Week 12 - Project-1

AIM:

To import the given 3D side door geometry model and mesh the body according to the given constraints,

PROCEDURE:

• Import the geometry file and change the view from "Auto" to "By Topo" to see if there are any solids present. If any present , delete the solids.

• The given geometry is a complex component and has ribs of varying thicknesses. Hence we divide the geometry into 4 components to save time.
• The sections are generated by using Quick edit and surface edit options in the Geom section.

• Go to Tools->Organize and move the individual sections into separate components and rename the component names and new colors to differentiate the components.
• Since the given model is 3D and it is important to generate midsurface to enable 2D meshing.
• First we can try Automidsurfacing by going to Geom->midsurface and selct extraction options to "Offset" mode and click Extract in Auto midsurface.

• We can see that some of the components have been missed of left to midsurface. For those components we prefer Manual midsurfacing.
• Some ribs have very large thickness so that we can also prefer "final edit tools" option in the midsurface option.

• Select the adjacent surfaces as side1 and side 2 and click extract to generate the midsurface.
• Patch the geometry for open edges and free contours and complete the surfaces.
• Also make sure that the ribs are attached to the body while generating midsurface. If not, use Geom->Surface edit->Extend option to extend the surfaces till the bottom of the rib display the Yellow line.
• Specify the given mesh criteria in Tools->check elems and mention the values as follows,

• Go to 2D->Automesh and select mesh type as "mixed" and element size as 4mm and start meshing.
• It is important to start meshing from the ribs because they are normal to main surface and must ensure that it should not distort the mesh flow.
• Separate various sections in the component so that the mesh aligns properly.

• The other intricate parts are meshed for one complete component and then moved on to the next component which is adjacent to the meshed body in order to maintain the element connectivity.

• If there is no connectivity then it may result in the formation of free edges. We can check them by Tools->edges and select the component.

• In such cases, we can connect the elements by pressing F3 key and select the two nodes that must be joined to complete the mesh connection.
• After meshing all the components, the Mesh can be smoothened in 2D->smooth and mention the number of iterations and click smooth.

• It is also mentioned in the problem statement to assign thickness to the components.
• Create rib components since each rib may have different thicknesses and also create respective properties.
• Now mention the thickness values in each property and assign those properties in "Card edit" option in components pane.

• Then click save and export the file.

CONCLUSION:

The heavy machinery and Automotive components are much complex and difficult to mesh because of the intricate components and attachments provided along with the main model like Bolts, pin holes, ribs, etc.

Hence this model helps understanding each and every tools utilised in meshing options to successfully mesh the components to the given constraints.