Additional Information

The following illustrates an overview of the FEM process.
 

Workflow

 
 

From Design Model to FEM

  The example below demonstrates a one-to-one relationship between the design model, the Proxy CATPart, and the Finite Element Model. The data used to generate the mesh model (support geometry and constraints) comes from the Proxy CATPart.

For instance, at this stage, the Proxy CATPart along with the FEM is self-sufficient for assembly analysis purposes without relying on the original Design Model.

 
 

Formulas and Equivalent Dimensions

 

The three parameters below are provided in order to facilitate the multi-edition for all the mesh parts.

2D_Surface_MeshSize controls the size for all the Surface mesh parts.

Opening_Min_HoleSize controls the minimum hole size for all the Surface mesh parts.

1D_Beam_MeshSize controls the size for all the Beam mesh parts.

  In the relation set, five Equivalent Dimensions are created. They control:
2D_Surface_MeshSize
Opening_Min_HoleSize
Mesh_Capture_Tolerance
Constraint_Tolerance_Value
1D_Beam_MeshSize

 

Mesh Quality Improvement

  While Creating FEM on a very challenging model, the result of the Create Mesh command may some times require some manual adjustments.

For instance, for a complex shell, adjusting the constraint sag manually could reduce the number of internal edges to be considered as the mesh constraint. By default, the constraint sag is set to 0.0. This implies that the surface will be constrained with all of its internal edges, if any.

For more information on how to improve the mesh parts quality you may refer to Advanced Meshing Tools User Guide, Surface Mesher in Analysis.