Imprint-Based Mesh Generation for CAD Faces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional meshing algorithms struggle to generate high-quality meshes at critical regions of CAD models, leading to insufficient accuracy in FEA simulations due to limitations in geometry alteration and mesh smoothing, resulting in increased processing times and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
The imprint-based mesh generation technology decomposes CAD faces into virtual regions, allowing for customizable meshing parameters to create finer or higher-quality mesh elements at critical areas without altering the underlying geometry, enabling seamless and flexible meshing within the existing meshing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional meshing algorithms are used to generate meshes at critical regions of CAD models, then the meshing process can be completed with standard procedures, but the mesh quality and accuracy at critical regions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different meshing parameters to be applied to different regions of a CAD face. Virtual regions are defined within a CAD face, and each virtual region can have customized meshing parameters (such as element size, density, or distribution) independent of other regions. This enables high-quality, fine-meshed areas at critical regions while maintaining coarser meshing in non-critical areas, thus improving overall mesh quality without requiring complete geometry alteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments a single CAD face into multiple virtual regions, each of which can be meshed independently with different parameters. This segmentation allows the meshing process to treat different portions of the same geometric face differently, enabling localized mesh refinement at critical regions while maintaining efficiency in other areas. The virtual regions are defined by coordinate systems and transformation matrices that map user-defined regions to the CAD face parameter space.
2Manufacturing precision
If geometry alteration is applied to improve mesh quality at critical regions, then mesh accuracy can be enhanced, but the underlying CAD model geometry is modified and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the CAD geometry and the mesh generation process. Instead of directly modifying the CAD geometry, virtual regions are defined as intermediate constructs that overlay the existing geometry. These virtual regions act as a mediator that guides mesh generation without altering the source geometry. The virtual regions are defined through coordinate transformations and mapping functions that allow mesh parameter customization while keeping the original CAD model intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies or representations of regions within the CAD face parameter space rather than modifying the actual geometry. These virtual regions are computational constructs that mirror the spatial relationships and boundaries needed for localized meshing. By working with these virtual representations rather than directly altering the CAD model, the system achieves mesh customization without geometry modification or increased processing complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If mesh smoothing is applied to improve mesh quality, then transitions between mesh elements can be improved, but processing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by defining virtual regions and their associated meshing parameters before the actual mesh generation process begins. All decisions about where fine meshing is needed and what parameters to use are predetermined through the virtual region definitions. This upfront planning eliminates the need for iterative mesh smoothing operations that would otherwise be required to achieve similar quality improvements, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high mesh quality at critical regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system may include a computer-aided design face access engine configured to access a CAD object and an imprint-based meshing engine configured to define an imprint region for a face of the CAD object and decompose the face into virtual faces, including an imprinted virtual face and a remainder virtual face. The imprint-based meshing engine may also be configured to mesh the imprinted virtual face, mesh the remainder virtual face, and merge the imprint region mesh and the remainder region mesh together to form an output mesh, including by extending a portion of the imprint region mesh into the remainder portion of the face or extending a portion of the remainder region mesh into the imprint region.