Exit Sketch

Click the „Pull‟ button to exit the sketch and enter 3D Click the „Home‟ button to obtain a trimetric view.
mode. Pull will normally be the first tool used when exiting
a sketch. It is used to create and modify geometry.
View Navigation: Take a moment to explore manipulating the view.
When you are finished press the „Home‟
button to get back to a trimetric view.

The middle mouse button (MMB) alone spins.

Shift+MMB pans.

Ctrl+MMB Zooms.
Create Holes
Select the Pull tool, Select the left circular imprinted region. Holding „Ctrl‟ allows you to select on multiple entities. Hold Ctrl and select the 2nd
circular face and click and drag to pull them down and through the model to create holes.
Move Holes: Click the Move Tool.
Select the cylindrical Click and drag the red straight move handle
face of the hole on the arrow to the right. A new dimension from the
right. original location will appear. Press Spacebar to
freeze the dimension and enter in a value of 1”

Create Ruler Dimension

Click and release the straight green move handle
arrow and a mini toolbar will appear. Click the
Ruler button in the middle.

Type in 0” to align the

center of the holes along
the length of the solid.
Note: the Ruler button is also
located in the Options Panel
Copy a Hole: With the Move tool still active hold the CTRL key and the straight red move handle selected, click the Upto Tool guide .click
the cylindrical face on the right side of the solid.

Click the straight red move handle arrow and a mini toolbar
will appear. Click the UpTo button on the right.

Select the cylindrical face on the far right

side of the solid.

Note: Holding the CTRL key while moving or pulling in any direction
creates a COPY of the selected geometry. The copy is made in the
direction of the arrow.

In this situation the move handle was anchored to the center of the
hole. The “Move UpTo“ command translated the center of the hole “Up
To” the axis through the center of the selected cylindrical face on the
right side of the solid.
Fillet Rounds To enter a dimension, hit Spacebar and type in 0.2. Repeat this on the
Select the Pull Tool and click the edge of the right hole. Notice other hole and use the UpTo Tool guide to snap the second round to the
that it will highlight in bright green. Drag in the direction of the first, by selecting the edge on the 2nd hole, click UpTo and select the first
arrows to Pull the edge into a fillet round round
Copy Edge
Press Tab until the horizontal arrow on the edge is highlight and the
Select the top edge of the middle hole and the copy edge
arrows around the mouse cursor are aligned to the length of the solid.
option from the mini toolbar or the options panel
Drag the mouse cursor in the direction of the arrow, press spacebar and
type in .375”

Note: Pressing „tab‟ toggles between the 2 yellow perpendicular pull

direction arrows.
Create Protrusion
Click on the circular ring face in the middle of the solid. Pull it up an arbitrary distance and click in white space to clear your selection
Create Ruler Dimension
Select the top face of the cylinder as indicated and choose the „Create Ruler Dimension‟ (either from the
Options window on the left or the mini-toolbar popup).

Click the top face of the solid to

dimension from. Once the dimension is set up, enter 0.75‟ as a value and hit enter to set the height of the tube.

Note: You can make the mini-toolbar popup just by clicking an object, such as a face.
If you have multiple objects selected, i.e. 2 faces, release CTRL after selecting the objects to bring up the mini-toolbar.
Sketch Mode: Select the front face of the model and click the “Construction Line‟ button, even while the pull tool is active. (This will put you
into Sketch mode).
Click „Plan View‟ in the upper left to orient the sketch.

Note: If a face is selected when you switch from 3D to 2D (either via the Sketch Mode button or any Sketch tool) that face
will automatically become the plane for the sketch grid
Sketch Mirror: Create a construction line from the midpoint of the edge shown to the midpoint of the top edge
Click Select from the edit group, select and right click on the construction
line and click “Set as Mirror Line”
Sketch Mirror: Click the „Line‟ tool from the edit group and start a line at the base of the construction line. Make the line .375” to the left
or right. Make a second line .625 upward perpendicularly. Finish the sketch with a third line back to the construction line

Click Select in the edit group, select the construction line and press
Delete on the keyboard
Create Surface: Click “Pull‟ to exit the sketch and click „Home‟ to orient it in a trimetric view.

Note: In the structure panel a „Surface‟ has been created because the sketch was not on the face of the solid
Pull Up To: Select the new surface you’ve created and go to the tool guides on the right of the screen.
Click the bottom tool guide which is „Up To‟. This allows us to
snap a surface or face up to another. After the Tool guide is selected select the outer
cylindrical face behind the surface.
Fillet a Chain of Rounds: Double click one of the outer edges to grab a loop of edges. Place a round of .1 on the model. Click
anywhere in white space to deselect the model.
Apply Full Round: Hold down „Ctrl‟ and select on the three Pull Hole: Select the cylindrical face of the center hole
surfaces highlighted at right. Right click and select „Full Round‟ from and change the radius to .5in.
the pop-up menu to create a full round based on the three surfaces.
Save Part: Save the part a “Base.scdoc” in the Introduction Session folder.
Completed Section One : The base is now completed.
Workshop One (optional)
Using the image as reference, create a new part.
Use Sketch and Pull to make the model.
SpaceClaim Introduction document
This document provides the introduction to the tools and techniques and
using them to create 3D models, edit, assemble the different components
as a assembly and drafting the components on the drawing sheet.
Other SpaceClaim Tools
The above tools are the common once used in building a 3D model and editing a sketch and 2d models.
The more information on tools used for geometry cleaning, repairing, mid-surface extraction, weld simulation, beam creation and orientation
etc., are in below help website.

• www.SpaceClaim.com

• http://help.spaceclaim.com

• https://futurescape.ca/tutorial/
ANSYS SpaceClaim Tutorial
The below links provide Tutorial to understand SpaceClaim graphical user interface, tools methods and techniques in building the 3D models
and preparing them for the different analysis types.

It also provides basic knowledge on editing the models, repairing if the geometry is not in good condition, extract the mid-surface, simulate
weld etc.,

Solid Modeling With Ansys SpaceClaim - https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/solid-modeling-with-ansys-spaceclaim/

SpaceClaim Tutorial –

https://futurescape.ca/tutorial/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW3pAYdFEfs&list=RDCMUCAMyTkJwYHtkDxNG_ROCg_g&start_radio=1&t=87
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClj_iWd4eI10cDQpVLOyecA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEjWQfKLIGuEXPgmxfNWFJg/videos
ANSYS SpaceClaim Tutorial
SpaceClaim -- Basic Sketch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHZlwtnfR3w
Advanc3D Technologies - Spaceclaim –Blend - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXcIujRcaeY

Solid Modeling of an Oil Rig in Ansys SpaceClaim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p7nMtuyIpQ

ANSYS Spaceclaim Tutorials for Beginners -Solid Bracket Modeling Exercise 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW3pAYdFEfs
Creating and Analysing a Beam and Shell Bridge Model with ANSYS SpaceClaim and Mechanical - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3naQu46NgI

Intro to Shell-n-Beam Modeling in ANSYS SpaceClaim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dQ0M4rnv1g

3D Scan to 3D CAD using Spaceclaim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc2YiZFVWE4

Midsurface extraction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO-BtkN02hA

SpaceClaim Feature Demo - Clean Up Dirty Geometry from IGES and STEP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N41LZg4JxuU
Repairing complex geometry in SpaceClaim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EEuQ8bJYmw

Geometry disfeaturing, geometry repair and scripting with ANSYS SpaceClaim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7AnTxr9dpY
Repairing complex geometry in SpaceClaim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EEuQ8bJYmw
SpaceClaim – Repair - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKpQcZr9n88

SpaceClaim Simple Surface Design for Beginners - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhvudQpxlHQ

ANSYS SpaceClaim Tutorial
Sheet Metal Basics
Part1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v__HkemcHOE
Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE0zAl7OYnI

Space claim tutorial for copy-paste, Keyshot, Assembly tools, 3DMarkUP, Drafting, and Mechanisms
https://www.youtube.com/user/ganorevishal

Ansys Mechanical Tutorial- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClw7cz2nSoydQQO3nrM4IbA

Introduction to ANSYS Meshing
Meshing is an integral part of the computer-aided engineering simulation process. The mesh influences the accuracy, convergence and speed of
the solution. Furthermore, the time it takes to create and mesh a model is often a significant portion of the time it takes to get results from a CAE
solution. From easy, automatic meshing to a highly crafted mesh, ANSYS provides the ultimate solution. Once the best design is found, meshing
technologies from ANSYS provide the flexibility to produce meshes that range in complexity from pure hex to highly detailed hybrid; a user can put
the right mesh in the right place and ensure that a simulation will accurately validate the physical model.
Preprocessing Workflow Meshing Process in ANSYS Meshing :
What is Meshing?
Per Definition, A Mesh is a network that is formed of cells and points. Meshing is a part of the engineering simulation manner where complex geometries and
models are divided into simple elements that can be used as discrete local approximations of the larger domain. The Mesh can be resembled into any shape and
size depending upon the geometry and is used to resolve Partial Differential Equations.

Why Meshing?
In General, any continuous object which is considered for analysis has an infinite number of points, making it practically not possible to obtain a
finite number of equations and converge to a solution. Hence, the first step in Finite element Analysis is to perform the basic calculations for a
problem with Finite number of points and then interpolate the obtained results for the entire domain. The Finite element Method reduces the
number of nodes/points from infinite into a finite number with the help of discretization or meshing.
Each cell of the mesh represents an individual solution of the equation which, when combined for the entire network, results in a solution for the
complete mesh.
Structured and Unstructured Mesh
Based on the types of grids, the mesh can be classified into structured and unstructured mesh depending on the layout of the mesh

•Structured Mesh
Structured meshes are meshes with implicit (absolute) connectivity whose structure allows for easy identification of elements and nodes. In
General, the structured meshes have quadrilateral elements (2D) or hexahedral (3D) elements.
Unstructured Mesh
Unstructured meshes are meshes with general connectivity whose structure is arbitrary (random) and hence the connectivity between the
elements must be defined and stored. The unstructured element types have triangular elements (2D) or tetrahedral (3D) elements
How to decide the Element type for Meshing
The element type for meshing mainly depends on three factors. The following are discussed below
•Geometry Shape and size.
•Type of Analysis.
•Time Allotted for the project.
MESHING IN ANSYS
The First step in Working with the Mesh module is to open the
module by selecting the type of solver or the component from
the toolbox.
After Importing (the solver in project schematic page), We can
access the Mechanical module by double clicking on the Model.
MESHING IN ANSYS
ANSYS Meshing is launched within Workbench
–2ways:
MESHING IN ANSYS: Ansys Mechanical GUI
Toolbars

Graphics window

Structure Tree

Worksheet

Details view

Manage views Message window Mesh

Metrics

Section
Planes Entity Details Units Bar
Bar
MESHING IN ANSYS
Once the Mechanical module is open, the mesh settings can be accessed by clicking on the mesh from the project tree or by right clicking on the
mesh for applying the necessary settings

Three default sections

•Geometry
–Bodies
•Coordinate Systems
–Default global & user defined systems
•Mesh
–Meshing operations (controls &methods)
displayed in the order in which they are
inserted

In the tree
•Right clicking on any object
–launches a context sensitive menu
–Example: contains commands to generate,
preview, clear mesh etc.
MESHING IN ANSYS: Meshing Methods
High aspect ratio cells Cells refined around
(Inflation) near wall to small geometric
capture boundary layer details and complex
gradients flow
Why Multiple Methods?
•Choice can depend on;
–Physics
–Geometry
–Resources
•Mesh could require just one orca
combination of methods.
•Example –Typical mesh design
based on geometric, physics and
resource considerations.

Hex (3d) or
Quad (2d)
cells used to
mesh simple
regions
MESHING IN ANSYS: Meshing Methods
The Method can be inserted for the geometry from the Model tree outline by right clicking on Mesh → Insert → Method.

The Method of mesh selected plays a vital role in the accuracy and reliability of the analysis performed. The default method provided by
ANSYS generates a successful automated mesh for the imported model. The algorithm tends to use Hexahedral elements for the solid models
and Quad elements by default for surface models. If the algorithm finds that the model is unsweepable, then it uses tetrahedral elements as
default mesh. When we open the Method, the following appears in the details tab area.
MESHING IN ANSYS: Meshing Methods
Scope
The word ‘Scope’ in ANSYS is termed for the selection of a required component in a model
that is to be considered for the application of various Mesh Controls (Method, sizing, etc).
The scope consists of two sub categories, which are discussed below.

Scoping Method
The first and the foremost thing that is to be done for applying a ‘Method’ for the
mesh is to select the geometry. There are two scoping methods in the scope for
inserting a ‘Method’ namely, Geometry Selection and Named selection.

- The Geometry Selection tool is used to select a Geometry by the user as per the
requirement by using few tools like the body selection tool, the face selection tool or
the other selection tools.

- The Named Selection is a geometry selection tool which is used to select bodies,
faces, edges or vertices which should be predefined by the user before hand in the
model tree selection. The user can define a named selection by right clicking on
the Model → Insert → Named Selection.
MESHING IN ANSYS: Meshing Methods
This is the next important part in application of a ‘Method’ in mesh. It is used to define all the necessary types of Mesh methods and element orders.
The definition tab has three subcategories namely, suppressed, Method and the element order.

Suppressed
This setting is used to suppress and unsuppress the mesh provided for the model defined. By
toggling the default option from ‘No’ to ‘Yes’, the user can suppress the ‘Method’ whenever
necessary.
Method
This option helps in defining the type of mesh that is to be used for the model. Depending upon
the geometry type (Solid or Surface), the type of method that is to be applied to the model
changes. The Methods available for the solid components are discussed below.
Automatic Method Control
The Automatic method control is the default method in ANSYS for all types of components in
inserting a ‘Mesh method’. This type of method control uses sweeping for solid models and
quadrilateral element generation for surface models. In some cases where the bodies can’t be
swept, the method then uses the patch conforming tetrahedron for meshing (Tetrahedron Mesh
algorithm)
Tetrahedron Method Control
This method is selected for creating a tetrahedral mesh on the selected body. Whenever the method is selected as tetrahedrons for meshing, an
algorithm setting is displayed showing two sets of algorithms that are,

• Patch Conforming
• Patch Independent

Patch Conforming Algorithm - The Patch

Conforming Tetra mesh method uses a ‘Delaunay
tetra meshing algorithm’ with an advancing-front
point insertion technique used for mesh
refinement.

Patch Independent Algorithm - The Patch

Independent method uses a spatial subdivision
meshing algorithm. This algorithm performs
mesh refinement wherever necessary, but
maintains the mesh with larger element lengths Mesh for tetrahedral patch Mesh for patch
wherever possible. conforming algorithm Independent algorithm
Tetrahedron Method Control: Patch Conforming

Method & Algorithm Behavior

• Bottom up approach: Meshing process starts from edges, faces
and then volume
• All faces and their boundaries are respected (conformed to) and
meshed
• Good for high quality (clean) CAD geometries
CAD cleanup required for dirty geometry

• Sizing is defined by global and/or local controls

• Compatible with inflation

Access
Insert Method and set to Tetrahedrons
Additional drop down box for algorithm choice appears -Set
to Patch Conforming
Tetrahedron Method Control: Patch Independent

Method & Algorithm Behavior

• Top down approach: Volume mesh generated first and projected on to faces and
edges
• Faces, edges and vertices not necessarily conformed to
Controlled by tolerance and scoping of Named Selection, load or other object
• Good for gross de-featuring of poor quality (dirty) CAD geometries
• Method Details contain sizing controls
• Compatible with inflation

Access
• Insert Method and set to Tetrahedrons
Additional drop down box for algorithm choice appears -Set Patch Independent
Tetrahedrons Method: Algorithm Comparison
Patch Conforming: Patch
Patch Patch Conforming:
Geometry containing All Independent Default
Independent: Can Geometry containing Delaunay mesh
small details geometric detail is Octree Mesh approximate
ignore and defeature small details smooth growth rate
captured growth rate
geometry

Smooth
Transition option
creates Delaunay mesh
Surface Mesh Volume Mesh
Tetrahedrons Method: Control
Patch Conforming
• Sizing
Mesh sizing for the Patch Conforming algorithm is
defined by Global & Local Controls
Automatic refinement based on curvature and/or
proximity accessible in Global Controls

• Details of Global & Local Controls covered in separate

lectures
Choice of surface mesher algorithm in global controls

Proximity
Curvature
Tetrahedrons Method: Control
Patch Independent
Sizing
Sizing for the Patch Independent algorithm defined in
Patch Independent Details
Automatic curvature &proximity refinement option
Tetrahedrons Method: Control
Patch Independent
• Defeaturing Control
–Set Mesh Based Defeaturing On
–Set Defeaturing Tolerance
–Assign Named Selections to selectively preserve geometry

Named Selection assigned and

Defeaturing Tolerance
= 0.03m. Features > 0.03m
respected.

Defeaturing Tolerance
Off
Tetrahedrons Method: Application Examples
Patch Conforming Patch Independent
• Clean CAD, accurate surface mesh • Dirty CAD, defeatured surface mesh
Hex Dominant Method Control
In order to create a free Hex dominant Mesh, this control method is used. The Hex dominant method control is recommended for non sweepable
bodies. The sweepable bodies can be identified by right clicking from the tree outline on the Mesh → show → Sweepable bodies

Hex Meshing
• Reduced element count
Reduced runtime
• Elements aligned in direction of flow
Reduced numerical error

Methods Available
• Sweep
• Multi Zone
• Hex Dominant Initial Requirements
• Clean geometry
• May require geometric decomposition
Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing Sweep Path
Method Behavior
• Meshes source surface, sweeps
through to the target
Body must have topologically
identical faces on two ends, (which
act as source and target faces)
•Generates hex/wedge elements
•Side faces must be mappable Side Face (S)
•Only one source and one target
face is allowed
–Alternative ‘Thin’ sweep Target Face (S) Source Face
algorithm can have multiple
source and target faces

Access
•Insert Method and set to Sweep
Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing
Source/Target (Src/Trg Selection)
• Automatic
Source & target faces identified automatically
Not compatible with inflation
• Manual Source & Manual Source and Target
User selection (required for inflation)
Compatible with inflation
• Automatic Thin & Manual Thin
Multiple source and target faces
Not compatible with inflation

Sweep Direction Source Face Target Face

Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing

Src/Trg Selection Behavior

• Automatic selection requires that the application
find the Source and Target. Specifying both
Source & Target will accelerate meshing
Sweep Mesh No inflation

• Inflation
Must specify at least Source manually when
using Inflation & Sweep Method

2D inflation defined on source face from

boundary edges then swept through volume, source
must therefore be specified first

Sweep Mesh With inflation

Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing

Rotational Sweeping
• Sweep meshes can also be created by
sweeping a Source around an axis
• Example: Src/Trg Selection-Rotational
sweep for sector geometry

Rotational sweeping requires both Source

& Target to be selected
• For both rotational and axial
sweeping Source & Target faces are
color coded when selected

Manual Source & Target Selection

Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing

Src/Trg Selection: Automatic

Thin & Manual Thin
• Selects an alternate sweep
algorithm

• Advantages
Capable of sweeping multiple
Source & Targets
Can perform some automatic
defeaturing

• Disadvantages
For Multibody Parts only one
division across the sweep is allowed

Inflation & Sweep Bias not allowed Source Faces

Imprinted on Target
Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing
How to Identify Sweepable bodies
• ANSYS Meshing can identify sweepable bodies automatically

Rotational Sweep bodies are not identified

• Right click Mesh object in Outline and select Show > Sweepable Bodies

RMB on Mesh to find Sweepable bodies in

Geometry green color
sweepable bodies
Hex Dominant Method Control
Sweep Meshing
How to Ensure Bodies are Sweepable
• Bodies which will not allow sweeping can be decomposed into a number of topologically simpler sweepable bodies
• Decomposition can be performed in CAD/DM

Decomposed in CAD/DM
Unsweepable body
Sweepable!
Hex Dominant Method Control: MultiZone Meshing
Method Behavior
•Based on blocking approach used in ANSYSICEM CFD Hexa
•Automatically decomposes geometry into blocks
•Generates structured hex mesh where block topology
permits
–Remaining region (Free Mesh) filled with unstructured
Hexa Core or Tetra or Hexa Dominant mesh.
•Can select source & target faces automatically or manually
–Can have multiple source faces
•Compatible with 3Dinflation

Access
•Insert Method and set to Multizone

MultiZone Mesh
Hex Dominant Method Control: MultiZone Meshing
• Mapped Mesh Type -determines the shape of the elements used to fill
structured regions (the default is Hexa).
• Hexa -All hexahedral elements are generated
• Hexa/Prism -For swept regions, the surface mesh can
allow triangles for quality and transitioning
• Prism -All prism elements are generated
This option is sometimes useful if the source face mesh is being
shared with a tet mesh, as pyramids are not required to transition to the
tet mesh

• Surface Mesh Method –specifies method to create the

Surface mesh. Surface mesh method =Pave

Surface mesh method =Uniform
• Program Controlled -automatically uses a combination of Uniform and
Pave mesh methods depending on the mesh sizes set and face
properties
• Uniform -uses a recursive loop-splitting method which creates a highly
uniform mesh
• Pave -creates a good quality mesh on faces with high curvature, and
also when neighboring edges have a high aspect ratio
Hex Dominant Method Control: MultiZone Meshing
Example1 Example2
• Single body automatically decomposed into three blocks • Blend on central body, Multizone no longer able to
• Src/Trg Selection –Automatic create structured block
• Results in all hex mesh –Filled according to Free Mesh setting
• Equivalent to manually decomposing by slicing off upper and • Tetra, Hexa Core, Hexa Dominant
lower cylinders to produce three bodies and applying sweep • Can specify type of surface mesh using Mapped
methods Mesh Type (Hexa, Hexa/Prism, Prism)
Methods for 2D Meshing
• Patch Conforming Methods
Automatic Method (Quadrilateral Dominant) & Triangles

• Patch Independent Methods

Multizone Quad/Tri
Full Quad will be generated if "All Quad" is selected as Free Face Mesh Type
• Advanced size functions and local size controls are supported
2D Meshing Control &Inflation
Mapped Surface Meshes
• Fully mapped surface meshes and specified edge sizing/intervals can
be obtained by applying local controls

2D mesh with Inflation

• Boundary edges are inflated
• Support for global and local inflation controls
Meshing Multiple Bodies: Selective Meshing
What is Selective Meshing?

• Selectively picking bodies and meshing them incrementally

Why use Selective Meshing?

• Bodies can be meshed individually

• Mesh seeding from meshed bodies influences neighboring bodies (user has control)
• Automated meshing can be used at any time to mesh all remaining bodies
• When controls are added, only affected body meshes require remeshing
• Selective body updating
• Extensive mesh method interoperability
Meshing Multiple Bodies: Selective Meshing
Local meshing
• Mesh or clear meshes on individual bodies
• Subsequent bodies will use the attached face mesh
• The meshing results (cell types) will depend on the meshing order
• Adjust/add controls –able to remesh only affected body
• Select body(s) right click for context menu
Meshing Multiple Bodies: Selective Meshing
Recording Mesh Operations
• When using selective meshing the order of
meshing can be recorded for automated
future use
• Right click Mesh in the Outline or Context
Menu

• Worksheet is generated recording mesh

operations as ordered steps
• Named Selections are automatically created
for each meshed body for reference in the
Worksheet
Example; Meshing cylinder then block
Meshing Multiple Bodies: Selective Meshing
Selective Body Updating
• Remeshing only bodies that have changed
• Access option through Tools >Options
No: All geometry updated, all bodies
remeshed.
Associatively: Accommodates for
body topology change (add/delete) (slower)
Non-Associatively: Assumes no
topology change(faster)

• Example; Geometric change to block.

Global Mesh Controls
• Global mesh controls are used to make
global adjustment in the meshing
strategy, which includes sizing functions,
inflation, smoothing, defeaturing,
parameter inputs, assembly meshing
inputs, etc.

• Minimal inputs
o Automatically calculates global element
sizes based on the smallest geometric
entity
o Smart defaults are chosen based on
physics preference

• Makes global adjustments for required

level of mesh refinement

• Advanced Size Functions for resolving

regions with curvatures and proximity of Smart defaults !
surfaces
Global Mesh Controls Assembly Meshing
Physics Based Settings
• Physics and Solver Preferences • Activation of CutCell/Tetrahedrons
• Meshing
Global Mesh Sizing Controls
Patch Confirming Options
• Relevance and Relevance
• Activation of Advancing Front Method
Center
• Advanced Size Functions Patch Independent Options
• Smoothing and Transition • For validating topology Advanced
• Span Angle Center • Number of CPUs for Parallel Part Meshing
• Curvature Normal Angle • Shape Checking
• Proximity Accuracy and Cells • Element midside nodes Defeaturing
Across Gap • Pinch based
• Automatic Mesh Based Statistics
• Mesh statistics, Quality criteria
Inflation
• Inflation Option, Inflation
Algorithm
• Collision Avoidance
• Maximum Angle, Fillet Ratio,
Smoothing
Global Mesh Controls
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Advanced Sizing Functions
• Controls the growth and distribution of mesh in
important regions of high curvature or close proximity
of surfaces

• Five Options:
o Off. Unavailable for Assembly Meshing
o Proximity and Curvature
o Curvature
o Proximity
o Fixed

• When CutCell Meshing is active with ‘Proximity’ or

‘Proximity and Curvature’ Advanced Size Function
(ASF), Proximity Size Function Sources control is
displayed to specify the regions of proximity between
“Edges”, “Faces” or “Faces and Edges” in the
computation of Proximity ASF
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Advanced Sizing Functions

ASF: Off ASF: Curvature ASF: Proximity

• The edges are meshed with global • Determines the Edge and Face sizes based • Controls the mesh resolution on proximity
Element Size on Curvature Normal Angle regions in the model
• Then the edges are refined for curvature • Finer Curvature Normal Angle creates finer • Fits in specified number of elements in the
and 2D proximity surface mesh narrow gaps
• At the end, corresponding face and • Transition of cell size is defined by Growth • Higher Number of Cells Across Gap creates
volume mesh is generated Rate more refined surface mesh
• Transition of cell size is defined by • Transition of cell size is defined by Growth
Transition Rate
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Element Size
Element Size
• Element size used for the entire model
o This size will be used for meshing all edges, faces and bodies

• Default value based on Relevance and Initial Size Seed

o User can input required value as per geometry dimensions

Note:
Element size option available
when Advanced Size Function is
not used
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Min and Max Size
Min Size
• Minimum element size that the size function will generate
• Some element sizes may be smaller than this size depending on the edge length
Max Face Size
• Maximum face size that the size function will generate
• Not supported by CutCell meshing
Max Size
• Maximum element size that can be grown in the interior of volume mesh

Mouse Pointer serves to estimate

mesh sizes

Min size

Max Face size

Max size
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Growth Rate Growth Rate = 1.2 (Default)

Define the ratio between sizes of adjacent cells

• On surfaces and inside the volumes
Growth Rate = 1.1

Growth Rate = 1.3

Mesh size:
GR = 1.1 : 1,263,297 cells
GR = 1.2 : 587,026 cells
GR = 1.3 : 392,061 cells
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Transition
• Controls the rate at which elements grow
• Two level control for transition
o Slow (Default for CFD, Explicit), produces smooth transition
o Fast (Default for Mechanical and Electromagnetic), produces more abrupt transitions
• Not available for Cutcell meshing
• Hidden for sheet models, ignored for assemblies containing sheets, when
ASF is On

Fast Slow
Global Mesh Controls - Sizing : Span Angle Center
• Controls curvature based refinement for Edges
• Three options and corresponding span angle ranges are
o Coarse: 91° to 60°
o Medium: 75° to 24°
o Fine: 36° to 12°
• Not available for Cutcell meshing

Coarse Medium Fine

Global Mesh Controls - Inflation
Inflation
• Used to generate thin cells adjacent to boundaries
• Required for capture of wall adjacent boundary layers
o Resolve viscous boundary layer in CFD
o Resolve thin air gaps in Electromagnetic analysis
o Resolve high stress concentration regions in Structures
• Cells are created by ‘inflating’ from the surface mesh into the
volume (3d) or inflating from the boundary edge onto the face (2d)
• Options to control growth
Global Mesh Controls - Inflation: Automatic Inflation

Three options
– None
• Select this for manual inflation settings using local mesh controls

– Program Controlled
All the faces are selected for inflation except:
• Faces scoped to a Named Selection
• Faces with manual inflation defined
• Faces in contact regions
• Faces in symmetry
• Faces that belong to a part or body that has a mesh method defined that does not support 3D
inflation, such as sweep or hex-dominant
• Faces in sheet bodies

– All Faces in chosen Named Selection: can grow inflation layers from faces grouped in one named
selection
Global Mesh Controls - Inflation: Inflation Options
Global Mesh Controls - Inflation: Inflation Algorithms
• Two Algorithms
– Post
– Pre
• Patch independent meshes
(including Assembly) use Post
Post

• First Tet grows then Inflation process starts

• Tet mesh is undisturbed, if the inflation options are altered
• Default option for Patch Independent Tetrahedrons

Note: Preview Inflation is available

only with Pre Algorithm

Surface mesh is inflated first, then rest of the

volume mesh grows
Pre Default method for Patch Conforming Tetrahedrons
Global Mesh Controls - Inflation: Automatic Inflation example

Patch Conforming
Tets

MultiZone Cutcell
Global Mesh Controls - Inflation: Advanced Options
Collision Avoidance: Control to detect proximity regions and adjust the cells in the inflation layer.
• None
– Does not check for proximity regions
• Layer Compression (Default for Fluent)
– Compresses inflation layers in the proximity regions
– Maintains the given number of layers in the proximity regions
– May stair-step if needed (will give a warning)
• Stair Stepping (Default for CFX)
– Inflation layers are stair stepped in the proximity regions
– Removing layers locally in steps to avoid collisions as well as bad quality at sharp corners

When Cutcell meshing is used, both Layer Compression and Stair Steeping algorithms are used depending on
the geometry complexity.

Note:
Generates combination of Pyramids
and Tets to fill the stair step
Global Mesh Controls - Inflation: Collision Avoidance Example
Layer Compression Stair Stepping
Global Mesh Controls - Defeaturing
• Removes small geometry features meeting the tolerances using Pinch or/and Automatic Mesh
Based Defeaturing controls in order to improve the mesh quality.

• Automatic Mesh Based Defeaturing (AMBD) when it is ‘On’, features smaller than or equal to
the value of Defeaturing Tolerance are removed automatically.

Note: Defeaturing Tolerance can be set maximum upto Global Min Size/2. Use a high value for Global Min
Size and use Local Sizing controls for defining Local Min Sizes smaller than this value. Defeaturing will
respect local min sizes and will clean only those faces/bodies with no local control. This approach is
recommended over Virtual Topology.
Global Mesh Controls - Statistics
• Option to view the mesh quality metric
• Exhaustive list of quality metrics
• Orthogonal Quality mesh quality metrics
• Option to view the Mesh Metric chart
– Intuitive controls available under Mesh Metric Chart
– Various options to explore under the ‘Controls’
Local Mesh Controls Non-CutCell meshing local controls

Control the mesh locally

• Depends on the “Mesh Method” used

Local Mesh Controls are:

• Sizing- For Vertex, Edge, Face and Body
• Contact Sizing - For Edge and face
• Refinement- For Vertex, Edge and Face
• Face Meshing - For Mapped or Pave Meshing
• Match Control - For Edge and Face
• Pinch - For Vertex and Edge
• Inflation - For Edge and Face CutCell meshing local controls

Only Sizing and Inflation local controls are available for CutCell
meshing

Note:
The latest control added on a particular entity overrides any prior
controls
Local Mesh Controls: Sizing
Recommended for locally defining the mesh sizes

You can only scope sizing to one geometry entity type at a

time
• For example: you can apply sizing to a number of
edges or a number of faces, but not a mix of edges
and faces.

Four Types of Sizing option Entity/ Element Number of Body of Sphere of

• Element Size specifies average element edge length on Option Size Divisions Influence Influence
bodies, faces or edges
• Number of Divisions specifies number of elements on Vertices X Requires a
edge(s) Edges X X X Coordinate
• Body of Influence specifies average element size system for
within a body Faces X X
the sphere
• Sphere of Influence specifies average element size Bodies X X X
within the sphere
Note: Advanced Size Function in
Only Element Size type is available for Global settings should be
Sizing options vary depending on the entity type chosen
CutCell meshing disabled
Local Mesh Controls - Sizing: Edges
Sizing Type:
Element Size

Sizing Type:
Number of Divisions Edge meshed with Edge meshed with 10
constant element size of elements
60mm

Note:
The Curvature Normal Angle and/or the Growth Rate maybe not
displayed depending on the ASF used
Local Mesh Controls - Sizing: Edges
Bias Type and Bias Factor
Specify the grading scheme and factor
• Bias Type: grading of elements
towards one end, both ends, or the
center
• Bias Option:
o Bias Factor: is the ratio of the largest
element to the smallest element
o Smooth Transition: defined by Growth
Rate which is ratio of size of an
element with size of previous element.
(Growth Rate = Bias Factor^(1(n-1))
Local Mesh Controls - Sizing: Edges
Behavior
Soft: Sizing will be influenced by global sizing functions such as those based on proximity and/or curvature as well as
local mesh controls
Hard: Size control is strictly adhered to

Note
• Transition between hard edges (or any edge with bias) and adjacent edge and face meshes may be abrupt
• Hard edges or edges with bias will override Max Face Size and Max Size properties

Influenced by global No influence from

Proximity advanced size other global settings
function

Soft
Hard
Number of Division = 4 Number of Division = 4
Local Mesh Controls - Sizing: Faces & Body (volume)
Element Size
Defines the maximum element size on the face Element Size
Defines the maximum cell size on the
Body
Local Mesh Controls - Sizing: Sphere of Influence
On Vertex
– Available with or without Advanced Size Functions On Bodies
– Sets the average element size around the selected vertex – Available with or without Advanced Size Functions
– Inputs: – Constant element size is applied within the confines of a sphere
• Sphere radius and Element size – Use coordinate system to define the center of the Sphere
• Center of the sphere is defined by a model vertex
Local Mesh Controls - Sizing: Bodies of Influence
Bodies of influence (BOI)
– Lines, surfaces and solid bodies can be used to refine the mesh
– Accessible when ASF is On
– Not available for CutCell meshing Line BOIs

Note: The ‘Body of Influence’

Surface BOIs Solid itself will not be meshed
BOIs

Without BOIs
Local Mesh Controls - Face Meshing Control
Forces Mapped/Pave meshes on selected mappable surfaces
– Face Meshing with advanced control is supported for
• Sweep, Patch Conforming, Hexa Dominant
• Quad Dominant and Triangles
• MultiZone
• Uniform Quad/Tri and Uniform Quad
Note:
– RMB on Mesh and Show/Mappable Faces to display all mappable faces If Face Meshing fails, icon appears adjacent to corresponding
object in the Tree outline. The mesh will still be created but will
ignore this control.
Local Mesh Controls - Face Meshing Control: Internal No. of Divisions
• If face is defined by two loops, then the “Internal Number of Divisions” field is activated
o User can specify the number of divisions across the annular region
o Also useful for defining number of divisions along sweeping direction for Multizone when there are no side edges

Mapped face is swept to create

pure hex mesh
Local Mesh Controls - Face Meshing Control: Advanced Vertex options
Sweep / MultiZone (2D and 3D) support for Advanced Vertex options on Face meshing

Denoted
Denoted by by
S, CS,or
C Eor E
Local Mesh Controls - Match Control
• Define periodicity on faces (3D) or edges (2D)
• The two faces or edges should be topologically and geometrically the same
• A match control can only be assigned to one unique face/edge pair
• Match controls are not supported with Post Inflation Algorithm
• Match Control with Patch Independent tetrahedrons not supported yet
– Two types of match controls available:
• Cyclic and
• Arbitrary
– Not available for CutCell meshing Matching face
mesh

Note
If ‘Match Control’ fails, icon appears adjacent to corresponding object in
the outline Tree, however the mesh is created ignoring it
Local Mesh Controls - Match Control: Cyclic
• Define Rotational periodic

Full Model Periodic Model

Selected Faces
for Match control

Matching face
Model is symmetrical at 90° mesh
Local Mesh Controls - Pinch

• To improve quality Pinch control removes

small features (edges or narrow regions) at the
mesh level

• The Pinch feature is supported for the

following mesh methods:
o Patch Conforming Tetrahedrons
o Thin Solid Sweeps
o Hex Dominant meshing
o Quad Dominant Surface Meshing
o Triangles Surface meshing

– Not supported for CutCell meshing

Local Mesh Controls - Inflation
Used to generate prism layers (as explained in Global settings chapter) Inflation layer can be
applied to faces or bodies using respectively edges or faces as the boundary

Inflation layer grown on edge boundary (red)

Inflation layer grown on face boundary

(red)
ANSYS WORKBENCH GUI
 Navigate the Ansys Workbench UI

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/getting-started-with-ansys-mechanical/lessons/how-to-navigate-the-ansys-workbench-ui-
lesson-1/

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/getting-started-with-ansys-mechanical/lessons/how-to-navigate-the-ansys-mechanical-ui-
lesson-2/

 Importing Geometry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhEXTWYA0Gw

 Import Geometry using Ansys Workbench and Meshing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwtKs0YgT4g

 Mid surface extraction https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=midsurface+ansys

 Meshing in ANSYS Workbench

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LrjKsg2iI0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkMZxWWyWBQ

 How to Check Mesh Quality in Ansys Meshing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEHLgFHypOE

ASSIGNING MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES IN ANSYS
 Assigning Materials & their Properties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvWaF2Dbdg8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU2uJHbfA9w

APPLYING LOAD IN ANSYS

 Applying point loads on Beam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOWKZr-d4pk

 Apply a load on a shape with hole https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cUuxVasyEY

APPLYING BOUNDARY CONDITION IN ANSYS

 Boundary Conditions, Loads, and Solving the Model https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojYOgGrrCl8

 APPLICATION OF UDL CASTELLATED BEAM IN ANSYS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L790b91xoQg

STATIC STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN ANSYS
 Cantilever Beam under Point Tip Loading

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/a-non-slender-cantilever-beam-under-point-tip-loading/lessons/problem-specification-lesson-
1/

 Static structural analysis of a Bracket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clccZEmyO10

 Structural Analysis of One dimensional Framed Structure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d74pRfFizT4

 Static structural analysis of Plate with a hole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnpq5zzOS48
MODAL ANALYSIS
 Introduction Modal Analysis

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/modal-analysis/lessons/intro-to-modal-analysis-lesson-1/

 Free-free Modal and Pre-stressed Modal Analysis

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/modal-analysis/lessons/free-free-modal-and-pre-stressed-modal-analysis-lesson-5/

 Applications of Modal Analysis

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/modal-analysis/lessons/applications-of-modal-analysis-lesson-6/

 Modal Analysis Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_T98IhAVc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoteY7cdbnk
BUCKLING ANALYSIS
 Introduction Buckling Analysis

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/structural-instabilities/lessons/buckling-lesson-3/

 Buckling Analysis Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ga1_3XG27U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr7GMkNajf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yLNsZywlCc
THERMAL ANALYSIS
 Key Concepts in Thermal Conduction

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/intro-to-heat-transfer-in-fluids/lessons/key-concepts-in-thermal-conduction-lesson-4/

Thermal Conduction in a Heat Sink

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/intro-to-heat-transfer-in-fluids/lessons/simulation-examples-homeworks-and-
quiz/topic/thermal-conduction-in-a-heat-sink-homework/

Velocity and Thermal Boundary Layers

https://courses.ansys.com/index.php/courses/forced-convection-in-external-flows/lessons/velocity-and-thermal-boundary-layers-lesson-2/

Thermal Analysis Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJyW-hBreTo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4xsszjoxSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIHV2CMC8Ok
 Assign Material Properties
• After importing a model, the Stress Branch template was chosen, and the Stress Wizard appears
- “Verify Materials” is selected, and the callout shows how to change material properties in the pull-down menu

After “Verify Materials” is

selected, all of the parts
from the “Geometry”
branch are highlighted, and
the Details view shows how
to change the material.
 … Assign Material Properties
• Notice that the Details View allows the user to select a material from a pull-down menu
– The default material property is “Structural Steel” but can be changed
– By selecting “Import …” the user can select a material property file (XML format)

– Although a few material properties are supplied with Simulation, as with any other input data, the user should
use his/her own material data values.
… Assign Material Properties
• Material properties are listed, modified, imported or exported by accessing the “Data” tab
 … Assign Material Properties
• Materials may be individually selected for each part
– Note that the part name is obtained from the CAD model
• Multiple instances of the same part are differentiated by number
– Multiple parts can be highlighted and changed at once
• Use Shift-Left mouse button to highlight all items in range
• Use Ctrl-Left mouse button to individually add/remove selection

ANSYS License Availability

DesignSpace Entra
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x
 … Assign Material Properties
• Default settings for material properties can be changed in the “Tools menu > Options… > Simulation: Engineering
Data”
– The default material can be changed from “Structural Steel”
– Items to be always available in drop-down menu can be added
– New materials can be added from various locations
… Insert Loads & Supports
• After verifying and assigning materials, the “Insert Loads” item is selected from the Stress Wizard
– Structural (and thermal) loads are applied from the pull-down icon in the Context toolbar.

After “Insert Loads” is

selected, notice that the
“Environment” branch is
highlighted.
By highlighting the
“Environment” branch, the
Context toolbar and Details
view change.
… Insert Loads & Supports
• Loads and supports are applied on geometric entities
• There are two ways to accomplish this:
– Select geometry entity in Graphics Window first,
then select load or support from Context Toolbar

- Select load or support from Context Toolbar first, select

geometry entities in Graphics Window, then click on
“Apply” in Details View.
 … Insert Loads & Supports
• For some structural loads, direction is often needed:
– Selection is done in Details View of load
• If “Components” is chosen, enter X, Y, or Z Components of loading
• If “Vector” is chosen, select geometry and enter magnitude of loading
• Defaults can be set in “Tools > Options …
> Simulation: Miscellaneous
> Load Orientation Type”

– The World Coordinate System can be referenced

• Direction is shown with triad in Graphics Window
• World Coordinate System orientation and origin from CAD system
• For this situation, use “Define By: Components” in “Details” view.
• Then enter x, y, and/or z components for load
• (User-Defined Cartesian Coordinate Systems
may also be used, as will be discussed later)
 … Insert Loads & Supports
• After assigning the load on geometric entities, the user can enter additional data in the Details view, if necessary.
– Notice that, in the Outline Tree, the associated load branch symbol status will also change to ‘completed’
(checkmark)
… Insert Loads & Supports
– On the other hand, existing geometry can be referenced:
• In the “Details” view, select “Define By: Vector” to use existing geometry for vector orientation
• Three types of existing geometry can be used
– Normal to planar face or along axis of cylindrical face
– Along straight edge or normal to cylindrical edge
– Two vertices defining vector
• Click on “Direction” and select geometry used for
vector orientation. If vector is pointing in opposite
direction, use the arrows in the Graphics window to
toggle the direction. Click on “Apply” when done.
• Enter magnitude for loading in “Magnitude.”
… Solving the Model
• After verifying materials, applying loads and supports, and inserting results, the model is ready to be solved.
– Selection of “Solve” in the Stress Wizard produces a callout showing the user that the lightning bolt icon is used
to initiate a solution

Starting the solution will include automatically

meshing the model if it has not been done so
previously.
The solution may take a few minutes to a few
hours, depending on how large the model is and
the hardware used. A progress bar will be shown
to indicate roughly how long the solution will take.
The solution can also be stopped via the progress
bar.
Interpretation of Result
… Insert Results

– By selecting the Stress Branch template in the beginning,

– some results are already requested.
– However, the user can request other results, if needed.
• By selecting “Insert Results” in the Stress Wizard,
the callout shows how to add results

Note that the “Solution” branch is now highlighted.

Because the “Solution” branch is selected, the Context toolbar and Details
view changes.
Results, such as stress, strain, and deformation can be requested from the
pull-down icons on the Context toolbar. New result items will then
appear under the “Solution” branch.
… View Results

• After the solution is complete, the user can View Results

– The type of results is dependent on the analysis performed
– Contour, vector plots, and animations can be viewed

To view results, as the

callout shows, the
appropriate branch
needs to be selected.
 … View Report
• In preparation for generating the HTML report, one can add figures and comments from the Standard Toolbar
– Select a branch first, such as “Equivalent Stress”
– Then select the appropriate Standard Toolbar button:
Ansys Mechanical Reference
Ansys Meshing Guide
Thankyou..