3D meshing capabilities are essential to Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) workflows because they convert complex geometry into finite elements that can be analyzed for structural, thermal, and fluid performance. This step ensures accurate simulation results by enabling engineers to model real-world behavior with precision, forming the foundation of reliable CAE analysis.
In this post, we’ll recommend best practices for 3D Meshing, explore different meshing workflows, and introduce Spatial’s meshing solutions. Spatial meshing SDKs facilitate seamless simulation integration in CAE applications and can enhance simulation workflows for application developers.
Before we dive in, if you would like to gain a deeper understanding of meshing, visit our glossary page on mesh generation.
A CAE mesh connects your CAD data to the analysis application. It is a model discretization that meets the mathematical requirements of the targeted numerical solver or analysis application. Meshing enhances CAE workflows, offering control, accuracy, and performance in simulations.
Four-step simulation workflow:
Caption: Example of a CAD model with meshing
This meshing workflow is the critical link between the geometry and the solver. It ensures the mesh generation process is well integrated and produces reliable results tailored for the solver. A mesh suitable for a CAE application is a special type of tessellation. The type of mesh suitable for CAE is not the same as a tessellation for graphical applications, not the same as a point cloud scan, and not any model tessellation. The solvers in CAE are modeling complex physical phenomena. The numerical equation approximations that are implemented in solvers rely on mathematical constraints that have to be respected to ensure accuracy in results.
Learn more about how Spatial SDKs solve challenges in the CAE industry.
Importance of Meshing
Meshing acts as a critical link between geometry and solvers. A well-integrated meshing process ensures accurate results, making it tailored to solver requirements. Different mesh types exist for various applications (e.g., rendering, engineering scans), but CAE requires highly controlled meshes for accuracy.
All solvers have very different constraints regarding the type of mesh they support to get meaningful results. Below are examples of the need to respect mathematical constraints.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Validation—Requires a consistent tessellation across an entire geometry in order to properly observe the convergence towards a solution when generating increasingly refined meshes.
Related read: What is FEA?
CFL Condition for Finite Difference Solvers—This condition must be respected to ensure the solver's stability, which is dependent on mesh size constraints.
Industry-Specific Solvers:
Related read: Additive Manufacturing for Medical Applications
Meshing Technology at Spatial
To support the industry's variety of meshing needs, Spatial offers Convergent Surface Mesher (CSM) and Convergent Volume Mesher (CVM) for robust surface and volume meshing technology. Both CSM and CVM are an automatic and reliable 3D mesh generation SDKs designed to enhance modern simulation workflows. These advanced tools offers unmatched control and advanced features, ensuring both accuracy and performance in your simulations.
Surface Meshing Components
Volume Meshing Components
Spatial’s meshers support analytical CAD (BREP, CGM, ACIS) and mesh-based inputs.
Learn more about Robust Surface and Volume Meshing Technology
High levels of customization with meshing in applications can be a bit overwhelming at first. The following are the best practices we recommend when first getting started.
Triangles and quadrilaterals can be generated using three different modes: full triangle mesh (default), quad-dominant mesh, and full-quad mesh.
Once you have chosen the type of elements you want to generate, the more important question is how to control the mesh size. Two concepts usually come into play: physical (or absolute) sizing, and geometric (or feature-based) sizing, along with a third hybrid approach:
When choosing your mesh sizing, each method should be considered within the context of the application and the type of requirements you have. General rules for selecting a mesh size are as follows:
Use a constant global size when geometry accuracy is not critical and the solver is sensitive to very small elements, e.g., the CFL condition for finite difference solvers.
Use a geometry-based size when the model contains fine features or high curvatures that must be respected to accurately capture the physics.
Apply an appropriate gradation level to avoid abrupt changes between neighboring elements, since solvers can be sensitive to sharp transitions in element size.
Pro Tip: The maximum size is small enough to be compatible with the level of detail you want to capture. The minimum size is large enough to prevent a high number of elements, and too small elements (that may prevent a smooth convergence).
3. Volume Meshing Considerations
There are criteria to take into consideration when moving to volume meshing. This is due to the number of cells generated, which are usually more critical and can significantly impact the time it takes to complete the simulation. The goals for volume meshing are to find a compromise between the number of cells and the time it takes to run the simulation. Here are our recommendations:
For simple volume workflows, sizing is relatively straightforward. The gradation is used to grow elements from the surface mesh size. Volume elements are generated from the surface mesh element size without any sizing constraints.
Volume Gradation = 1.05 Volume Gradation = 1.5 Volume Gradation = 1.9
Caption: Examples of gradation to grow elements from the surface mesh size
Pro Tips: Use controls over the maximum and minimum element sizes acceptable in the generated mesh. Use Hexahedral elements to fill the majority of the volume, and use tetra and other types to manage the transition with the surface.
Advanced Meshing Workflows
3D meshing capabilities are integral to CAE applications. Choosing the right mesh type and sizing, and understanding volume meshing constraints, are best practices that Spatial’s meshing SDKs help facilitate. Spatial’s meshing solutions provide robust and customizable tools for application developers looking to integrate high-quality simulation-ready mesh workflows.
There’s more where this came from. Check out our blog for tips, industry-specific uses for our SDKs, and product updates.
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Related Read: How to Optimize the Meshing Process for CFD and FEA
Spatial Corp, a Dassault Systèmes subsidiary, is the leading provider of 3D software development toolkits for technical applications across a broad range of industries. Spatial 3D modeling, 3D visualization, 3Dand CAD translation software development toolkits help application developers deliver market-leading products, maintain focus on core competencies, and reduce time-to-market. For over 35 years, Spatial’s 3D software development toolkits have been adopted by many of the world’s most recognized software developers, manufacturers, research institutes, and universities. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Spatial has offices in the USA, France, Germany, Japan, China, and the United Kingdom. For more information on Spatial’s latest updates and product offerings, please visit www.spatial.com.