Mesh the Vehicle Dashboard with Quality criteria using ANSA

AIM: To mesh the given Dashboard model based on quality criteria.

KEYWORDS: Topo, Batch mesh, Jacobian, Aspect ratio etc.,

SOFTWARE: Ansa

OBJECTIVE:

( i ). For the given component check for Geometry clean up & Topo the model.

( ii ). After the cleanup, perform the midsurface and again check for geometry clean up.

( iii ). In the midsurface set the given quality criteria and perform the mesh operation by assigning the thickness.

INTRODUCTION:

ANSA is a computer-aided engineering tool for Finite Element Analysis and CFD Analysis widely used in the automotive industry. It is developed by BETA CAE Systems. ANSA maintains the association between CAD geometry and the FE mesh. This means that the FE meshes are better representations of their geometric parents. Also, it is easy to maintain and update any changes in the geometry by simply reworking the updated area instead of recreating the FE from scratch. It carries several proprietary algorithms for meshing suitable for both CFD and structural models. ANSA was initially standing for 'Automatic net generation for structural analysis', but the software has gone beyond that very quickly. The below figure shows that the actual model to mesh.

( i ) GEOMETRY CLEAN-UP:

In ANSA software there certain kinds of tools used for geometry clean up, meshing, and different types of solvers to define certain problems. Initially, the CAD model should import to the software and check for geometry any error found! there are certain types of errors like triple cons, single cons, unchecked faces, convex cons, etc., These errors can fix automatically & also manually. In this model some errors are auto-fixed and some fixed manually, the list of errors is shown below.

Before reading any CAD data into ANSA you can specify some settings concerning the application of Topology (the connectivity of neighboring Faces), and the Resolution (the appearance of geometrical entities on the screen). These settings should correspond to the dimensions, level of detail, and tolerances of the CAD. Here, the CAD model as Dash Board sub-parts and the below figure shows that cleaned geometry after did topo and related operations, which is ready to proceed with Mid_surface

( ii ) MID_SURFACE:

After completed the Geometry clean-up, the Model should proceed with Mid_Surface. In Mid-Surface, it can be done with Auto or Manual. In this casting model, the auto mid-surface is not working due to some complex features and irregular thickness present in the model so Midsurface obtained manually keeping the feature angle as 5 degrees and select the part and did offset. Some features and ribs are taken by using the middle option. The Mid-Surface of this model is shown below,

( iii ) MESHING:

After completed the Mid-surface with zero geometry error, the model is ready to mesh as per the quality criteria. In meshing, there are 3 types General, CFD & Standard, here General type mesh is selected with mixed elements i.e., both trias and quads. Before begin with meshing, we need to assign Quality criteria & mesh parameters.

Here, the meshing part as done and there are some off elements are present in the component which is because of triple cons present over there and also due to small areas.

CONCLUSION:

• This model completed the geometry clean-up, topo, and midsurface. After all the processes started applying the mesh as per the quality criteria.
• The Geometry cleanup can be eliminated by auto fix and some errors can be fixed manually.
• The midsurface can be created manually, the auto midsurface was not working for this model.
• After all the midsurface created, started doing mesh for all parts. The mesh used as General for better accuracy and flow.
• After completed all the mesh assign thickness as "Draw shell as solid".