Solid Mesh - Manual (Surface Mesh) PropertyManager

To mesh the selected part with solid elements, you first need to create a surface mesh of the part composed of triangle shell elements.

To open the Solid Mesh - Manual (Surface Mesh) PropertyManager:

  1. Create a solid mesh with the Manual method.
  2. In the third step of the process, you assign the settings for a surface mesh.

Surface Mesh

Domain Type

You set the Domain Type in the preceding step of the process of creating a solid mesh.

Cavity/Insert/Runner

Identifies the selected part as a cavity, insert, or runner.

Cooling Channel

Identifies the selected part as a cooling channel.

Mold

Identifies the selected part as a mold.
The program meshes all parts identified as cavities, inserts, or runners simultaneously in one operation. Cooling channels are meshed in a separate operation. Molds are also meshed separately from other domains.
Triangle Size Specifies the default edge length of the surface mesh over the active domain. A smaller triangle size creates more elements.
You define the units in SOLIDWORKS Plastics > Help > Unit-Metrics.
Mesh tolerance Available when you select Automatic for Local Refinement.

The minimum allowable element size for automatic refinement is given by the value of Triangle Size multiplied by the value of Mesh tolerance. Accepts a value between the range of 0.1 and 1.0.

Number of Triangles Predicts the total number of shell elements (for a surface mesh) for the given triangle size.
Number of Tetrahedrons Predicts the total number of solid tetrahedron elements (for a solid mesh) to fill the volume of the part based on the given triangle size.
Local Refinement Refines the mesh by reducing the triangle size at critical regions of the model. You can set a finer mesh for more detailed features. Refining the mesh in critical regions improves the accuracy of results.

None

Applies the mesh element size to the whole model without mesh refinement.

Assign Size

Refines the mesh on selected surfaces, edges, or points.

Delete the current mesh to be able to select geometric entities of the model to assign local mesh refinement.

Automatic

Refines the mesh automatically in regions with small features or high curvatures.
Gradation Sets the mesh transition between areas with refined mesh and the default mesh when you select Automatic for Local Refinement.

Move the slider to the left (Smooth) for a smoother mesh size transition with more elements. Move the slider to the right (Sharp) to decrease the number of elements for a more "uneven" transition.
Mesh Creates the mesh based on the current settings.
Delete Deletes the current mesh.

Deleting the mesh allows you to select surfaces, edges, or points on the model to apply mesh refinement (with Assign Size).
Available when you select Assign Size for Local Refinement. Assigns the local mesh refinement settings.
Surface, Edge, Point Filters the geometric entities on a model to apply mesh refinement.

For example, by selecting Surface, you can filter the surfaces in a model. In the graphics area, select a surface and click Assign. The selected surface with the mesh triangle size is listed in the PropertyManager. You can add multiple geometric entities where you want to refine the mesh.
Triangle Size Sets the triangle edge length for the local mesh refinement. You can assign different triangle sizes to selected entities.
Radius Available when you select Point. Creates a circle centered on the selected point and the given radius. Local mesh refinement applies to all points inside the circle.
Select Through Selects all entities cutting through the model.
Assign Assigns the given triangle size to the highlighted geometric entity, and adds the entity to the list.
Delete Deletes the selected geometric entity from the list.

After you create the surface mesh, click to go to the next step.

In the next step, you fill in the volume of the part with solid elements using the footprint of the surface mesh as a guide for the solid mesh formulation.