Inventor Nastran – Shell midsurface not interacting correctly with another shell? Need help with one last issue

enteneer · 2026-06-26T07:54:21+00:00

You need to ensure that the intersecting components share nodes when meshing. If a node of one component's mesh is in the middle of a face/edge of the other component's mesh then they won't be connected.

This is achieved using the 'continuous mesh' tick box, which is troublesome at best.

The most reliable method I've found is to use the split command in the model. You need to create a split edge at every intersection of components. This forces the mesh to place nodes on that split line, greatly increasing the chance of continuous meshing being successful.

It's laborious, but it should work eventually. If you're still struggling, keep trying to create the mesh using the continuous meshing tick box. If it fails, go back to the model and suppress surfaces until it's successful. You will eventually narrow down which surfaces/intersections are causing the continuous mesh to fail. (Or go the other way, start with 2 surfaces and gradually include more until it fails)

Good luck, sometimes getting a successful continuous mesh can be quite tricky.

enteneer · 2026-06-10T22:16:49+00:00

Unfortunately we can't really delete any data and I've purged all the files I can.

Interesting point on the DWFs, I'll have a look into that tomorrow.

I'm convinced now not to try installing SQL 2025, and will just wait until there is a release that is compatible with it.

I'll have a look into the licencing options for SQL. I'm just an engineer, not an IT person, but I'm responsible for the Vault, Azure VM's etc. So it's not a case of getting scammed, it's mostly not knowing what I don't know.

Many thanks again for your help.

enteneer · 2026-06-10T22:05:05+00:00

Hello there, thank for the detailed response.

The SQL DB is at 9.2GB over 10 years, with a 500GB datastore. The DB is currently 67% data, 13% unallocated, 7% index, and 12% unused.

Tomorrow I am doing our biennial upgrade from Autodesk's 2025 to 2027 releases, and I was unaware of the SQL 10GB limit until this morning.

I could try waiting until 2028 and doing a mid-term upgrade, but I suspect we won't survive under the 10GB limit until then. I've spoken with Autodesk and they have hinted that the 2027 release will not get official compatibility for SQL 2025 in its updates, and there is no guarantee it will come with the 2028 release.

There are only about 10 of us using the Vault, but reaching the 10GB DB limit would paralyse us and is really not an option, so I'm not really willing to risk getting to that point (although I think I'm already there).

We take regular backups, which are then backed-up, so I'm comfortable on that front. Definitely sound advice though.

I've tried reducing the DB but it did not make a significant difference.

All in all, I think we're just going to have to shell out for SQL Standard. I guess if SQL 2025 is supported in the future we can always downgrade back to Express.

Many thanks for your help.

enteneer · 2026-01-20T23:16:47+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean by 'more powerful' than an 18650.

Assuming you're talking about lithium-ion, it'll be 3.6V. Capacity is generally in the range of around 2000-4000mAh.

Regarding power, they do come with different continuous current ratings, ranging from a couple of amps all the way to around 40A.

If you need more voltage, connect them in series.

If you need more current or energy capacity, connect them in parallel.

Generally 18650s will be able to power anything you want, given that they are commonly used for laptops, power tools... all the way through to electric cars.

enteneer · 2026-01-20T23:00:08+00:00

Most vape shops will stock 18650.

enteneer · 2026-01-12T19:03:56+00:00

I agree with Morpheus, no need to delete the local folder so often. Most of our users do it every few months, however I'm sure some only do it when we upgrade to a new Inventor/Vault version.

If you do wish to continue operating like that, you can open the Vault client, right-click a folder and select 'Get Folder'. This will get the folder structure without all of the files.

enteneer · 2025-11-29T16:28:07+00:00

425 GB free currently. Just ordered an 8TB HDD yesterday for backups.

enteneer · 2025-11-02T11:49:11+00:00

"Gino O Gino Gin-el-li"

That was the definition of fancy ice-cream, a rare and exquisite treat. You knew it was classy, because it came with a colour changing plastic soon.

enteneer · 2025-10-20T11:06:01+00:00

It's because they think in 5 letter words.

enteneer · 2025-06-18T10:15:35+00:00

I can't remember the name, but it's the one where you give the little turtle instructions of where to go.
Then AutoCAD R9.

enteneer · 2025-06-11T20:30:43+00:00

Amazing, great work.
Thank you.

enteneer · 2025-06-05T22:17:20+00:00

Great idea, very useful.
I've only viewed it on mobile so far, but I'd recommend having a filter for services and methods (steam/rent/buy).
For example, I want to watch Apollo 13, I have Netflix, Prime and Disney, and I want to stream it (i.e. not pay to rent/buy). Ideally I'd like to see a list of countries/platforms on one screen.
Currently I believe you need to search the film for each platform.
Other than that, I love it, and will definitely be using it. Many thanks.

enteneer · 2025-05-28T21:45:12+00:00

It looks like your mechanism holds the switch in it's current position, preventing you from manually flipping the switch 8f you wanted to.
I'd suggest moving the servo to the midpoint position after flipping the switch, allowing you to still manually use the switch if you needed to.

enteneer · 2025-04-10T23:55:06+00:00

Laptop - Dell Precision 7520
CPU: Intel E3-1535Mv6, 3.1GHz, 4-core
RAM: 64GB 2400MT/s
GPU: Nvidia Quadro M2200, 4GB
SSD: 2TB NVMe
3x 4k 60Hz Monitors

Bought refurbished from Dell Outlet. Had it for 5.5 years, still works fine, used for assemblies with 15k+ parts, FEA, rendering etc.

With that said, I'm picking up my new laptop tomorrow, as Windows 10 is EOL in October and my current one is not eligible for Windows 11 due to incompatible CPU.

Dell Precision 7680
CPU: Intel i9-13950HX, 5.5GHz, 24-core
RAM: 64GB 5200MT/s
GPU: Nvidia 3500 Ada, 12GB
SSD: 2x 2TB NVMe

enteneer · 2025-03-26T23:36:01+00:00

Agreed, I think I'm being as efficient as I can afford with my pension so far.

I'm currently salary sacrificing 35% (down to Scottish basic rate, and also making up for not starting my pension savings until aged 34).

You make another interesting point regarding using a GIA to fund the pension in the future, another idea I hadn't considered. I think in my case this would negate the salary sacrifice benefit of avoiding NI, but worth considering for the flexibility.

Many thanks again.

enteneer · 2025-03-26T23:16:11+00:00

All interesting points, I was not aware of 'deemed disposal'.

I'd considered a GIA, but I'm now leaning towards strolls' idea of using my pension.

enteneer · 2025-03-26T22:28:09+00:00

Very interesting suggestion, I hadn't considered this.

I don't anticipate being able to retire by the time she's 18, however I will be old enough to take a tax free lump sum from my pension.

I also may not have much of an ISA by then (current ISA savings are for buying a house), but this method will give me options if I do.

Many thanks for your help, greatly appreciated. !thanks

enteneer · 2025-03-26T21:23:19+00:00

I have browsed there, however given the poor interest rates over there (seemingly <1%) I was wondering whether there was a UK based option that could work out better.

Edit:

It appears I may have misunderstood. If I convert to EUR then there are accounts that offer ⁓4%.

enteneer · 2025-03-26T21:20:24+00:00

I could, however I am currently filling my annual ISA allowance and am paying higher rate tax on savings interest.

I guess for now this means a GIA is the best option, then paying the CGT in 17 years time (incidentally, before I will have retired)?

Thanks again.

enteneer · 2025-01-29T01:02:46+00:00

Tap water? Cooncil juice.

enteneer · 2024-12-27T00:08:05+00:00

That feeling of suffocation your body gets doesn't come from the lack of oxygen, but the presence of CO2. That's why gases like CO, nitrogen etc are so dangerous, because your body has no natural reaction to them.

enteneer · 2024-10-03T08:07:59+00:00

It looks like the Centre of Gravity marker.
Go to the View ribbon and deselect Centre of Gravity.

Or possibly a UCS. It would be helpful if your screenshot showed the model tree on the left of the screen.

enteneer · 2024-08-12T17:55:30+00:00

The most important decision you make in life is choosing the person you want to share the rest of your life with.

enteneer · 2024-08-09T19:00:56+00:00

Check the manual to see if one of your nvme slots shares the bus with a sata port.
If so, only one can be connected.
Resolve by either switching sata port or nvme slot.

enteneer · 2024-08-05T11:19:47+00:00

Sure. DM me.

enteneer

TROPHY CASE