Page 14 - Moldex3d training Manual

2) Solid Mesh – Created using the surface mesh as a template. The BLM style of mesh will extrude
the surface by a number of layers defined by the user on the top and bottom of the part to create
the boundary elements. Then, a layer of tetra elements is created to connect the two boundary
layers.

2.1.4.3.1 Node Seeding
The Surface Mesh is defined by what is called Node Seeding, which is a spacing of the mesh element nodes
based on the part’s features. In Moldex3D, the Node Seeding is set by a parameter called Mesh Size,
which defines the distance between the nodes, which will be placed on the Feature Lines of the part.

Ideal Node Seeding

Ultimately, the Node Seeding will control the quality AND quantity of the solid mesh element, and
therefore it is important that the spacing is set optimally.
• Setting the Mesh Size too small increases the number of nodes on the part, which will increase
the resolution of the results from simulation, but it will also increase the total number of elements
required to define the geometry, meaning the computation time is going to be longer than
necessary.
o Too small of seeding will reduce the visibility of the feature lines. If the feature lines are
not visible when the entire model is in the view, the seeding is too small.
• If the Mesh Size is set too large, the element count will be low, meaning that simulation will be
more computationally efficient, but the results obtained will be lower in quality and in extreme
cases, the accuracy of simulation can be severely impacted.

13