nTop 4.10 is here! This release features our new Rigid Connector block for use in simulations where only the mass of the auxiliary components affects the analysis, while the geometry of these components can be neglected. We also have usage improvements to the gimbal and our user dashboard (app.ntop.com). Please scroll down to read more about these and our bug fixes below. As with every release, nTop’s dedicated support team is ready to answer your questions. Please visit support.ntop.com to gain access to helpful tutorials and support articles.

• Rigid Connector [Beta]

• FE Point Attribute

• Gimbal Improvements

• User Dashboard Updates

• Block Updates

• Bug Fixes

Rigid Connector [Beta]

• In a simulation or optimization study, the Rigid Connector block can define connections (B) between a point (A) and a component's surface. This is typically used in multi-component simulations where only the mass of the auxiliary components affects the analysis, while the geometry of these components can be neglected.
• This Rigid Connector block, in combination with point masses, can be used in studies where the mass participation of the components is essential, like a Modal Analysis, a Buckling Analysis, or an Optimization study (Topology or Field Optimization) with a Frequency Response as a constraint or an objective.
• Block Name: Rigid Connector
• Location: Beta>Simulation
• Description: Defines a rigid element connector between a Point and FE Boundary. The connector may be Flexible (RBE3) or Rigid (RBE2).
  • Point: Point to create the connector from.
  • FE Boundary: FE Boundary to be connected to Point.
  • Connector: Option to create a Flexible (RBE3) or Rigid (RBE2) connector.
  • Output: FE Connector

FE Point Attribute

• The FE Point Attribute block can assign the mass properties to the remote point in the Rigid Connector block. It defines the component's mass and moment of inertia represented in a structural analysis or optimization study. Combining the FE Point Attribute, FE Component, and the Rigid Connector blocks enables users to define a remote point mass connected to the finite element model through a rigid or flexible connector.
• Block Name: FE Point Attribute
• Location: Simulation>Material Attributes
• Description: Define material properties as attributes of a Point.
  • Mass: Mass of the point.
  • Offset: Offsets the center of mass from the attachment point.
  • Inertia XX: Component of mass moment of inertia in XX
  • Inertia YY: Component of mass moment of inertia in YY
  • Inertia ZZ: Component of mass moment of inertia in ZZ
  • Inertia XY: Component of mass moment of inertia in XY
  • Inertia YZ: Component of mass moment of inertia in YZ
  • Inertia XZ: Component of mass moment of inertia in XZ
  • Output: FE Attribute

Gimbal Improvements

• We’ve updated our interactive gimbal for improved usability
  • We have added a hover state to the control handles so users are confident they are selecting the desired handle
  • We have increased the scale of the gimbal.
  • We have updated the colors of the control handles.
  • We have implemented all these improvements in all instances of the gimbal in nTop.

Before	After

User Dashboard Updates

• The Account Settings page has been updated to support multiple licenses. You can now see if you have licenses for individual nTop Applications.

• The License Management page has been updated to support multiple license chips per user in the User tab, and we have added an Application column in the Licenses and Floating tabs to indicate what the license is for.

Block Updates

• The FE Component block is updated with an overload that defines a point as an FE Component and assigns FE attributes. This block is meant to be used with the new Rigid Connector block to connect remote point masses to other FE components in the FE Model. This new overload takes the following inputs:
  • Point: Point to create a component.
  • Attribute: Point attribute.

• We updated the Export Material block to follow the Unit system input when exporting anisotropic materials.
• We updated the Import Topology Optimization Result block to convert non-tetrahedral solid elements in a *.op2 file, such as pyramids, wedges, and hex elements, into tetrahedral elements

Bug Fixes

• We fixed an issue where making a Topology Optimization block a variable would cause the Live results to disappear until the block finished running.
• We fixed an issue where the color picker wouldn’t close after selecting a color in the Right Side Panel.
• We fixed an issue where the transition information in the original Block Details flyout for Information and Display would not display correctly for different monitor resolutions.
• We fixed an issue where opening a new file and recomputing properties of Random Points in Body would cause nTop to exit unexpectedly.
• We fixed an issue where the overload of the Add block would default to the Scalar List overload instead of the Scalar, Scalar overload when using context search on a Scalar block.