Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide

Figure 9.2: Layered Shell (SHELL281) with Nodes Located at Midplane

Nodesloc atedatthemidplanewithKEYOPT(11)= 0

Figure 9.3: Layered Shell (SHELL281) with Nodes Located at Bottom Surface

9.3. Grouping Geometry Items into Components and Assemblies

Sometimes it is convenient to group portions of the model and give them recognizable names, such
as WHEEL2, FIN7, IRONCORE, STATOR, ROTOR, etc. You can then conveniently select all items belonging
to, for example, WHEEL2, and work with them: apply boundary conditions, mesh them with nodes and
elements, produce graphics displays, and so forth.

The groupings may be components or assemblies. A component consists of one type of entity: nodes,
elements, keypoints, lines, areas, or volumes.

The Component Manager (Utility Menu> Select> Component Manager) provides convenient access
to your component operations. The Component Manager provides a coordinated and integrated interface
to the capabilities of the following commands:

CMED-

IT

CM-

DELE

CM

CM-

MOD

CML-

IST

CM-

GRP

CM-

SEL

CM-

PLOT

You can access each command's capability either through the Component Manager, or through indi-
vidual GUI paths, as noted. The following sections describe the individual component commands and

Release 15.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information

Selecting and Components