Create the Part

Defining the part geometry is generally the first step in the development of a finite element model.

Here, the plate geometry is defined to generate a 3-dimensional part.

Open ANSYS Mechanical APDL using the Helius PFA for ANSYS Launcher tool (shown below). This tool launches ANSYS with the necessary environment variables to run Helius PFA with ANSYS.
- This tool is installed with Helius PFA and is found on the desktop. It can also be located at the following path:
```
%install_dir%\bin\ansys-helius-launcher.exe
```
Click the Run button in the ANSYS Mechanical APDL Product Launcher. The ANSYS GUI will appear.
In order to generate a uniform, mapped mesh, the plate will be divided into 8 volumes.
Click Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Volumes > Block > By 2 Corners & Z.
In the dialog box that appears, enter the following values and click the Apply button:
- WP X = 0
- WP Y = 0
- Width = 0.75
- Height = 2.25
- Depth = 0.144
Repeat Step 4 entering the following values for WP X, WP Y, Width, Height, and Depth each time:
- 0.75, 0, 0.75, 2.25, 0.144
- 0, 2.25, 0.75, 0.75, 0.144
- 0.75, 2.25, 0.75, 0.75, 0.144
- 0, 3, 0.75, 0.75, 0.144
- 0.75, 3, 0.75, 0.75, 0.144
- 0, 3.75, 0.75, 2.25, 0.144
- 0.75, 3.75, 0.75, 2.25, 0.144
Click Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Volumes > Cylinder > Solid Cylinder.
In the dialog box that appears, enter the following values then click OK:
- WP X = 0.75
- WP Y = 3.0
- Radius = 0.125
- Depth = 0.144
Click Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Booleans > Subtract > Volumes.
Select the 8 blocks that were created in Steps 4 and 5 and click OK. When prompted to select the volumes to be subtracted, pick the cylinder and click OK. The plate should appear as shown below.
To complete the geometry, the 8 volumes must be merged. Click Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Booleans > Glue > Volumes. Select the 8 volumes and click OK.