About the Connection Checker

The checks test for valid fastener definitions and meshes. For example, a fastener mesh might fail because some of the fastener points cannot project onto the connected parts properly.

The checker results are saved for the currently active finite element model—if you run the checks and then close the dialog box, you will see the same results if you later reopen the dialog box. The checks are only run on fastener directly included in the current finite element model.

The following checks are run:


Mesh projection maximum gap	Checks for failed point projections caused by a gap larger than the allowed maximum distance
Mesh projection maximum angle	Checks for failed point projections caused by an angle larger than the allowed maximum
Distance from free edge	Checks the minimum distance between point fastener locations and free edges of connected parts
Minimum distance between fastener points	Checks the minimum distance between fastener points
Missing material	Checks that a material is assigned to all fasteners

All of the checks are run on point fasteners. For line fasteners, only the Mesh projection maximum gap and Missing material checks are run.

FEM Updates with Connection Checks

The connection checks can be divided into two categories: those that require an update of the FEM representation and those that do not. The check for missing material assignments is an example of a test that does not require an update.

Most connection checks do require an update of the FEM representation, however—the most important being updates of the fastener mesh. When you run a connection check that requires an update, the update is performed automatically in the background. This might be time-consuming, particularly if the meshes on connected parts have not yet been updated. To allow you to postpone a potentially time-consuming check, the connection checker warns you if a particular check will need an update: any check showing a will need an update.