ANSA Morph

In order to create splits exactly on the rail faces, define Control Points using the CONTROL POINTS> INSERT [NORMAL] function.

Split the Box at the positions of the created Points. Use the BOXES> SPLIT [User] function and select the created Points with the right mouse button to snap on the Points. 

NOTE: Set the Tangency flag in the Options List Window to Off in order to avoid applying tangency constraints when a split is defined.

Do the same for all the sides of the rail. Also a split must be created in each one of the two planes of symmetry.

Now the required splits for the embosses will be created. Define the Control Points where the splits will be created by projecting positions of the FE model to the Morphing Box Edges as shown at the picture on the right. Use again the CONTROL POINTS> INSERT [Project] function.

Use the BOXES> SPLIT [User] function and select the created Points with the right mouse button to snap on the Points. The splits are created.

DefineMorphing Parameters

To handle the shape of the model, Morphing Parameters will be created. Activate the CONTROLS> PARAMS [NEW] function. The Parameter card opens. The user can select the type of the parameter that is going to be defined through the Type pull-down menu.

Two Morphing parameters are needed to handle the depth of the embosses. To define the first parameter activate the CONTROLS> PARAMS [NEW]. In the card that appears select parameter type EXTEND, enter the name (Emboss_depth_1) for the parameter and confirm. Use the F6 key to orient the model according to the X-Z plane. Then select the Control Points that will be handled from the parameter and middle click to confirm. Select the Morphing Box Edges where the selected Control Points will slide on and confirm again.

This parameter Emboss_depth_1 handles the depth of the horizontal embosses.

In the same way define the second length parameter which handles the depth of the vertical embosses. To facilitate the selection of the Control Points align the model to the X-Y plane by picking the F4 key. The parameter’s name is Emboss_depth_2.
 

To modify the values of the parameters activate the function CONTROLS>PARAMS. In the Parameters list that appears select the defined parameter and pick the MORPH button.

Note: The list's buttons are activated by the small arrow located at the left.
 

The Parametric Movement window appears where the user can specify a value for the emboss depth.

The width of the embosses will be controlled with one Morphing Parameter. Activate the CONTROLS> PARAMS [NEW] function, and select Type “TRANSFORM”, Movement “TRANSLATE”. Optionally, enter the name Emboss_width and confirm.

Select the Control Points of the left side of the embosses as shown at the picture on the right and confirm. In the Axis Definition window that appears define the vector for the translation which in this case is the X-axis. Middle click to confirm.

Select the Control Points of the right side of the embosses (yellow ones) and confirm. In the Axis Definition window define the translation vector (negative X-axis). Middle click twice to confirm and exit the function.

The distance between the embosses will be defined as a parameter. In this case a new parameter with type TRANSFORM is used. The selected Control Points will be moved along a specified vector.

Select all the Control Points of the one emboss (white ones) and middle click to confirm. In the Axis Definition window that appears define the vector of the translation. In this case the X-axis. Middle click to confirm and another group of Control Points can be selected (yellow ones) and another translation vector (negative X-axis). Middle click twice to exit the function. The name of the parameter is Emboss_distance.
 

All the parameters are defined and can be visualized, edited or modified through the Parameters list: CONTROLS>PARAMS.