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Your Partner in FE Analysis Training and Consulting
TRAINING
Training Class Description
FEMAP API (3 Days)
Background
Who Should Attend?
Class Program
FEMAP is a very powerful and versatile Pre and Post processing tool. It allows for fast
efficient creation of structural analysis meshes and provides significant productivity.
Many clients have taken this further by using the FEMAP API ( Application Programming
Interface) which is available in FEMAP. This allows users to identify processes which
are specific to their process and to automate these even further. The result is a
tailored approach to Pre and Processing, unique to their applications and bringing even
more productivity bonuses. The API touches every aspect of FEMAP, so there is
virtually no limit to the degree of automation or customization that can take place. The
scope is wide open and allows great creativity.
Examples include the parametric design of simple subassemblies. A company designs
many variations of a support fitting. A simple user dialog box is created which has specific
dimensions, loading information and roller bearing count across a bearing face. Behind
the scenes a set of contacts are set up and line element representation of the roller
bearings are automatically modeled. A dedicated xy and contour plot routine provides
immediate feedback to the user to check the viability of the design.
A client has initial plate surface geometry defined in CAD. However the plates are
fabricated using bolts. The bolt pattern is designed and specified using tables of
positional dimensions. An API routine reads an external file with the bolting dimensions,
maps these onto the geometric surfaces and creates shell meshes which run through the
bolts points and connect each bolt into the corresponding plate pair.
A client defines composite layup designs via a percentage mixture of angle plies, rather
than a specific ply count. A user dialog box allows set up of FEMAP plies and layups
automatically from a simple and convenient percentage input.
The API language is Visual Basic based. This is a simple and user friendly language with
a much easier learning curve than dedicated macro languages or advanced languages
such as C++. No Visual basic knowledge is assumed for this class, but any experience
will be useful.
efficient creation of structural analysis meshes and provides significant productivity.
Many clients have taken this further by using the FEMAP API ( Application Programming
Interface) which is available in FEMAP. This allows users to identify processes which
are specific to their process and to automate these even further. The result is a
tailored approach to Pre and Processing, unique to their applications and bringing even
more productivity bonuses. The API touches every aspect of FEMAP, so there is
virtually no limit to the degree of automation or customization that can take place. The
scope is wide open and allows great creativity.
Examples include the parametric design of simple subassemblies. A company designs
many variations of a support fitting. A simple user dialog box is created which has specific
dimensions, loading information and roller bearing count across a bearing face. Behind
the scenes a set of contacts are set up and line element representation of the roller
bearings are automatically modeled. A dedicated xy and contour plot routine provides
immediate feedback to the user to check the viability of the design.
A client has initial plate surface geometry defined in CAD. However the plates are
fabricated using bolts. The bolt pattern is designed and specified using tables of
positional dimensions. An API routine reads an external file with the bolting dimensions,
maps these onto the geometric surfaces and creates shell meshes which run through the
bolts points and connect each bolt into the corresponding plate pair.
A client defines composite layup designs via a percentage mixture of angle plies, rather
than a specific ply count. A user dialog box allows set up of FEMAP plies and layups
automatically from a simple and convenient percentage input.
The API language is Visual Basic based. This is a simple and user friendly language with
a much easier learning curve than dedicated macro languages or advanced languages
such as C++. No Visual basic knowledge is assumed for this class, but any experience
will be useful.
Day 1
Brief review of FEMAP
Overview of tools available to automate FEMAP
Customization
Macro Language
API
Setting objectives for a User programmed feature
Does the functionality exist already?
How will it be used?
What scope is required?
Review of customization
User Menus
User Toolbars
Examples
Introduction to Macro Language
Examples
Syntax
Programmability
Limitations
Review of Visual Basic
Introduction to FEMAP API
Documentation and Help
The FEMAP application Object
Main FEMAP Objects, Properties and Methods
Simple examples with Node and Element Objects
Important Tools
Basic input and output
Set Objects
Sort Objects
Selector Objects
Entity Objects
Global constants
Putting this together with examples
Day 2
Building examples using:
FE Properties and Materials
Loads and Boundary Conditions
Views
Groups
Interfacing to Excel
Review of Excel
Tricks in Excel
Reading data in
Writing data out
Launching from Excel
User defined dialog boxes
Setting up forms
Linking actions
Typical examples
Creating useful utility examples
Nodal manipulation in meshing
Automatic bolts
Aiding Hex meshing
Examples using results data
Internal Load balances
Automating xy plotting
Examples using Geometry
Vector geometry tools
Simple ply draping
Parametric construction
Day 3
Writing reports
Simple reports
Formatted reports
Using New features in 9.3
Review of Data Surface usage
API Examples
Review of Data Table usage
API Examples
User Graphics
Interacting with the FEMAP User Interface
Running FEMAP from your application
Embedding your application in FEMAP as an “add-in”
Embedding FEMAP in your application
User Projects
Sample projects for Students
Student Requested projects
Brief review of FEMAP
Overview of tools available to automate FEMAP
Customization
Macro Language
API
Setting objectives for a User programmed feature
Does the functionality exist already?
How will it be used?
What scope is required?
Review of customization
User Menus
User Toolbars
Examples
Introduction to Macro Language
Examples
Syntax
Programmability
Limitations
Review of Visual Basic
Introduction to FEMAP API
Documentation and Help
The FEMAP application Object
Main FEMAP Objects, Properties and Methods
Simple examples with Node and Element Objects
Important Tools
Basic input and output
Set Objects
Sort Objects
Selector Objects
Entity Objects
Global constants
Putting this together with examples
Day 2
Building examples using:
FE Properties and Materials
Loads and Boundary Conditions
Views
Groups
Interfacing to Excel
Review of Excel
Tricks in Excel
Reading data in
Writing data out
Launching from Excel
User defined dialog boxes
Setting up forms
Linking actions
Typical examples
Creating useful utility examples
Nodal manipulation in meshing
Automatic bolts
Aiding Hex meshing
Examples using results data
Internal Load balances
Automating xy plotting
Examples using Geometry
Vector geometry tools
Simple ply draping
Parametric construction
Day 3
Writing reports
Simple reports
Formatted reports
Using New features in 9.3
Review of Data Surface usage
API Examples
Review of Data Table usage
API Examples
User Graphics
Interacting with the FEMAP User Interface
Running FEMAP from your application
Embedding your application in FEMAP as an “add-in”
Embedding FEMAP in your application
User Projects
Sample projects for Students
Student Requested projects
The class is perfect for FEMAP users who want to explore the additional functionality and
Ideally attendees should be familiar with FEMAP and the range of commands available. No
Visual basic knowledge is assumed for this class, but any experience will be useful.
Ideally attendees should be familiar with FEMAP and the range of commands available. No
Visual basic knowledge is assumed for this class, but any experience will be useful.