E:\whit\Classes\BrianMente\FEMNASTRAN Installation.doc p. 1
Software Installation, Setup, Examples, Integration
Installation of FEMAP 7.1
FEMAP 7.1 must be installed on a computer running a current version of FEMAP 7.0. FEMAP 7.0 is installed simultaneously with Powersolver 8.0 from the Powersolver 8.0 CD-ROM. When the disk is inserted, it will bring up a setup screen automatically.
Select Install Software
Select Powersolver 8.0 (An installation wizard will begin)
When it asks, install both CAEFEM 6.0 and Powersolver 7.0
Select the path C:\Power80 for the directory
Select Network Client Version to install.
Select all available components to install (examples, VisQ, etc.)
After this has been completed, insert the FEMAP 7.1 CD-ROM and it will begin a setup wizard.
Select path C:\FEMAP for the directory
Select FEMAP Network Client Version to install
Select all available components to install (examples, VisQ, etc.)
Now you must obtain the software licenses for the software, a file called license.dat and place a copy in the FEMAP directory and the Power80 directory.
Installation of MI/NASTRAN
The MI/NASTRAN program may be downloaded from the website www.macroindustries.com and performing the following:
Select NASTRAN from the homepage
Select Download Version
Select the MITools20.exe file
You will have a 14 day demo version of the program and it’s manuals. To install the software open the downloaded file, and install it under the directory C:\MITools . If it is not installed as a direct subdirectory of C:\ there will probably be errors running the software.
Setting up the license (this step is for administrators only)
Open the file C:\MITools\bin\mitools.exe, it will bring up an application with a windows explorer-type application with NASTRAN buttons on the side. Select the following:
Options
FE Modeler Tab
Program (C:\FEMAP71\Femap.exe)
Extension (.mod)
MI\NASTRAN Tab
Always use ME/NASTRAN (check)
Install License Tab
Write down Password to contact Macroindustries with if you are interested in installing the full version
Modifying FEMAP to USE MI/NASTRAN as Default Solver
Unless told to do this, do not perform this step. Instead use the current default, which is CAEFEM.
Once in FEMAP 7.1, perform the following:
File.Preferences
Interfaces…
Interface(22.ME/NASTRAN)
OK
OK
Example Files
FEMAP examples
FEMAP examples that came with the software are located in the FEMAP71\examples directory. In addition, a few examples are provided in this collection of notes.
NASTRAN examples
To verify that the software is running correctly, several examples included in the downloaded software should be run. Using the MITools application, open the following folder MITools\demos\models that contains sample NASTRAN Input Decks (*.nid) files. To run a NASTRAN job, perform the following:
Select a *.nid file in the MITools window
Select the MI/NASTRAN button
NASTRAN will tell you when the job has been completed
NASTRAN stores the results in a folder given the same name as the .nid file, and this folder will include several forms of output. To see if the file actually ran:
Highlight the .F06 file
Select the File Editor button
See if any error messages occurred and if displacements were produced
The .PL2 files give a simple visual version of the model, and can be viewed using the MI/VIEW button. To do this:
Highlight the .PL2 file
Select the MI/VIEW button
The analysis model will be shown
Getting NASTRAN and FEMAP to Work Together
Exporting Models from FEMAP to NASTRAN
Once you have created a valid model in FEMAP, in order to perform the analysis you must export that model so it can be used in the MI/Tools application. To do this perform the following commands:
File.Export
Analysis Model…
Type(1..Static)
NASTRAN(check)
Select ME/NASTRAN off the pulldown menu
OK
The program will now create a NASTRAN Input Deck (or .NID file) and allow you to name the file and place it in an appropriate directory. If possible place the file in a new subdirectory of the MITOOLS folder. It will then begin to write the Input Deck.
NASTRAN Executive and Solution Control
OK
NASTRAN Case Control
Select ‘2..Print and PostProcess’ on the pulldown menu
Title (Describe the model)
OK
COSMIC NASTRAN Bulk Data
OK
The .NID file will now be ready to run in NASTRAN
MI/NASTRAN Analysis
Open the MI/Tools Application, and using the folder explorer open the folder the .NID file has been placed in. Highlight the .NID file and click the MI/NASTRAN button. This will run the job deck. A subdirectory to the current directory with the same name as the .NID file will be created containing the results of the analysis. To see if the analysis was completed successfully, open the results directory and open the .F06 file using the File Editor button of the MI/Tools Application. If the analysis was completed successfully, then there should be no major error messages and displacement vectors should be printed.
Importing Data to FEMAP for PostProcessing
The displacement and stress data may now be imported back into FEMAP for postprocessing. To do this perform the following from FEMAP:
File.Import
Analysis Results…
NASTRAN(check)
Select ME/NASTRAN off the pulldown menu
OK
You may now view the deformation and stress contour data as you normally would in FEMAP.