Interface to Abaqus (Midplane)

Fill+Pack and Fiber results for Midplane models can be exported to a partial Abaqus input file for further structural (usually Stress) analysis.

The finite element model and result data provided by the Autodesk Moldflow Insight analysis allows Abaqus/Standard to perform shrinkage and warpage analyses based on residual stresses from the molding analysis, including filling and packing and/or fiber orientation. In addition, Abaqus/Standard can perform structural analyses on components with or without residual stress.

Interfacing to Abaqus

The Abaqus options dialog in the solver parameters provides three export options:

• For original Autodesk Moldflow Insight / Abaqus 6.2 license holders, a single *.mab file in ASCII format is created.
• For original C-MOLD / Abaqus 6.2 license holders, two ASCII files are generated: a *.fem finite element model file, and an *.osp file containing residual stress and/or material property information.
• For Autodesk Moldflow Insight / Abaqus 6.3 users, an *.osp file containing residual stress and/or material property information is generated. You must export the mesh model in *.pat file form (Click (File > Export) and select Patran File (*.pat) in the Save as Type list).

Note: If the *.osp file generated by Autodesk Moldflow Insight contains the "~" character; rename the file to remove that character otherwise, Abaqus will not be able to import the file.

The Abaqus Interface for Autodesk Moldflow reads the interface file and creates the following files:

Abaqus input (.inp) file

Contains model data such as nodal coordinates, element topology, and section definitions. If you are working with isotropic materials, the input file also contains material property data.

Neutral (.shf) file

Contains lamina material data for each layer of each element. (This file is created only when working with layered, spatially varying materials.)

Initial stress (.str) file

Contains initial stress data. (When executing Abaqus/ Autodesk Moldflow, the user can request that this file be omitted and initial stress data ignored.) If applicable, the neutral file and the initial stress file are read into Abaqus/Standard during the initial step.

Assumptions

When working with layered, spatially varying materials, the Abaqus Interface for Autodesk Moldflow assumes the following:

• Laminated composite shell elements.
• Lamina material properties are given in the principal material direction of each layer.
• 20 laminates will be output.
  Note: Fill+Pack outputs 12 laminates by default and will therefore be interpolated to 20 laminates for Abaqus.

When working with isotropic materials, the Abaqus Interface for Autodesk Moldflow assumes the following:

• Homogeneous shell elements.
• In the .mab file, thermo-mechanical properties of the first element are used for all elements of the model. In the .osp file, a single set of thermo-mechanical properties is provided.