The CAD/CAE Iterative Cycle: Model Clean Up (R)
5/13/2008
For CAE analysts doing finite element analysis, their world revolves around a CAD/CAE iterative cycle of model, mesh, analyze, and manually update models based on CAE results; then repeat. Integrated CAD and CAE applications with associative update, together with automatic meshing algorithms, have reduced the amount of time users have needed to perform these iterations. Even so, roadblocks still occur. Between receiving the CAD model from design engineering, and execution of a meshing algorithm, CAE analysts overwhelmingly report the need to do MODEL CLEAN UP. User intervention is necessary to both resolve topological inaccuracies in CAD data such as closing gaps and eliminating sliver surfaces, and to reduce model complexity by eliminating small holes and fillets. CPDA recently conducted a survey of end users to more accurately assess the extent of the current problem and its impact on product cycle time. These end users report a mixed opinion of their experiences and their satisfaction level with their current solutions.
Keywords: CAD, CAE, finite element analysis, meshing, model clean up, model detail, model errors, model gaps, sliver surfaces, watertight