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abaqus-geometry

Create and manipulate Abaqus geometry - parts, sketches, extrusions, CAD import. Use for any geometry creation task including box, cylinder, or STEP/IGES import.

personAuthor: jakexiaohubgithub
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Abaqus Geometry Skill

Create parts, assemblies, and import CAD files for finite element analysis.

When to Use This Skill

Route here when user mentions:

  • "create a box/beam/plate/bracket"
  • "draw geometry", "make a cylinder/tube"
  • "import STEP/IGES file"
  • "extrude", "revolve", "create assembly"
  • "position the parts", "build a component"

Route elsewhere:

  • Meshing the geometry -> /abaqus-mesh
  • Defining materials/sections -> /abaqus-material
  • Applying loads or BCs -> /abaqus-load, /abaqus-bc
  • Full analysis workflow -> /abaqus-static-analysis

Key Decisions

1. How to Create Geometry?

| Shape | Approach | |-------|----------| | Box, plate, beam | Sketch rectangle + extrude | | Cylinder, tube | Sketch circle + extrude | | Pipe, disc, shaft | Sketch profile + revolve | | Complex/existing | Import STEP/IGES | | Quick prototype | Primitives |

Decision guidance:

  • Simple prismatic shape? -> Sketch + extrude
  • Axisymmetric part? -> Sketch + revolve
  • Existing CAD model? -> Import STEP file

2. Where to Place Origin?

| Origin Location | When to Use | |-----------------|-------------| | Corner (0,0,0) | Asymmetric parts, easier coordinate math | | Center (0,0,0) | Symmetric parts, rotation about center |

3. Part vs Instance Coordinates

| Context | Use | |---------|-----| | Geometry creation, section assignment | Part coordinates | | BCs, loads, sets, finding faces | Instance/assembly coordinates |

Important: After creating an instance, use instance.faces.findAt() not part.faces.findAt().

What to Ask User

If unclear, ask:

  • Shape type? Box, cylinder, imported CAD?
  • Dimensions? Length, width, height in mm
  • Origin location? Corner or center?
  • Import file available? Path to STEP/IGES?
  • Features needed? Holes, fillets, chamfers?

Workflow

Step 1: Create Model and Part

Create the model container, then a 3D deformable part.

Step 2: Define Geometry

Choose approach based on shape:

  • Sketch + Extrude: Draw 2D profile, extrude to 3D
  • Sketch + Revolve: Draw profile, revolve around axis (360 degrees for full solid)
  • CAD Import: Open STEP/IGES, create part from geometry file

Step 3: Add Features (Optional)

Add secondary features if needed:

  • Cut holes using cut extrude
  • Round edges with fillet
  • Partition cells for BC/load regions

Step 4: Create Assembly Instance

Create root assembly with Cartesian datum, then create instance from part.

Step 5: Create Sets and Surfaces

Create named sets/surfaces on instance (not part) for:

  • BC regions
  • Load application surfaces
  • Design regions (for optimization)

Finding Entities

Two methods to locate faces/edges:

  1. findAt() - Exact coordinates (point must be ON the entity)
  2. getByBoundingBox() - Tolerant box search (better for automation)

Combine multiple entities with + operator.

Common Pitfalls

| Problem | Cause | Solution | |---------|-------|----------| | "Sketch is not closed" | Gap in sketch entities | Ensure lines connect to form closed loop | | "Cannot find face at coordinates" | Point not exactly on face | Use bounding box or verify coordinates | | "Part has no cells" | Sketch not extruded | Call BaseSolidExtrude or similar | | "Instance already exists" | Duplicate name | Use unique name or delete existing |

Validation Checklist

Before proceeding to mesh/analysis:

  • [ ] Part created with correct dimensions
  • [ ] Geometry is watertight (no gaps)
  • [ ] Instance created in assembly
  • [ ] Sets created on instance for BC/load regions
  • [ ] Partitions added if needed for region selection

Units

All dimensions use consistent units (mm-tonne-s-N-MPa):

  • Length: mm
  • Coordinates: mm

Code Patterns

For API syntax and code examples, see: