SURFACE MESH

This function allows the user to create auto-mesh on the selected surface(s). The user must complete the definition in Figure 5.3.4.

Figure 5.3.4 Surface Mesh

  • Select the SELECT SURFACES button. See Section 4.3.3, PART/ADD SURFACE, for more information.

  • Select a type of tool: CONNECTED or DISCONNECTED MESH, PART MESHER, or TRIANGLE MESHER.

  • CONNECTED TOOL MESH will connect the adjacent surfaces if the gaps are within the GAP TOL.

    DISCONNECTED TOOL MESH will leave gaps between elements that are located on adjacent surfaces.

    PART MESHER is the new topology mesher.

    TRIANGLE MESHER will only generate triangle elements.

  • Select or deselect IN ORIGINAL PART. This option includes the created elements in original part or in current part.

     

  • Select or deselect BOUNDARY CHECK. This option checks and displays the model boundary after building the topological structures.

     

  • Enter the numbers of MAXIMUM SIZE, MINIMUM SIZE, ANGLE and CHORDAL DEVIATION in the data field.

    MAXIMUM SIZE
    Controls the maximum size

    MINIMUM SIZE
    Controls the minimum size

    ANGLE
    Controls the inclination of the adjacent elements

    CHORDAL
    Controls the number of elements at the radius

    INGNORE HOLE SIZE
    Fills the interior hole of the surface with mesh if the hole size is less than the given value
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  • Select APPLY TO MESH

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    If TOOL MESH is selected:

    eta/DYNAFORM will create the mesh suitable for punch or die definition on the selected surfaces. If the number of selected surfaces is equal to or greater than 2, the BOUNDARY CHECK is activated. The function first builds topological structures and then displays the STATUS WINDOW. See Figure 5.3.5. A message will be given in the PROMPT window.

     

    Figure 5.3.5  Building Topological Structures

    After building the topological structures, the DYNAFORM Question window appears. See Figure 5.3.6. Select YES to accept the boundary and continue to the next step. Select NO to display the BOUNDARY CHECK window. See Figure 5.3.7.

     

    Figure 5.3.6 DYNAFORM Question                        Figure 5.3.7 Boundary Check

    Select/deselect SHOW BOUNDARY ONLY to display surfaces with model boundary. Select OK to accept the Gap Tolerance. Select REDO to enter the new GAP TOL to rebuild the topological structures.

    After the user selects or accepts the gap tolerance, eta/DYNAFORM begins to mesh surface boundary. See Figure 5.3.8. For mesh creation, see Figure 5.3.9.

    Figure 5.3.8 Meshing Surface Boundaries

    Figure 5.3.9 Creating Mesh

    The ACCEPT MESH CONFIRMATION (YES and NO) window will be activated in the SURFACE MESH window. Select YES or NO to accept or reject the created mesh.

    Select OK to exit.

    Note: When any status window appears, the user can abort the current operation by selecting ABORT.

    If PART MESHER is selected:

    PART MESHER is the new topology mesher. Refer to Figure 5.3.10 for the list of control parameters.

     

    CHECK SURFACE
    Check for duplicate surfaces while meshing.

    MESH BY PART
    Mesh parts one at a time. The mesh will not be connected between parts.

    AUTO REPAIR
    Automatically merge gaps between elements and delete free nodes.

    INGNORE HOLE SIZE
    Fill an interior hole in the surface with mesh if the hole size is less than the given value.

    MESH QUALITY
    Refer to the parameters to control mesh quality in Figure 5.3.11.

     

    Figure 5.3.10 Part Mesher                               Figure 5.3.11 Mesh Quality

     

    If TRIANGLE MESHER is selected:

    The user can enter only the element size and the gap tolerance as shown in Figure 5.3.12.

    Figure 5.3.12 Triangle Mesher