Controlling local mesh density (Mesh Controls)

Video: Locally refine a mesh along edges

Video: Locally refine a mesh on fillets and holes

To create edge and face densities for free and mapped meshes, use the Mesh Control command. Edge and face densities give you local control over the number and distribution pattern of elements along a particular edge or across a particular face.

You can use Mesh Control to create edge and face densities either before or after you generate the mesh. For information on the different types of Mesh Control that you can create, see Number and Size on Edge mesh controls.

Mesh control types

Use the Type menu in the Mesh Control dialog box to select the type of mesh control to create.

Mesh Control type	Description	For more information, see:
Number on Edge	Lets you specify the number of elements to create along a selected edge.	Number and Size on Edge mesh controls
Size on Edge	Lets you specify the size of elements to create along a selected edge.	Number and Size on Edge mesh controls
Chordal Tolerance on Edge	Lets you create a parametric set of node locations that the software derives from equations related to the curvature of the edge or curve. The chordal tolerance is defined as the maximum distance between an arc along the curve and the curve itself. The software creates:A higher density of nodes in regions where the curvature is greater.A lower density of nodes in regions where there is less curvature.	Chordal Tolerance on Edge mesh controls
Biasing on Edge	Lets you specify a ratio that controls the distribution of nodes along a selected edge so that the interval between the nodes is not uniform. Biasing produces a series of node locations which are more dense in one region of the edge and more coarse in the other regions	Biasing on Edge mesh controls
Size on Face	Lets you specify the size of elements to create along a selected face.	Size on Face mesh controls
Weld Row	Lets you create a structured (mapped) row of elements along a set of connected edges that define the location of a weld.	Weld Row mesh controls
Mapped Hole	Lets you create structured rows of elements around specified holes or loops. You can specify:The number of layers (rows) of structured elements that the software creates.The spacing of those elements around the edge of the hole.	Mapped Hole mesh controls
Fillet	Lets you control the distribution of elements along fillet surfaces.	Fillet mesh controls
Cylinder	Lets you control the distribution of elements along cylindrical surfaces.	Cylinder mesh controls
Boundary Layer	Lets you define parameters for boundary layer meshing.	Boundary layer meshing
Point	Lets you define a local element size around a selected point, mesh point, or vertex.	Point mesh controls
Bounding Volume	Lets you define a local solid element size within a bounding volume selection recipe.	Bounding volume mesh controls

Dynamic mesh updates for certain types of mesh control

When you create or edit certain types of mesh controls in a 2D mesh, you can dynamically update the mesh on the target geometry and on any adjacent faces. When you select the Automatic check box, and you define or modify a value in the dialog box, the software updates the mesh. You can use the Automatic option to dynamically update the following types of mesh controls:

• Point

• Number on Edge or Size on Edge

• Size on Face

• Mapped Hole

Note:

The software does not automatically update the mesh when the selected geometry includes a 3D mesh or when you create or modify a type of mesh control that does not support the automatic update behavior.

To apply the changes to the mesh after you examine them, click OK or Apply. If you do not want to keep the changes, you can click Cancel.

Controlling appearance of Mesh Control symbols

When you define a Mesh Control on an edge or a face, the software inserts a special symbol along that edge or face, as shown in the graphic below.

• You can use the options in the Mesh Control Display dialog box to control the size of the symbols and whether they appear as shaded or wireframe.

• You can use the Mesh Controls options in the Customer Defaults to control the appearance of the mesh control symbols, such as the color and line width.

Managing Mesh Controls in the Simulation Navigator

The software stores mesh controls individually in the Simulation Navigator according to their type, as shown below

You can use these individual nodes in the Simulation Navigator to:

• Assign meaningful names to individual mesh controls.

• Control the visibility of each individual mesh control or the visibility of all mesh controls.

• Edit the parameters of specific mesh controls.

• Highlight the meshes related to a selected mesh control. Right-click a mesh control and choose the Highlight Related Meshes command to highlight the associated meshes in both the graphics window and the Simulation Navigator. Use the Highlight Related Meshes command to visualize the relationships between a selected mesh controls and the meshes that they affect.

Creating mesh control definitions

You can create a Mesh Control definition without assigning the mesh control to any specific geometry. A mesh control definition contains local mesh specifications but is not assigned to any specific geometry. You can use Mesh Control Definitions to create templates that contain the standard mesh requirements for parts comprised of similar geometry or parts of the same class.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	A FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	Mesh Control
Menu	Insert→Mesh→Mesh Control

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Controlling local mesh density (Mesh Controls), Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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