Define and Assign the Element Coordinate System

The element coordinate system can be defined after the part and material have been created.

A local coordinate system needs to be defined and assigned to the elements to align the 0 degree plies with the loading direction.

1. To define a local, rectangular coordinate system with the x-axis aligned with the global loading direction (the global y-axis), enter the following into the command prompt: LOCAL,11,CART,0,0,0,90,0,0

2. To assign the local coordinate system to the elements, enter ESYS,11 into the command prompt. The image below shows the local coordinate system relative to the base of the part.