Connections Menu

Focuses on various connecting options to connect components of the crash model to complete the assembly.

It also includes HyperMesh solver neutral connection definition through connectors. The menu varies, depending on the solver that is loaded.

The following tools are available:
Nodal Rigid Body Create, edit and review nodal rigid bodies through the Rigids panel with elem types set to RgdBody (LS-DYNA only).
Extra Node Create, edit and review Constrained_Extra_Nodes through the Groups panel with card image and type set to Xtranode (LS-DYNA only).
Node Set Create, edit and review constrained_node_set through the Rigids panel with elem types set to ConNode (LS-DYNA only).
Joint Create, edit and review Joints through the FE Joints panel.
RBE2 Open the Rigids panel with the elem types field set to RBE2.
RBody Manager Display all rigid bodies in the model; display individual rigid bodies; create new and edit existing, simple and complex rigid body formulations; and view and update details of individual rigid bodies, through the card editor and the Rigid panel.
Rigid Body Create, edit and review Constrained_Rigid_Body through the Groups panel with card image and type set to Xtranode.
Rigid Link Open the Rigids panel with the elem types field set to RLINK.
Welds Create, edit and review welds through the Rigids panel with elem types set to GenWeld.
Table 1. Connectors Submenu
Adhesive Create area-based connectors such as adhesives.
Apply Mass Use a "dummy" connector entity to add mass to a part or create areas of mass to represent parts not present in the CAD or FE data.
Autopitch Creation of spotwelds based on user defined pitch on the selected part with automatic flange recognition.
Bolt Create bolt connectors.
Compare Compares the model’s current connectors with a master connection file (MCF) so that you can quickly locate discrepancies.
Connector Browser View and modify connectors in the current model.
FE Absorb Add (absorb) existing FE weld entities as realization to connectors.
Import Weld Points Import a master weld file that has connector location and the components that it connects.
Quality Perform FE quality checks on connector entities.
Realize Realize the defined connector to FE entities based on the solver.
Seam Create line-based connections.
Spotweld Opens the Connector Spot panel, where you can create connectors that represent point connectors such as spot welds.
Unrealize panel Remove existing welds.