Autopitch tool은 용접 정보가 없는 CAD 파일을 가지고 해석모델 구성할 때 사용됩니다. 일반적으로 용접 정보가 없는 CAD 파일들이 해석그룹으로 전달이 되면, 몇가지 가정을 바탕으로 용접 정보를 해석모델상에 구현하게 됩니다. Autopitch tool은 설계그룹으로부터 상세 용접 정보가 출도되기 전에 용접점 간 거리, 맨 끝 용접점과 그 말단 에지간의 거리, 용접점과 자유 에지간의 거리, 용접면을 자동구성하기 위한 용접면간 최소거리, 형상을 구분하기 위한 형상각 등의 정의를 바탕으로 피용접물의 용접면에 자동으로 Connector* 들을 생성해줍니다.
The tool is accessible via the Connectors > Create > Autopitch pull-down menu.
Input to Autopitch Tool are components between which you wish to automatically add connector*s. The Autopitch tool is a dialog box with six inputs. The option to pick the components (FE entities only) between which you wish to generate connector*s is the first choice. Once the components are selected, the remaining five inputs are as follows.
- Search distance: The distance to consider between components.
- Spot pitch distance: The distance between each connector*.
- Spot pitch end offset: The distance from the end of an edge or flange to the connector*.
- Distance from free edge: The distance from the free edge to the connector*.
- Feature angle: The feature angle is used to segregate the model into faces that are planar within its specified value.
This segregation is used to identify where Autopitch connector*s are placed. For example, faces found to have significant topological complexity are not used to create Autopitch connector*s. Note that by reducing its value, the complexity of some of these faces is generally reduced, but so it their extent. Of course, flat regions are unaffected by the parameter. The numbers in the diagram below correspond to the inputs described above:
Output from Autopitch Tool are a series of unrealized connector*s based on pre-defined parameters. These connector*s can be realized to a configured state via the Spot connector panel.
Connector* Definition: Connectors are geometric entities primarily used to create connections (Spot and Seam welds, Adhesives, Bolts and Masses). They are a medium through which connections between geometric and/or FE entities can be created, irrespective of being solver dependant or otherwise. Connectors can be created interactively or from different master connection files (*.xml, *.mcf, *.vip) and they contain information about connection locations, linked entities, re-connect rules etc.