17.0 Release
Workshop 05.1: Mesh Creation
Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Goals
The goal of this workshop is to use several techniques in order to mesh an assembly.
We will work with one-half of the actual assembly, as the assembly exhibits mirror
symmetry. The part numbers shown below will be used for reference on the
subsequent slides.
Part 3
Part 1
Part 2
Part 6
Part 4
Part 5
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Project Schematic
1. Begin a new Workbench session and, from
the Workbench window, choose “Restore
Archive… ,“ browse to file “Meshing.wbpz,”
and click Open.
2. When prompted, “Save” using the default
name in the same location as the archive
file.
3. Double click the “Model” cell to start
Mechanical.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
1.
3.
Meshing
Generate a default mesh: RMB on Mesh > Generate Mesh
Take a few minutes to review the results.
By default, ANSYS Mechanical will use hexahedral elements for sweepable
bodies (Parts 4 and 5) and patch-conforming tetrahedral elements elsewhere.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
We will choose the most effective and/or most convenient meshing method for each
part. Part 1 has a lot of very small surfaces compared to the overall size of the part.
We will use the patch-independent tetrahedrons algorithm to get efficient node
distribution on these small surfaces.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
4.
Meshing
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
5.
Choose the Body selection mode.
Select the Mesh branch.
Select Part 1, then RMB > Insert > Method.
Change the Method to “Tetrahedrons.”
Change the Algorithm to “Patch Independent.”
Set “Min Size Limit” to 5 mm.
7.
6.
8.
9.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
10.
10. Select Part 1, then RMB > Generate Mesh
On Selected Bodies.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
Part 2 is sweepable since it was split prior to import. We can create a swept mesh by
sweeping an appropriate surface mesh along the direction of the red arrows.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
11. Select any body in Part 2, then RMB > Insert > Method.
12. Change the Method to “Sweep.”
13. Change the Src/Trg Selection to “Manual Source and
Target.” Select the source graphically, then the target.
14. Set “Sweep Num Divs” to 10.
11.
13.
T
12.
S
13.
14.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
15. Repeat the operations 11 > 14 for the three other
bodies in the part.
16. Select the 4 bodies of Part 2 and RMB > Generate
Mesh On Selected Bodies.
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March 11, 2016
16.
Meshing
Part 3 has no special challenges. This part is simple to mesh with the patchconforming tetrahedrons method.
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March 11, 2016
Meshing
17.
17. Select Part 3 > RMB > insert > method.
18. Change the method to “Tetrahedrons.”
19. Change the algorithm to “Patch Conforming.”
20. Select Part 3, then RMB > Insert > Sizing.
21. Set “Element Size” to 8 mm.
21.
18.
19.
20.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
22. Select Part 3, then RMB > Generate Mesh On
Selected Bodies.
22.
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March 11, 2016
Meshing
Parts 4 and 5 are very simple. We will use the sweep method in the direction of the
red arrows to generate the mesh.
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March 11, 2016
Meshing
23.
11.
23. Select Part 4, then RMB > Insert > Method.
24. Change the Method to “Sweep.”
25. Change the Src/Trg Selection to “Manual Source
and Target.” Select the source graphically, then the
target.
26. Set “Sweep Num Divs” to 25.
T
24.
25.
26.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
S
March 11, 2016
Meshing
27. Repeat Steps 23 through 26 for Part 5.
28.
28. Switch to face selection.
29. Select the source face on each Parts 4 and 5, then
RMB > Insert > Sizing.
30. Set “Element Size” to 8 mm.
29.
30.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
31. Select Parts 4 and 5, then RMB > Generate Mesh On Selected Bodies.
20.
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March 11, 2016
Meshing
Part 6 can be swept in different ways. This part can also be sliced in DesignModeler or
SpaceClaim before import into Mechanical to mesh using the Hex Dominant method.
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Meshing
32.
32. Switch to body selection.
33. Select Part 6, then RMB > Insert > Method.
34. Change the Method to “Hex Dominant.”
35. Select Part 6, then RMB> Insert > Sizing.
36. Put 8 mm for element size.
34.
33.
35.
36.
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March 11, 2016
Meshing
37. Select Part 6, then RMB > Generate Mesh On Selected Bodies.
37.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
You can now review the entire mesh.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
You can check the mesh statistics for the number of nodes, number of elements, and
element quality.
38.
38. Select the Mesh branch.
39.
39. In the Details view, expand Statistics, then check the
numbers of nodes and elements.
40. Change Mesh Metric to Element Quality and review
the mesh quality.
40.
Note: Metrics can be plotted on the mesh via ‘‘Display Style’’ in the Mesh Details view.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
42.
You can now improve the mesh locally by using local
mesh tools.
41.
41. Switch to face selection.
42. We can create mapped meshes on some faces to
improve quality. Select the 6 faces shown at
right, then RMB > Insert > Face Meshing.
43. Generate the mesh on this part.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Meshing
We can improve the mesh by using
inflation.
44. Select Mesh, then > RMB > Insert > Inflation.
44.
45. For Geometry, select Part 1.
46. For Boundary, select the two faces shown. Set Inflation Option = Total Thickness,
Number of Layers = 5, Growth Rate = 1, and Maximum Thickness = 8 mm.
47. Generate
46.
47.
the mesh.
45.
46.
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016
Go Further!
If you find yourself with extra time, try the following:
1. Look at the mesh quality to identify the bad elements. Try other global or local
mesh methods in order to improve overall mesh quality.
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March 11, 2016
END
Workshop 05.1: Mesh Creation
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© 2016 ANSYS, Inc.
March 11, 2016