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Importing CAD Geometry into ANSYS

You can import geometry from a CAD package such as Pro/Engineer or SolidWorks into ANSYS by following the instructions below:

In CAD package, save as parasolid.

2. In ANSYS:
File > Import > Para
Select your parasolid file and click OK

3. Change display mode from wireframe to solid facets:
Utility Menu > Plotctrls > Style > Solid Model Facets
Make sure Normal Faceting is selected and click OK.
Utility Menu > Plot > Volumes

4. When importing, ANSYS always scales the geometry to meters. To scale
back to, say, mm from meters, use:
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Operate> Scale> Volumes
Pick All
RX, RY, RZ scale factors: enter 1000 for each
For IMOVE Existing volumes will be: select Moved and click OK

5. Check your geometry: Turn on keypoint numbers
Utility Menu > List > Keypoint > coordinates only
Spot-check keypoint locations against solidworks drawing.

6. You need to glue volumes so that common surfaces (i.e. areas) are
shared between the crank and the pedal shaft.
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Booleans > Glue > Volumes
Click Pick All to glue our two volumes together. Note that there are
no visual indicators of whether or not the volumes have been
glued. You should check the Command Window and look for the "GLUE
VOLUMES" command.
 

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Since the geometry excluding the cutout region is symmetric with respect to the vertical centerline, we will model half of the crank and then mirror the other half to complete the crank body. Then we will create the cutout from a set of keypoints.

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