Defining Cyclic Symmetry

You can define the base feature of a model that is symmetric about an axis by fully defining one representative segment.

Before you begin: A simulation model can contain no more than one cyclic symmetry feature, and the restraints and loads applied in the scenario must be symmetric.
See Also
About Cyclic Symmetry
Properties Section
In Other Guides
Support Selection
  1. From the Abstractions section of the action bar, click Cyclic Symmetry .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. Select the Main surface and Secondary surface.

    The selected surfaces must be external surfaces of a solid.

    The defined surfaces are used to create tie constraints between adjacent copies of the segment. The constraints ensure the continuity of forces through the complete model.

    You can select geometry, orphan mesh face groups, orphan mesh node groups, or publications to define the surfaces.

    Note: The meshes for the main and secondary surfaces do not need to match.

  4. Optional: Enter a Position tolerance.

    The position tolerance is used to determine which nodes are tied between the surfaces that you defined. For more information, see Defining Ties.

  5. Toggle on Adjust secondary surface initial position to move all tied nodes on the secondary surface onto the main surface in the initial configuration, without any strain.
  6. Enter the Number of sectors.
    The number of sectors is the number of copies, including the original, required to define the complete model. For example, if you have a 1/4 symmetry feature, the defined segment represents 90ยบ and the feature should have 4 sectors.
  7. Select the Axis of symmetry.

    You can select an edge from the geometry or a publication as the axis.

The cyclic symmetry feature definition is stored in the Abstractions container in the tree.