Mechanica crashes during when plotting results

[nlinesk8s]

I've an assembly model with four parts. I can plot a quantity, for example max prin stress. But when I try to adjust the legend, the program crashes. I can get results by plotting the components separately, but I'd like to be able to show all.

I found one similar post on another forum, but no answers. I can reproduce this failure on other computers where I work, and adding memory did not correct the problem. Computer and graphics cars are compatible with WF4.

Any ideas?

 

[seymours2571]

Adding physical memory will not help if you are on Windows XP 32bit. More than likely the processes memory (xtop.exe) is going over 1.5~1.7 GB. You can see this via task manager.

Your options are:

1) Enable the windows XP 3GB switch (google around for this).

2) View the results on a 64 bit workstation.

3) View component the results seperately.

4) Disable continuous tone if enabled (produces nice plots, but is a memory hog).

5) Lower the plotting grid value in the analysis definition box, however this should be a means of last resort.

Hope this helps.

Good luck,

Steve


Stephen Seymour, PE
Seymour Engineering & Consulting Group

http://www.seymourecg.com

 

[nlinesk8s]

Okay, I did the 3gb switch change to the .ini file, and I'm not using continuous tone. I'm ok with both display and changing the legend, so that's a step in the right direction.

I'm using a cutting surface to see "inside" the model, and if I ask for a view max, model max, or dynamic query, the program crashes. Anything else I can try? I haven't reduced the plotting grid yet; I'll rerun the analysis and try that.

thanks!

 

[seymours2571]

Try simplifying the analysis anywhere you can. For example, if you have a casting or some other type of part that has a lot of external rounds that are in non critical areas remove them and re-run the anlaysis.



Stephen Seymour, PE
Seymour Engineering & Consulting Group

http://www.seymourecg.com

 

[osty]

I agree that this is a memory issue.

Options:
Brute force with 64bit operating system and more memory. Cheap compared the the cost to your company of banging head with little results.

Take another look at reducing the complexity of your model. This is safer to do after you have a preliminary answer since you can see if the simplification moves your results significantly.

Simplify your plots as seymours2571 suggests