise, I think you can follow that process, and manually select the MESH components corresponding to the Pipe, Stiffners, End PLates, etc. and then assign the panel property as required. Still some decent manual "cleaning up" processing from the user end, but at least it seems you will get a model with a compatible mesh that should work for your analysis.
Exported DXF file for your reference if you feel like giving it a try on your end.
That was exactly what I was planning to do when I suggested the dxf conversion. Well done!!!
But being autocad and Robot ,both from Autodesk , the conversion should be easy and flawless!!
Maybe @Krzysztof_Wasik can show us an easier way to do it!
Rafael Medeiros
Did you find this post helpful? Feel free to Like this post.
Did your question get successfully answered? Then click on the ACCEPT SOLUTION button.
Hi @Rafacascudo @EduardoMeruvia @Romanich
I have checked the following workflow.
I have opened DWG file in Fusion 360 then saved file in SAt format.
Then Model could be imported to Robot
Panels was created using geometrical objects.
Model was meshed and calculated (no incoherences)
Some final tuning regarding panel ,local axes are necessary (and possible) and some additional work on small openings (also possible)
I hope it could help
Hi @Krzysztof_Wasik,
Thank you for your reply.
Just one question, I tried following your method and I seem to manage to get the .SAT file (exported from fusion 360) in to Robot. But once in Robot when I assigned a panel thickness to them and try to mesh them, they produce an incoherent mesh. See image below.
When you said you created your panels using the "geometrical Objects" could shown me how did you do that step?
Appreciate your help.
It is not my best video but I hope it shows the idea quit clearly
