Assigning mesh controls

In this section you will use the Mesh Controls dialog box to examine the techniques that Abaqus/CAE will use to mesh the parts and the shape of the elements that Abaqus/CAE will generate.

Context:

You cannot mesh an analytical rigid surface. As a result you cannot apply mesh controls to an analytical rigid surface; neither can you seed it or assign an element type to it. Thus, you need only concern yourself with the hinge pieces. Since the instances are dependent on the original part definition, you must assign mesh attributes (controls, type, and seed size) to each hinge piece individually. For convenience, you will begin with the hinge piece with the lubrication hole.

  1. Make the hinge piece with the hole current in the viewport. From the main menu bar, select MeshControls.
  2. Drag a square around the part to select all regions of the part, and click Done to indicate your selection is complete.

    The hinge piece appears red in the viewport to indicate that you have selected it, and Abaqus/CAE displays the Mesh Controls dialog box.

  3. In the dialog box, accept Hex as the default Element Shape selection.
  4. Select Sweep as the meshing technique that Abaqus/CAE will apply.
  5. Select Medial axis as the meshing algorithm.
  6. Click OK to assign the mesh controls and to close the dialog box.

    The entire hinge will appear in yellow, indicating that it will be meshed using the swept meshing technique.

  7. Repeat the above steps for the solid hinge piece.