FEM Tutorial Python

Introduction
This example is meant to show how a simple Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in FreeCADs FEM Module is done by python. The model from FEM_CalculiX_Cantilever_3D will be taken for this example.



Requirements

 * FreeCAD version --> according tutorial overview
 * This could be checked at the menu Help --> about FreeCAD.
 * Al thought due to the continuing changes in FEM module it is recommended to use the latest development snapshot of FreeCAD for python scripted FEM analysis's.
 * A set up FEM module. Check FEM_CalculiX_Cantilever_3D

FEM mesh
see Additional informations for how to script mesh generation with GMSH or Netgen mesh object.

Scripting FEM mesh objects
Scripting the Netgen mesh object was tried here: http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16944#p134519, but has some limitations. On the contrary the GMSH mesh object fully supports python scripting. See forum topic http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=20087

Scripting multiple analysis
See forum post: http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19549#p151385

Scripting results
See forum posts:
 * https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34048&p=289519#p289519 --> scale factor in standard result object
 * http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4677&start=20#p148982
 * http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4677&start=30#p149043
 * http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?t=18415#p144028
 * https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=31123&p=258761#p258761 --> coloring just one element:

Console mode
Writing the input file in FreeCAD console mode (no Gui) could be done in test mode. See forum post in this regard: https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=25852&p=208897#p208897

Appendix
Have Fun!