Automatic mesh sizing for CAD models

Meshing CAD models is quicker and easier, with the 2017.3 release. Automatic mesh sizing is a new feature that has been added to the Mesh Generation Tool for CAD surfaces. This feature is enabled by default, and assigns edge lengths and chord angles on CAD faces automatically, based on model dimension and curvature.

This feature is available for the following mesh types:

• Dual Domain mesh
• 3D mesh

Auto sizing leads to the following improvement in the mesh:

Advantages

1. The mesh is smooth in high curvature areas
   

   Figure 1: General parameters (left) vs auto sizing (right)

2. The edge length is the same on surface meshes for contact interfaces on assemblies.
3. The mold mesh is graded with large mesh elements on external faces and smaller elements on internal faces.
   

   Figure 2: Edge length variation between external and internal mold faces

4. No chord angle is defined on fillets, preventing from unexpected dense mesh.
   

Basic workflow

1. In the Layers pane, select the CAD body layers that you want meshed on the model. Only the visible model layers are meshed.
2. Ensure that the mesh type of the model is set to Dual Domain. Select (Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Dual Domain)
3. Click (Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Generate Mesh)
4. Click the CAD tab and ensure that Use auto sizing option is selected
5. Click Mesh Now. A Dual Domain mesh is created.

Note: Auto sizing does not overwrite already defined local edge length and chord angle.

Note: You can adjust the edge length through a Scale factor.

Note: