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Generating mesh for an FEA model,
either from CAD line data or manually digitized/created line data, is a
fundamental of Finite Element Analysis. Seventy percent of the time, effort and
resources of an FEA project are spent on mesh generation which raises the
importance of the modeling package; in particular, the pre-processing part of
the package. A good pre-processor for mesh generation has to have the following
key elements:
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1
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A CAD Interface with IGES, and VDA translators and if possible,
a native CAD environment.
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2
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CAD operations which allow work with points, lines, surfaces
and solids.
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3
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The ability to rearrange and repair CAD data.
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4
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An Auto-Mesher that can generate elements to a particular
pattern and density according to the analysis requirements.
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5
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Mesh modification functions to tailor-fit the finite element
model to the particular requirements.
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6
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Model checking and validation functions.
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7
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The ability to define the non-graphical data of the
analysis.
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8
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The ability to read-in and write-out the mesh of a primary
analysis code and other commonly used analysis codes.
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For post-processing, good
computer graphics and high speed 3-D processing are a necessity. Also, the
ability to read selected results from the analysis output database files is
essential.
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