How to start Meshing ?

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Hello Guys,

I assume you want to become CAE Engineer and you are really interested to know about or learn Meshing. Before you start Meshing, one must know what is Meshing in FEA and for that, I have already explained you about meshing in my previous blog post.

Now coming to the point, How to start Meshing ??



If you would like to do Meshing then you first need Meshing softwares like ANSA or HyperMesh etc.
These softwares are from well reputed companies and used across the world for Meshing in CAE.

I would suggest you to learn these two softwares if you really wanna start your CAE journey.

The procedure one should follow to start Meshing are given below :

1.  Study The Geometry of Part Carefully

Most of the CAE Engineers start meshing immediately without studying the actual geometry.It is advisable to spend sufficient amount of time on geometry.Read all requirements and instructions carefully before you start Meshing.

2. Time Estimation 

These is again the most important stept in Meshing. One should understand the time required to finish the meshing task. Generally the time to finish the part meshing is depend on the experience of CAE Engineer. Less experience engineer will estimate more time. Also if someone is handling the job first time or he is fresher will require more time. But if someone is doing same task again and again, then meshing time will reduce.

3. Geometry Check 

 Generally CAD data is provided in *.igs format. Geometry cleanup at least have the basic knowledge  of CAD. Before starting the job, at least have the basic knowledge of CAD. 

 • Free edges
 • Scar lines
 • Duplicate surfaces
 • Small fillets
 • Small holes
 • Beads
 • Intersection of parts (assembly of components) 

All meshing softwares provides special tools for geometry cleanup and simplification, which are usually faster than CAD software. Many time, for complected geometry, surfacing operation fail in CAD  software  and it could be easily handled by CAE Engineer by avoiding the geometry and generating mesh using manual techniques.

4. Symmetry Check

You need to check for the symmetrical portion of the part. If part is reflectable, then just reflect it using the command in software.The software commands like reflection or rotation is useful in this case.
This method will reduce the time and generate faster mesh. 



5. Selection Of  Type of  Elements

In real life, we rarely use only one type of element. It is usually a combination of different types of elements ( 1D, 2D, 3D and Other ) 


In the above image, bucket handle is modelled by beam (1D) elements, the bucket body uses 2D elements. And the connection between the bucket and handle uses RBE2 (rigid) elements.

6. Joint Modeling

a. Special instructions for bolted joints (specific construction around holes )
b. Spot and arc weld
c. Contact or gap elements and the requirement of the same pattern on surfaces in contact
d. Adhesive joint 

7. Splitting the job

When work load is more or time is less for delivery then it is always better to split the job among several engineers by providing a common mesh of interfaces.

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