Limitations of CosmosXpress

I am trying to analyse with CosmosXpress a sheet metal frame. It is made
with 1.2mm to 2 mm sheet metal, and is around 2600 x 1400 mm in size.
It is symetrical left/ right.

CosmosXpress fails analysis: either the size of the element is too big,
either it cannot get enough memory to succeed. Mem usage for SW goes to max
450Mo, while I have 2Go Ram and maybe 3Go swap.

I did not succeed either simplifying the structure in halving the model, as
I cannot specify a displacement other that fixed.

I know that CosmosXpress is a sample to make us buy the whole product, but
is there a way around these limitations?

Would the full version be able to succeed?

TIA
JM

 

CX is the wrong tool for this job. It does a fair job of compact
objects with very simple boundary conditions. NE/Nastran or NEiWorks
do a very good job of meshing and solving thin, skinny parts. And with
sheet metal, buckling is a very real possibility that has to be
checked.

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CosmosWorks Designer (part of SolidWorks Office Premium) would do this
job very well using shell meshing.
It uses the midplane suface of the sheetmetal part and therefore does
not need an excess amount of elements to solve problems when you work
with thin parts.

Designer would also allow for modelling half the geometry as there are
more restraint options.

If buckling is a factor you wold want to look at then you would need
the next version up - CosmosWorks Proffesional

have a look at: http://www.solidworks.com/pages/news/seminars/SolidWorksTipsandTricksArchives.html
there is a pdf and a video on Analyzing Sheet Metal Parts and
Assemblies

Justin

 

There have been a couple drawbacks in Cosmos regarding shell meshing.
I remember trying it as far back as 98 and as recently as 2003/4. It
didn't always get the meshes to match where two surfaces met. I don't
know if they have addressed this in today's versions.

The other issue, and this is part preference and part based on fact is
that Cosmos won't create a hex mesh while some of the others will. I
really prefer this in a shell model as it can cut down on the dof
tremendously.

Visualization of shell results is also something that can become very
important as are tools for joining shell meshes to solid meshes or
stick meshes.

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Thanks for the answers... No free meal.

 

Jean,

Cosmos also has their older product Cosmos/M which will do just about
anything. Just isn't very user friendly except for geeks and nerds.

Both SRAC and Noran will do consulting but that will cost too. I think
it can be fairly cost effective some times.

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