Symmetry Constraints
Use
Home >
Constraints >
Symmetry in the Structure or Thermal module of native mode to create a cyclic or mirror symmetry constraint. This command is not available in FEM mode. When you select this command, the
Symmetry Constraint dialog box opens with the below items:
• Name—The name of the constraint. The color swatch adjacent to
Name allows you to
change the color of the icon, the distribution, and the text displayed for the constraint.
• Member of Set—The name of the
constraint set (in Structure) or
boundary condition set (in Thermal). You can select an existing set from the drop-down list, or create a new set by clicking
New to display the
Constraint Sets dialog box.
• Type—Select one of the following constraint types. The dialog box changes depending upon your selection:
• References—For mirror constraints, you can select points, vertices, curves, edges, or surfaces to define the plane of symmetry.
For cyclic constraints, you must make the following selections:
◦ First Side—Define the first side of the cut section.
◦ Second Side—Define the second side of the cut section.
◦ Axis—Select the
axis of symmetry.
Axis is inactive if the software automatically determines the axis of symmetry.
A constraint set can include cyclic and mirror symmetry constraints, with these limitations:
• The constraint set can include only one cyclic symmetry constraint.
• The plane defining a mirror symmetry constraint must be orthogonal to the symmetry axis for a cyclic symmetry constraint.
• You cannot use the same geometrical entity as a reference for a cyclic symmetry constraint and any other constraint.