What is Meshing?
Contents
Meshing is a method in which the component or part is divided into several small proportions. We can also say that meshing is the breaking of large geometries into small discrete cells. Meshing is generally needed in the analysis of either FEA or CFD, and also in the Graphic rendering process. The small cell of mesh is generally called an Element.
Meshing is a very important step in analyzing this will generate the best results or worst depending on the mesh quality.
The Element shapes are of various types, we can categorize them in two subheadings under the 2D mesh and 3D mesh.
Types of Mesh shape
Under 2-Dimensional meshing, the mesh is created on the surface. 2D meshing is generally ideal for analyzing 2D surfaces. Types of 2D shaped mesh are: –
- Triangle
- Quadrilateral
Note: – In computational, poor elements with sharp internal angles are generally weaker or the short edges or a combination of two.
Under 3-Dimensional meshing, the mesh is creating throughout the body of the component. This creates 3-d shapes within the body and we see only one side of the mesh on the surface. Types of 3D shaped mesh are: –
- Tetrahedral
- Pyramid
- Triangular Prism
- Hexahedron
Various factors affect the mesh quality. The factors like Aspect Ratio, Jacobian, and Skewness. So experts recommend that while creating mesh using proper topology for the design and the elements must be distributing evenly.
Meshing In solidworks
In Solidworks, we create mesh before running the analysis. We can follow the steps to generate the mesh elements in Solidworks. Solidworks have two ways to generate the mesh. One way is to generate an automatic mesh and the other way is to manually mesh the component in desired element shape requirement.
- Click on the Simulation > New Study
- Select the type of analysis.
Click on Mesh > Create Mesh > Select the mesh density
You can drag the pointer to adjust the density of the mesh and apply the setting by clicking on the right tick / OK.
We have to adjust the mesh quality by exploring the advanced mesh option. You have to click on the mesh parameter there we will change the Global size of the element, Tolerance of the element, min number of elements in a circle, and Element size growth ratio. These options change the element’s size and shape enhancing the quality of the mesh.
We can also generate mesh on a specific surface or face of the component by going to Apply Mesh Control. This option is very useful in meshing complex geometries and redefining the mesh. This way our mesh will be optimizing in critical areas. After setting the mesh control we have to regenerate the mesh by going again to mesh > Create Mesh and clicking on OK. This step will stitch the mesh generated using the Auto method and Mesh control method. This result creates a smooth flow of elements and stresses and other forces in analysis effectively.
Finer and evenly distributed mesh elements generate good results. We should keep in mind that while generating mesh it should be simple, evenly distributed, and smooth throughout the geometry.
