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"Material is not defined for one or more components."

Question asked by Sean Leo on Aug 23, 2013
Latest reply on Sep 4, 2013 by Keith Vittitoe

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Hello All,

Everytime I tried to run a simulation, I keep getting this message "material is not defined for one or more components." I've created two new custom materials: normal weight concrete (150 pcf) and insulation I've created just regular blocks and did a thermal simulation using the new materials I've introduced. Everything ran smoothly; however, in my actual model I cannot run a thermal analysis. I've also tried to alter all the parts with solidworks material and I get the same problem.

I'm using SolidWorks 2011 so if you plan on editing my model, please save it in a 2011 compatible version.

Please help!! Thank you!

Keith Vittitoe Aug 29, 2013 6:10 PM

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Sean,

Hello. Thank you for the clarification. I'll go over where I am:

When I run the mesh (not the study) in SW2014b3, I get meshing errors on manhole 3-1, not material errors.

When you run simplified models with the new materials, the study completes.

When the study is run with the full assembly, you get an error regarding materials.

Since I get a meshing error in 2014b3 and there is a known issue in older SW versions regarding meshing even though the error mentions missing material, I'm leaning towards a meshing issue.

When I merge the "lid" so manhole 3 has one solid body and I run the mesh using Fine mesh density (slider all the way to the right) + Cuvature based + Remesh failed parts with incompatible mesh, the mesh completes without errors.

So, I don't think the model is too large, I think the model is difficult to mesh - large, flat manholes and relatively small, round pipes - lots of opportunites for the mesh to transition. As you already figured out, a simplified assembly should fix things. I attached a screenshot of the completed study.

Best Regards,

Keith

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Jared Conway Aug 25, 2013 11:50 PM
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What happens with a brand new study?

What happens If you reapply the materials in simulation? Or reapply the materials to all the parts and then create a new simulation study ?
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- Sean Leo @ Jared Conway on Aug 27, 2013 7:52 AM
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  I've tried using it in a brand new study by merging two rectangles together and applying the material property. It works.
  
  I've reapplied the materials to all part both during simulation and before simulation and I still receive the same error.
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Keith Vittitoe Aug 26, 2013 9:40 PM
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Sean,

Hello. As you may know, sometimes the SW error message doesn't explain itself very well or, as in this case, is misleading. This error pops up sometimes when there is a meshing issue and I think that is the case here - middle and right manhole 3-1 light up when I run the mesh. I get the meshing error using SW2014b3. I didn't dive into the details, but when I exclude SolidBody 3 from middle manhole 3-1 and SolidBody 1 from right manhole 3-1, the mesh completes (remesh with incompatible mesh for failed parts is set ON). Also, when I switch to Standard mesh from Curvature based, the entire model lights up with errors - even the regular, rectangular pieces. I think the slightly smaller "lids" on the manholes and the relatively thin-walled pipes inside are creating a challenge for meshing.

Best Regards,
Keith
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- Sean Leo @ Keith Vittitoe on Aug 27, 2013 2:30 PM
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  Hello Keith,
  
  It does seem like the right manhole 3-1 is causing a meshing problem. I had it set as between coarse and mesh and incompatible mesh for failed parts so I did not run into that problem. It works when I delete the right manhole 3-1. I do not know what's wrong with this manhole, is there any possible way you can tell me? I've checked interferences and it is 0.
  
  Thanks!
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  - Keith Vittitoe @ Sean Leo on Aug 28, 2013 1:05 PM
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    Sean,
    
    It looks like reapplying the material solved the issue with meshing (?). Let me know if you still need help.
    
    Best Regards,
    Keith
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    - Sean Leo @ Keith Vittitoe on Aug 29, 2013 1:38 PM
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      Hi Keith,
      
      Sorry I actually made a typo and meant to say reapplying the materials does not work. I've simplified my model and divided into two sections and re-applied the materials on the smaller model and it works. My overall large model still receives the error message and I do not know why. Maybe because the model is too large?
      
      Not sure.
      
      Thank you for your help!
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      - Keith Vittitoe @ Sean Leo on Aug 29, 2013 6:10 PM
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        Sean,
        
        Hello. Thank you for the clarification. I'll go over where I am:
        When I run the mesh (not the study) in SW2014b3, I get meshing errors on manhole 3-1, not material errors.
        When you run simplified models with the new materials, the study completes.
        When the study is run with the full assembly, you get an error regarding materials.
        
        Since I get a meshing error in 2014b3 and there is a known issue in older SW versions regarding meshing even though the error mentions missing material, I'm leaning towards a meshing issue.
        
        When I merge the "lid" so manhole 3 has one solid body and I run the mesh using Fine mesh density (slider all the way to the right) + Cuvature based + Remesh failed parts with incompatible mesh, the mesh completes without errors.
        
        So, I don't think the model is too large, I think the model is difficult to mesh - large, flat manholes and relatively small, round pipes - lots of opportunites for the mesh to transition. As you already figured out, a simplified assembly should fix things. I attached a screenshot of the completed study.
        
        Best Regards,
        Keith
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        studyrun.jpg187.2 KB
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        Sean Leo @ Keith Vittitoe on Sep 4, 2013 4:04 PM
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        Hello Keith,
        
        Thank you very much for your help! So I assume the error was due to right manhole 3 not being one solid body?
        
        Thanks!
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        Keith Vittitoe @ Sean Leo on Sep 4, 2013 4:32 PM
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        Sean,
        
        I'm not sure of the source of the problem. I made an educated guess and it worked.
        
        Based on the mesh error and the very simple shape of the manhole (it should easily mesh), it seemed to me that the most likely source was a small gap between the lid and the body or an issue between some edges. I made the most logical change to keep the study outcome correct and it happened to work. I'm glad it helped.
        
        Best Regards,
        Keith
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Jared Conway Aug 27, 2013 1:32 PM
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hi sean, unfortunately i don't have 2011 installed on my system anymore. in 2014 i can't even get the model to mesh. so i'm not able to check your model.

i'd suggest eliminating components from the simulation to narrow down which components are causing the problems. from there you can try determining why the error is happening. you might also want to try confirming it isn't your study or model by applying a library material to all of them. for example alloy steel.

a couple other comments:
1. you have no way for the heat to leave your model, this is goign to cause you more problems down the line.
2. looks like you could leverage some symmetry here. that would really help solve time and reduce the mesh size.
3. you might want to consider some additional defeaturing.
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- Sean Leo @ Jared Conway on Aug 27, 2013 2:30 PM
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  Hello Jared,
  
  Thanks for your help. It seems like right manhole 3-1 is the problem like Keith said. How do I levarage symmetry? When creating the parts I've tried to use mirror and it seems like you cannot mirror 3D objects and delete the object you tried to mirror.
  
  Thanks!
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  - Jared Conway @ Sean Leo on Aug 27, 2013 3:09 PM
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    with respect to manhole 3-1, if you setup and run an analysis on itself, does it work? (outside of the assembly) have you tried reapplying the material? or is the issue the meshing? you may want to post that model individually here.
    
    symmetry for analysis you leverage by cutting the model. at the boundary, since you're running a static analysis you'd just leave it.
    
    i'm not sure why you would mirror and then delete the original bodies.
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    - Sean Leo @ Jared Conway on Oct 27, 2013 2:29 PM
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      It works if you mesh and run the individual manhole 3-1. I've tried reapplying the material and it works.
      
      I was trying to mirror and delete the original body of a cut because I only needed it on the opposite side. It did not work so I had to redraw the cut on the left side.
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      - Jared Conway @ Sean Leo on Aug 27, 2013 3:29 PM
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        if reapplying the material works, great success. like i said in my original post, i have had it happen to me. but that is the usual fix. sometimes you have to create a new study or delete the component and readd. but at the same time, i haven't seen those problems in later versions when the assembly and study are built in those versions.
        
        i'm not totally following about the mirror comment. but if you build a full model and use an assembly level cut, you can use symmetry. or if you build a half model, just don't mirror anything and its good to go for symmetry.
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        Sean Leo @ Jared Conway on Aug 29, 2013 1:36 PM
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        Hey Jared,
        
        Sorry I meant to type it did not work even if I reapplied the material. However, I just separated the model into two sections and reapplied the material the smaller section and it works. I assume it is because my model is too large so it overcomplicates everything? I might be wrong about this. Someone please verify.
        
        Thank you!
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        Jared Conway @ Sean Leo on Aug 29, 2013 1:44 PM
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        i'll be honest, i'm kind of lost at where you're at. but overall, if your component works on its own and you put it in the assembly and it reports material not defined. i'd say you ahve a corrupt study or something is wrong with the assy or there is a bug because you have multiple copies it. creating a new study, a new assy and study, a new assy with duplicates and a new study should sniff out where the issue is. you shouldn't need to split or merge to fix a problem.
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        Sean Leo @ Jared Conway on Sep 4, 2013 4:03 PM
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        Hello Jared,
        
        I'm sorry to confuse you. This is a new program to me and I guess I'm not good in explaining what exactly is wrong with the model. However, my simplified model is working well (so far..hopefully no more problems). Thank you so much for your help!
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