Suggested Workflow

1. Import entire FINCH assembly CAD model into NX as a .stp file (with certain components we don't want to mesh removed). This will create .prt files for all the parts and assemblies in the model.
2. Create a top-level assembly FEM (.afm file) for the entire spacecraft.
3. Have members create FEMs of the parts and subassemblies (.afm and .fem files).
4. Map lower-level .fem and .afm files to top-level .afm file. Helpful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10ZX0M4fTt
5. Have members help out with adding connections between parts in .afm file.
6. Create .sim file for entire spacecraft and add simulation objects (loads and constraints) and contacts. Have members help out with adding contacts.
7. Run quasi-static and modal analyses. Note: modal analysis is a pre-requisite to shock and random vibration simulations since the outputs of a modal analysis are inputs to those simulations.
8. Run shock and random vibration simulations. If we don't have an update on our launch vehicle by this point, use the NASA GEVS shock response spectrum plot for shock simulations and acceleration spectral density plot for random vibration simulations.

Design Iteration

To swap in components that have been modified into the existing assembly, without having to rebuild your entire finite element model from scratch, perform the following steps:

1. Delete the previous component in the NX assembly .prt file.
2. Export the new SolidWorks part file as a .stp file.
3. Insert the .stp file into the NX assembly .prt file.
4. Constrain the part in the assembly so it's located where you want it.
5. Create a .fem file for the new part.
6. Add this new .fem file to your existing .afm file following the steps under "Suggested Workflow".
7. Add any constraints, loads, or simulation objects that may have been broken when you removed the previous model from the assembly.