CAD Model Tessellation for Meshless Structural Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Finite Element Analysis (FEA) methods require extensive pre-processing and idealization of CAD models, breaking CAD-CAE integration and hindering efficient structural analysis due to mesh-centric approaches, which are complex and time-consuming, limiting their usability among design engineers.
Innovation Solution
The method employs Approximate Convex Decomposition to tessellate CAD models into three-dimensional cells, allowing direct application of boundary conditions and using discontinuous Galerkin or Trefftz methods for numerical simulation, enabling CAD-embedded analysis without meshing and reducing pre-processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used for structural analysis, then accurate stress and deformation calculation is achieved, but extensive pre-processing and meshing operations are required, increasing analysis time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The method segments the CAD model into convex decomposition cells, allowing direct application of boundary conditions without traditional meshing. This segmentation approach maintains geometric fidelity while eliminating the time-consuming mesh generation process, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and pre-processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary representation (convex decomposition cells) between the CAD model and the FEA solver. This intermediary allows direct import of CAD geometry while providing a suitable structure for numerical analysis, eliminating the need for defeaturing and meshing operations
2Manufacturing precision
If CAD models include detailed geometrical features (holes, chamfers, fillets), then design fidelity is maintained, but meshing becomes difficult and analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method extracts only the essential geometric information needed for structural analysis from the CAD model, eliminating non-essential features like small holes, chamfers, and fillets. This extraction process maintains design fidelity for stress analysis while removing geometric details that would complicate meshing
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of simplifying geometry before meshing, the patent inverts the traditional workflow by using convex decomposition cells that can directly represent complex CAD geometry without requiring mesh simplification. This inversion allows detailed geometry to be maintained while avoiding meshing complexity
3Reliability
If traditional FEA meshing is used, then numerical analysis can be performed, but CAD-CAE integration is broken and two different versions of the design are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CAD modeling step and the CAE analysis step into a unified workflow. By using convex decomposition cells that can be directly generated from CAD models and used for FEA, the method eliminates the need for separate meshing and defeaturing processes, maintaining CAD-CAE integration throughout the analysis workflow
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for modelling an object subjected to boundary conditions from an object model that defines a component by a three-dimensional boundary representing format is provided. The method includes providing boundary conditions including loads and/or constraints to the object, and providing the object model. The boundary representation of the object model is tessellated, obtaining an object tessellation. An approximate convex decomposition is applied to the object tessellation, obtaining three-dimensional cells respectively defined from each other by splitting planes. A numerical model is generated by applying a discontinuous Galerkin method to the three-dimensional cells. Determination of a load capacity, an improvement of the design, or the generation, in each case, of the component, are provided.