Meshing (tutorial)

This tutorial will teach you how to select and generate the appropriate mesh type, and make you aware of problems with the mesh that may arise.

Tutorial duration: Approximately 55 minutes

Analyzing a model is a complex operation. Modeling the way molten plastic (a non-Newtonian fluid) flows, especially through complex model geometry, is difficult.

To overcome these issues, a part is divided into smaller elements that are joined together. The result is a mesh. Temperature, pressure, and velocity of flow are then calculated for each element within the mesh. The cumulative effect is a representation of the whole model.

Three different types of mesh (analysis technologies) are available:
Each of these will be discussed in this tutorial along with:
Tip: The list of tasks can be displayed at any time in the Wiki Help. Navigate to Insight > Tutorials > Automating this product, and select the required task.

Tasks list

  1. Midplane mesh
    Historically, a part was meshed by determining the thickness of the part and then assigning a surface plane through the middle of the thickness.
  2. Dual Domain mesh
    A Dual Domain mesh represents a solid CAD model by covering the surface of the model with triangular elements. The corners of the triangular elements are called nodes.
  3. 3D mesh
    A 3D mesh represents the CAD model by filling the volume of the model with four-node, tetrahedral elements (tetras).
  4. Meshing a model
    The quality of the mesh used in your analysis will determine the accuracy of your results.
  5. Checking the mesh for errors
    CAD programs represent complex models by combining simpler surfaces together into the finished design.
  6. Meshing a model in 3D
    In this task, you will complete the following steps.
  7. Tutorial review
    This tutorial has given you an overview of the mesh functions.
Parent topic: Tutorials