Missing Tows when exporting

[EugeneKheng]

When I try to export my texgen weave into STEP or IGES formats, Texgen does not export 1 of the tows (it's the same tow for both IGES and STEP). Does anyone have a way to resolve this issue?

[louisepb]

Hello,

Sometimes the step and iges exports are not terribly robust. They use an external library OpenCASCADE. The faceted export tends to be more reliable than the smooth so it may be worth trying that if you haven't already done so. If you just want to export the surface you could also try the surface export which will save in stl, vtu or Abaqus formats. These exports will only save geometry - you will lose any information about orientations etc.

Hope that helps,
Louise

[EugeneKheng]

Hi,

I'm trying the faceted export but the tow(s) are still missing. I've tried reflecting the missing tows in solidworks, but this brings up issues with the reflected tows running into the existing ones, so subtracting from the domain results in zero thickness elements.

All the tows seem to export fine as an abaqus surface mesh, how would I go about converting this back into a solid for FE purposes?

Thanks.

Eugene

[louisepb]

Hi,

If you want a solid mesh for FE then you should use one of the export methods which generates 3D elements. ( Voxel, volume, tetgen or dry fibre). There is a recording of a webinar about exporting which you may find useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVME9evj0kc

Best wishes,
Louise