Meshing frustrations

[ParabolicTet]

I use the independent FEM mode in ProE to mesh and export to IDEAS for solving and post-processing. I find the meshing module to be quite a frustrating experience. You have to continuously play with different local and global element size controls to get the part to mesh. When it is unable to mesh ProE doesn't give you any helpful tips.

Can't the software have some "intelligence" coded into it to iterate through a range of element sizes in order to generate a mesh?

 

[arnoldh]

the mesher is not always that good, but a lot of meshing problems can be solved by proper modelling. Especially things like "exotic" radius transitions or very small hight differences can cause a lot of problems. In the mean time I think I am able to identify the problematic areas very good before I transfer the model to Pro/M. Meshing problems hardly occur anymore. The only problem I really have with the mesher, is if you want to get a little bit a finer mesh the meshing takes sooooo long.

 

[ParabolicTet]

I agree that upfront geometry cleanup and feature suppression is neccessary to obtain a meshable part. However, my gripe with the mesher is that only meshes for certain element sizes. For example it will mesh for a global size of 25, but if i try 22, 23, 24, 26, 27,28 etc. it will say "unable to mesh" instead of saying "try global max sie of 25".