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TheoryandMechanicaModelTopicsUnderstandingMeshesLecture

Understanding_Meshes.mp3

Understanding Meshes

AutoGEM enables you to create meshes composed of geometric

elements.

Mesh creationModel Preparation

Generating Meshes Reviewing and Refining Meshes

LectureNotesMesh creation and storage

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Meshes can be created before an analysis is run or at the time an analysis is run. If amesh isn't present when an analysis is run, Mechanica will automatically use the

current AutoGEM settings and controls to create one.

Meshes can be created, loaded, copied from a design study, and saved. Meshes aresaved in a file with the same name as the Pro/ENGINEER model with a .mmp

extension added.

Model Preparation

Before generating a mesh, consider completing the following steps as necessary:

If more elements are desired in a particular area of interest, add geometry(such as points, datum curves, or datum surfaces), or simulation features (suchas surface or volume regions) to increase the element density.

Assign beam idealizations before meshing to avoid errors. Assign shell (simple or advanced) idealizations. Define 2D model idealizations (plane strain, plane stress, and axisymmetric). Ensure that the Insert Points and Move Or Delete Existing Points options

are set in the AutoGEM Settings dialog box. (In almost all cases, having theseoptions selected will result in a more optimal set of mesh elements).

Assign materials wherever necessary (solids, shell, and other idealizations).Generating Meshes

Once the model has been prepared, the process of actually generating a mesh isusually quite simple. Once the AutoGEM dialog box is open, the default option ofAllwith Properties is usually accepted. Alternatively, AutoGEM can be restricted to

create meshes only in a Component, Volume, Region, or Curve that the user selects.

Reviewing and Refining Meshes

Anytime AutoGEM finishes creating a mesh, the results are posted in the AutoGEM

Summary dialog box and may be reviewed. The mesh can also be saved at this point,

enabling the user to leave the mesh creation mode. At this point, the user may opt to

make some changes to the AutoGEM settings and/or controls. The user can then

return to the mesh creation mode, load the existing mesh, and further refine the

mesh for the analysis model. This process can be repeated until the desired set of

mesh elements has been generated.

UnderstandingMeshesDemonstrationUnderstanding_Meshes_demo.mp4

UnderstandingMeshesProcedure

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Procedure: Creating Meshes

ScenarioCreate a mesh in a simple part.

Creating_Meshes simple_block.prt

Task 1. Create a mesh in the SIMPLE_BLOCK.PRT part.

1. Click Applications > Mechanica.

2. Click Create and click Create from the AutoGEM dialog box to create a mesh

using the default settings.

3. After examining the resulting mesh, click Close from the AutoGEM Summary dialogbox then Close from the AutoGEM dialog box. Click Yes to save the mesh and leave

the AutoGEM mode.

Task 2. Note the creation of new files in the working directory, save the model and

erase it from memory.

1. Click Folder Browser > Working Directory .

2. Note the creation of the following files: simple_block.agm, simple_block.mmp, andsimple_block.usr.

Mesh information is stored in .mmp files. The other files are log files.

3. Return to the Standard Pro/ENGINEER mode by clicking Applications > Standard.

4. Click Save from the main toolbar and click OK to save the model.

5. Click File > Erase > Current > Yes to erase the model from memory.

This completes the procedure.