Create the Finite Element Model

Define a finite element model (FEM) representation of your geometry that contains the finite element mesh and associated properties.

An FEM representation is an alternative representation of 1D, 2D, or 3D geometries. After you associate an FEM with a simulation, it is a good practice to examine its meshes. You can also modify the mesh specifications to control both the size and type of elements, replace the existing mesh, and create multiple meshes for use with the simulation.

The size of the elements in a mesh is generally determined by the dimensions of the model geometry and aims to balance the desired accuracy of the results against the time it takes to run the simulation. Typically, a smaller element size will yield more accurate results but will also result in an increased run time. In this example the mesh parameters were chosen and tested to provide accurate results in a short time. The element size is approximately 5% the size of the assembly geometry.

  1. From the Setup section of the Assistant, click Finite Element Model .
  2. Create and initialize a FEM manually by selecting Manual as the initialization method.
  3. From the Mesh type options, select Tetrahedron Mesh.
  4. Select Quadratic as the element order.
  5. Enter a mesh size of 2mm and a sag ratio of 0.7.
  6. Click OK.

    The FEM representation of your model appears in the model category of the tree.

Tip: You can do the following to show the mesh:
  1. Press F3 to display the tree if it is not visible.
  2. From the Assistant, click Mesh and select Update .

    If the Update Report dialog box appears, click Close.

  3. If the 3D area does not display the mesh, right-click Finite Element Model > Nodes and Elements in the tree, and click Hide/Show .

You will be asked to select faces from the model in subsequent steps, which is difficult when the mesh is displayed. Click Hide/Show a second time to hide the mesh. Hide/Show toggles the display off and on.