Simcenter Femap APIs - Automation Programs

This API writes translation output data to a CSV file. It prompts the user for the output set they are interested in, and what file the data should be written. It then writes each nodes coordinates and the associated T1, T2 and T3 translations.

Beam and Bar Force Data API extracts shear force, axial force, moments, and the torque on a selected beam element. The program allows the user to select one output set and one element to collect data from. If the user selects an improper element type, a warning message will be presented below.

This was an interesting problem to solve. Essentially what was wanted was a way to apply around 500 different pressure values to a number of elements arranged in a grid pattern. It would be possible for the user to do this manually, but automating processes like this is what the API was made for. What the API requires is a three column CSV file with each row containing the centroid coordinates (x,y) and pressure value for each element. The API prompts the user to specify the file location and then asks the user to define a workplane whose orientation and origin are identical to that of the data found in the data file. The API then looks for elements whose centers correspond to what is found in the data file. The face of the element that is coplanar to the workplane is then found, and the corresponding pressure is applied to this face.

FEMAP does not currently provide a convenient way for creating circular areas. This API creates a circular area on any workplane currently in use. It requires a centerpoint and radius. If no workplane is currently specified, the API will create the disk on the default workplane, which is the x-y plane. This circular area creator is a subscript used in the gold bump analysis.

This is the grand-daddy of the ASME programs. It will prompt you for your output set and then calculate the ASME Stress Intensity, the ASME membrane stress (4-131) and ASME triaxial stress (4-137) for all plate elements in your model. A very powerful and useful utility for ASME pressure vessel analysis. If you are working with Appendix 4 Design Based on Stress Analysis, you will want to have this API in your tool chest.

The Clean View Toggle API allows the user to quickly toggle on/off the view axis, origin, post titles, labels, and contour/criteria legend with one click. This is especially useful for creating images to be used in presentations and reports.

If you have ever used the standard Spider API program provided with Femap install, then you might have a clue what this program can do. In this version, the API prompts you for the two regions that you want to connect and then allows you to automatically create a user-defined beam element having a user-specified material property between the two spiders. In one clean API operation, the spiders and beam element are created. This script then automates the creation of a bolted connection in one fell swoop. The program will even remember your prior settings for multiple operations. Very sweet...

Often when working with composites, it is desirable to make sure all laminate elements have a material direction specified before submitting the model to the solver. The API checks all laminate elements to see that they have a direction specified. The laminate elements that do not have a direction specified are put into a new group for easy manipulation.

This API will walk you through the creation of simple pressure vessel that can have three different head configurations: 2:1 S.E.; 100%-6% F&D and 80%-10% Head. The user inputs the relevant vessel diameter and height and the API creates the parasolid vessel skin.

This API program will contour the percent change in von Mises stress between two output sets.  One unique feature of the API is the ability to contour double sided planar.  This API has been set up to be a starting point that can be edited to contour the percent change of any output type.

Looking for a good tutorial on creating customized FEMAP APIs? You've come to the right place.