Importing from NX using a JT file

When you import an NX part geometry to an Ansys Workbench simulation project using a JT file, the Granta MI assignments on the part model can be transferred as ‘CAD Connected’ materials. This preserves the associations with the part geometry.

Prerequisites: To import Granta MI assignments from NX to Ansys Workbench using a JT file, you must have:
  • Ansys Workbench 2023 R1 or later
  • Ansys Mechanical 2023 R1 or later
  • The Ansys Geometry Interface component of Ansys Workbench must be installed, with the JTOpenInterface enabled.

To ensure that the Granta MI materials on the part geometry can be accessed and updated in Ansys Workbench, you must carry out some steps in Ansys Workbench and Ansys Mechanical after importing the part geometry.
Note: If the CAD part model has alternate material assignments, only the primary assignments will be transferred to Ansys Workbench.
  1. In NX, select the part model and export it as a JT file.
    1. In the Files tab, view the File Contents section, and for the Organize JT Files option, ensure that you select As Assembly and Folder of Parts.
    Important: If the JT file does not have this option selected on export, then the material assignments won’t be imported to Ansys Workbench correctly.
  2. In Ansys Workbench, add an analysis system that includes a Geometry component (for example, a Mechanical Model).
  3. Right-click the Geometry component, and import the JT file.
  4. View the properties of the Geometry component, and in Basic Geometry Options, ensure that Material Properties is enabled.
    Tip: To set this property globally in Ansys Workbench, go to Tools > Options > Geometry Import, and in the Basic options section, select Material Properties.
  5. Add a Granta MI system to the workbench, and then share its Engineering Data component with the analysis system.
  6. In the analysis system, double-click the Model component to open it in Ansys Mechanical.
    Opening the model in Ansys Mechanical identifies the materials assigned to the part geometry and makes them available in the shared Engineering Data component, preserving the associations with the part geometry. You do not need to do anything in Ansys Mechanical, and you can close it again at any time.
  7. In Ansys Workbench, launch the MI Materials Gateway window by double-clicking MI Materials Gateway in the Granta MI component system.
    This automatically creates the Granta MI material cards in the Engineering Data component.
The CAD assignments are visible in the Imported material cards list in MI Materials Gateway.
Note: The icon 'CAD data only' indicates that this is a 'CAD Connected' material card that must be updated with data for simulation.

You can now import the additional data required for your simulation project. See Updating the material cards with data for simulation.