batchmesher 11.0 user guide

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HyperWorks 11.0

BatchMesher User Guide



Al tai r Engineer ing Contact Information

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HyperWorks® 11.0 Release Notes

Trademark and Registered Trademark Acknowledgments Listed below are Altair

® HyperWorks

® applications. Copyright

© Altair Engineering Inc., All Rights Reserved for:

HyperMesh® 1990-2011; HyperCrash™ 2001-2011; OptiStruct

® 1996-2011; RADIOSS

® 1986-2011; HyperView

®

1999-2011; HyperView Player ® 2001-2011; HyperStudy

® 1999-2011; HyperGraph

® 1995-2011; MotionView

®1993-

2011; MotionSolve® 2002-2011; HyperForm

® 1998-2011; HyperXtrude

®1999-2011; Process Manager™ 2003-2011;

Templex™ 1990-2011; Data Manager™ 2005-2011; MediaView™ 1999-2011; BatchMesher™ 2003-2011;

TextView™ 1996-2011; HyperMath™ 2007-2011; ScriptView™ 2007-2011; Manufacturing Solutions™ 2005-2011;HyperWeld™ 2009-2011; HyperMold™ 2009-2011; solidThinking™ 1993-2011; solidThinking Inspired™ 2009-2011;Durability Director™ 2009-2011; Suspension Director™ 2009-2011; AcuSolve™ 1997-2011; and AcuConsole™2006-2011.

In addition to HyperWorks® trademarks noted above, GridWorks™, PBS™ Gridworks®, PBS™ Professional®,PBS™ and Portable Batch System® are trademarks of ALTAIR ENGINEERING INC., as is patent # 6,859,792. Allare protected under U.S. and international laws and treaties. All other marks are the property of their respectiveowners.

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BatchMesher User's Guide iAltair Engineering

Proprietary Inform ation of Altair Engineer ing

BatchMesher User's Guide

BatchMesher

...........................................................................................................................................2About BatchMesher

...........................................................................................................................................4To start BatchMesh on a PC:

...........................................................................................................................................5To start BatchMesh in UNIX:

...........................................................................................................................................6BatchMesher Setup

...........................................................................................................................................8Batch Mesh Tab

...........................................................................................................................................11Configurations Tab

...........................................................................................................................................13Run Status Tab

...........................................................................................................................................16User Procedures Tab

...........................................................................................................................................18BatchMesher Customization

...........................................................................................................................................20User-registered Procedures

...........................................................................................................................................22BatchMesher Parameter Editor

...........................................................................................................................................23Editing Parameter Files

..............................................................................................................................26Basic Options: Target Element Size, Import Model Tolerance, Extract Midsurface

..............................................................................................................................27Geometry Cleanup Options

..............................................................................................................................29Create Mesh Options

..............................................................................................................................31Special Component Selection Options

...........................................................................................................................................32Editing Criteria Files

...........................................................................................................................................34hw_batchmesh

...........................................................................................................................................37BatchMesher Error Codes

...........................................................................................................................................39Grid Computing with BatchMesher



Altair Engineering BatchMesher User's Guide 1


BatchMesher

Altair's BatchMesher is a tool that can perform geometry feature recognition, cleanup and automatic meshing

(in batch mode) for given CAD files. Consult the following topics for more details:

About BatchMesher

BatchMesher Setup

Batch Mesh Tab

Configurations Tab

Run Status Tab

User Procedures Tab

BatchMesher Customization

User-registered Procedures

BatchMesher Parameter Editor

hw_batchmesh tcl command

BatchMesher Error Codes

Grid Computing with BatchMesher



2 BatchMesher User's Guide Altair Engineering


About BatchMesher

BatchMesher is a tool that can perform geometry feature recognition, cleanup and automatic meshing (in

batch mode) for given CAD files. The BatchMesher can read a geometry file using the specified CAD

translator, and perform a variety of geometry c leanup operations to facilitate better mesh creation for the

selected element size and type. Cleanup operations include equivalencing free (red) edges, fixing smallsurfaces (relative to the element size), and detecting features such as beads, fillets, flanges etc.

BatchMesher also performs specified surface editing/defeaturing operations like removing of pinholes smaller

than a specified size, removing edge fillets, or adding layers of washer elements around holes.

The BatchMesher also uses criteria set by the user to determine the quality index (QI) of a model, uses this

QI rating to assess the potential value of each geometry cleanup and meshing tool, and then applies the

tools accordingly. QI optimized meshing and node placement optimization are performed to obtain the best

quality meshing. Final results are stored in a HyperMesh database file containing both the cleaned-up

geometry and the finite element mesh.

The required input (element size, quality requirements, etc.), are set within a parameter file and a criteria file.

The parameter file contains the average element size and type (quads or trias) as well as any special

handling of geometry features. The criteria file contains the target element quality requirements for tests likeJacobian, warpage, etc.

Input to BatchMesher

Geometry data file Any CAD format that can be imported into standard HyperMesh or a

HyperMesh database file can be used.

Parameter file Contains average element size, type of elements to be generated (quads or

trias), and various options for geometry cleanup.

Criteria file Contains all element quality requirements, such as Jacobian and warpage.You can export this file from the QI panel in HyperMesh after you update the

settings to your requirements.

Note: as of version 8.0, the Parameter file and Criteria file are both modified

by using the BatchMesher Parameter Editor .

Output from BatchMesher

The BatchMesher creates a unique directory for each run in the results directory where it stores output files.

The directory is named bm_date_001 (002), etc.

For each CAD input file:

Inputgeometryfilename_

criteriafilename_

paramfilename.hm

This HyperMesh file is the main output of the BatchMesher

and contains the geometry (as cleaned up by BatchMesher)

and the final mesh.





Inputgeometryfilename_

criteriafilename_

paramfilename_res.txt

This is a text file that reports the progress and status of the

BatchMesher at various steps in the batch meshing process.

It reports information such as the number of surfaces (total,

unmeshable, etc.), number of elements, percentage of trias,

quality index value, etc. COMPLETE at the end of this file

indicates successful completion of the BatchMesher

process.

For each run:

run_results.txt This is a text file that reports the progress and status of

the jobs (CAD files) submitted to the batch meshing

process. It reports number of jobs submitted, waiting in

the queue, complete etc. For completed jobs it provides

summary information such as time taken to complete the

job, number of surfaces in the model, number of elements

created etc.

RunView.log Maintains a log of submitted runs. This log file can be

loaded back into the Batchmesh GUI to review the results

at a later time

In addition to the files mentioned above, additional output files may be created due to customization

procedures performed at various stages of the batchmeshing process (pre-geometry load, post-batchmesh

etc).

How do I…

Start BatchMesher on a PC Start BatchMesher in UNIX





To start BatchMesh on a PC:

On a PC, the BatchMesher module can be accessed via the Start menu (Start=>programs=>Altair

HyperWorks=> BatchMesher), or from a command line by typing hw_batchmesh with the full path (

~altairhome\hm\batchmesh\hw_batchmesh ).

Examples:

C:\altair\hm\batchmesh\hw_batchmesh\hw_batchmesh

or

C:\altair\hm\batchmesh\hw_batchmesh\hw_batchmesh –nogui -cad_translator <name

of cad translator> -cad_model_dir <directory with path> -cad_model_ext *.<cad

model extension> -criteria_file <criteria file path> -param_file <param file

path>





To start BatchMesh in UNIX:

You can type the hw_batchmesh command to invoke the user interface or hw_batchmesh -nogui… to

perform the batch mesh without a user interface.





BatchMesher Setup

The following steps outline the setup of a batch mesh run.

1. Create a mesh type (Configuration tab): The mesh type consists of a Criteria File and a Parameter

File. In the Configurations tab, you can add a new mesh type by clicking:

(add new entry )

Specify a name, and select the criteria and parameter files (browse to select the criteria and parameter

files).

2. Choose the models to batch mesh: Click on the Batch Mesh tab in the interface and choose the

Input model directory –the directory containing your source files. Click the open-folder icon in the

Input model directory: text box, and browse to & select the desired directory (not the files themselves).

This sets your default directory when adding files. After choosing the directory, click:

(select files)

After the new browser window opens, select the files you want to mesh from the chosen directory, as

well as the desired CAD geometry type. Either click the desired files, or use the all or none buttons.

You can also click directory to browse to a new folder and select additional model files.

Once you have highlighted all of the desired model files, click the select button to close the browser and

add the files to the list in the batch mesh tab.

3. Set the mesh type for each model: The selected geometry files displayed in the table along with their

geometry type. The same geometry file can be added twice, allowing you to mesh the same file with

different mesh types. For each of the geometry files in the table, you choose the mesh type from a drop-

down list by clicking the cell for that file’s mesh type.

For ease of use, you can apply the same mesh type to all files above and/or below the current one by

right-clicking and choosing Propagate Up or Propagate Down. This also applies to a blank entry so

that you can remove the mesh type by propagating a blank mesh type.

4. Choose an Output directory : Near the bottom of the tab you can choose an optional directory where

the BatchMesher will save all results. If no output directory is specified, the results will be saved to the

current working (input) directory.

5. Start BatchMesher run: Click Submit .

6. Check run status: Go to the Run Status tab. All runs are listed, along with the status next to each one.

Each batch mesh run (which can contain multiple model files) creates a unique directory inside of the

output directory , where it stores its meshed results. This unique directory name displays on the RunStatus tab.

You can obtain the details of a highlighted job within a run that is "complete" or "working", or a summary

of the details of all of the jobs within a highlighted run that is "complete" or "working", by clicking on the

Details button.

You can also cancel or pause runs individually when a job is highlighted, or cancel or pause all of the

jobs in a run if the run is highlighted. Paused jobs can be restarted (resumed) immediately (Resume





Now ) or at a specified later time (Resume At:).

Note: A report is automatically generated for all jobs submitted from the BatchMesher user interface and

saved in the output directory as run_results.txt.

See also





Batch Mesh Tab

This tab or panel allows you to select the geometry files and their corresponding mesh types that you want

to mesh.

Geometry source directory: Enter the directory that contains the geometry/CAD files required

for batch meshing or click to use the file browser to pick a

directory. Note that you need to select the directory containing

the CAD files and not the CAD files themselves. You can

choose to select the CAD files in all the subfolders of the

selected directory.

Once the source directory is specified, click here to select the

individual files in the directory to be batch meshed. Use the Shift

and control (Ctrl) keys to select or deselect geometry files from

the list. Once your selection is complete, click Select to add the

highlighted files to the geometry list.





All files (of the chosen geometry file type) in the source directory

are selected by default. You can repeat the process to add more

files from different directories or to add the same files multiple

times to generate different sizes/types of mesh. You can also

choose a new directory and select the geometry file from that.

Allows you to add a new row to the geometry file list (to be batch

meshed). You can then select a new geometry file either by

selecting it from the source directory or by entering the complete

path of the geometry/CAD file.

Allows you to remove a row from the geometry file list (to be

batch meshed).

Result directory: Enter the directory where the BatchMesher result files should be

saved or click to use the file browser to pick a directory. The

results of the run are saved in a sub-directory namedbm_<date>_<run> within the result directory specified on the

Batch Mesh tab. For example, a first run on December 15, 2005

will be named bm_051215_001. The next run on the same day

would be bm_051215_002.

Once the setup is complete, click here to start the BatchMesher

run. It automatically takes you to the Run Status tab. You can

also choose to start your run at a later time (see next item

below).

Click here to start the BatchMesher run at a later, specified time.

The GUI automatically takes you to Run Status tab. The job

status becomes "Waiting" until the specified time, when the run

starts.

For each geometry file selected to be batch meshed, a Mesh Type can be chosen from a drop down list of

mesh types set in the Configurations tab. Left-click in the file’s Mesh Type cell to invoke the drop-down

list. If you wish to mesh all of the geometry files with the same mesh type, you can right-click in the Mesh

Type cell and choose either Propagate Up or Propagate Down to apply the same mesh type to all of the

preceding or following geometry files.

You can also customize the BatchMesher by creating user specific procedures and registering them in the

User Procedures tab. Once they are registered, these procedures can then be selected to be performed at

one of the three stages of the batch mesh process:

Pre-geometry load: Before the CAD geometry is imported





Pre-batch mesh: After the CAD geometry is imported but before any geometry

editing or meshing.

Post-batch mesh: After the batch mesh process is complete.

Select the user procedures from the drop down list of the corresponding cells. The drop down list is

generated from the procedures registered in the User Procedures tab.





Configurations Tab

This tab allows you to configure BatchMesher with the CAD translator and mesh types to be used. A mesh

type is a name given to a set composed of one criteria file and one parameter file.

Mesh Type A mesh type is a name given to a set including one criteria file and one

parameter file. several different mesh types are available by default:

8mm auto Average element size of 8 with one layer of washer elements

around holes whose width is determined by the batchmesher

8mm user Average element size of 8 with multiple layers of washer

elements around different size holes and width of individual

washer layers is specified by the user



















File browser that can be used to select a new criteria or parameter file.

Allows you to add a new mesh type. You can give the new mesh type a

name and browse for a criteria or parameter file. You can also enter the

complete path of these files in the corresponding fields.

Allows you to remove a mesh type from the list.

Invokes a BatchMesher Parameter Editor which allows you to set various

options available in the criteria file and parameter file. Note that you may

not be allowed to change the default parameter and criteria files from the

installation due to write permissions.





Run Status Tab

Once the run is initiated in BatchMesher, this tab allows you to obtain the status of the run. Each run is

listed as a sub-directory in a tree, along with the exact path of the results location. Each geometry file is

listed in the subdirectory along with its mesh type and the status of the run.

The Status can be posted as one of the following:

Working Batch meshing is currently being performed on this CAD model.

Pending This model is currently in the queue and has not started the BatchMesher process yet.

The models in the status can be canceled if necessary.

Waiting The job will begin automatically at a user-specified date and time.

Done The batch meshing process is complete, and results can be reviewed.

The following tasks can be performed in the Run Status tab:

LoadMesh Click here after highlighting/selecting the appropriate model row to review the mesh

generated by the BatchMesher. This function can only be performed on models that show

a status of Done (complete). This function invokes interactive HyperMesh with the final

batch meshed model. It also loads the appropriate criteria file in the QI panel so that

when the users check the quality of the model it represents their meshing requirements

set in the BatchMesher.





Details Click here after highlighting/selecting the appropriate model row to obtain more details on

the status of the BatchMesher job. This will display a results text file for the appropriate

model.

The details shown include:

Complete path of the CAD/Geometry model file(s).

Complete path of corresponding criteria and parameter files.

Element size.

A table containing the number of surfaces (faces, splines), elements, number of

surfaces that failed to mesh, number of surfaces with a poor quality mesh (bad

mesh), number of elements that failed quality index (QI) and the QI value of the

model. All of the above parameters are written at certain steps in the batch meshprocess.

Current step in the BatchMesher process (allows you to Refresh the details to

obtain the latest status).

Final status of the run. COMPLETE or ERROR at the end of the details indicates

either a successful completion or the errors that caused a failure.

Checking the Auto Refresh option will repeatedly update the details window with the latest

step details while the job is running.

Run Details Provides a summary of the status of all the jobs in the selected run, as well as:

The number of jobs completed, in process and waiting.

For completed jobs, it lists each one of them with statistics such as time requiredto complete that job, final number of faces/surfaces/elems, and the quality index.





Pause Click here to pause the jobs that are pending.

Resume Now Starts jobs that have been previously paused.

Resume At Allows you to set a specific date and time for selected, paused jobs to resume.

Cancel Highlight the intended run (file) and click Cancel to remove it from the list of runs the

BatchMesherwill perform. You can cancel runs that are Pending or Working .





User Procedures Tab

This tab allows you to customize the BatchMesher by registering user-specific topiclinks (TCL) in three

different stages (Pre-geometry load:, Pre-batch mesh:, and Post-batch mesh:) for each model/job and two

stages per run. A user procedure can be registered by giving a name and the corresponding tcl file that

contains the procedure (TCL topiclink).

Name A name given to the topiclink or user procedure. A nastran export

procedure which is run as a Post-batch mesh: operation is available bydefault.

File browser that can be used to select a new tcl file contains the procedure

or topiclink.

TCL Procedure Once a TCL file is loaded, a drop down list of all of the procedures in that

file is provided to choose the required procedure.

This allows you to add a new procedure.

Allows you to remove a procedure from the list.

Pre-geometry load: Select from drop down list of procedure names to choose to run as soon as

the BatchMesher is invoked and before loading the CAD geometry.





Pre-batch mesh: Select from drop down list of procedure names to choose to run as just

before the BatchMesher starts to mesh the loaded CAD geometry.

Post-batch mesh: Select from drop down list of procedure names to choose to run after the

BatchMesher complete the meshing and just before you exit the

BatchMesher.

Pre-run Use the drop-down list to pick a procedure name to be executed before the

first model/job starts.

Post-run Use the drop-down list to pick a procedure name to be executed after the

last model/job completes batchmeshing.





BatchMesher Customization

The BatchMesher can be customized, through TCL procedures, to meet your specific needs. See the User

Procedures Tab for more information. For example, the customization of BatchMesher could allow you to:

Export a mesh in solver format.

Generate the midsurface of a thin solid geometry.

Perform a surface offset to move the sheet geometry to a midplane location.

Name and number parts to user-specific requirements.

The BatchMesher has built in provisions to perform user-specified procedures at the following steps for each

job:

Pre-geometry load: This procedure will be run right after the batch meshing process begins,

before the selected model is imported.

Post-geometry load: This procedure will be run right after the selected geometry model is

imported (a midsurfacing procedure or surface offset can be performed

at this point).

Post-batch mesh: This procedure will be run after the batch mesh is complete. Examples

include creating solver-specific property cards, or exporting the mesh in

a solver format.

Customization can also be performed at the run level. This enables users to perform operations such as

reading all the batch-meshed parts into a single model, creating properties, materials etc, or creating

connections such as welds between the parts. Customization options at the run level can be set to execute

at two points in the batch mesh process:

Pre-run This procedure will be executed before the first model/job starts.

Post-run This procedure will be executed after the last model/job completes

batchmeshing.

Example post-mesh user procedure:

This example exports the generated mesh to a NASTRAN model. The NASTRAN output file created is

named Input_geometry_filename.dat .

# args from BatchMesh is input file name

proc nastranexport {args} { set modelName " batchmesh_nastranoutput";

if {[llength $args]>0} {

set modelName [lindex $args 0];

}

set template_dir [ hm_info -appinfo SPECIFIEDPATH TEMPLATES_DIR]

set template [file join $template_dir "feoutput" "nastran" "general"]





*feoutput "$template" ${modelName}.dat 1 1 1

}





User-registered Procedures

User-registered procedures can be invoked using two different methods.

The first method is via an additional Tcl script. This method is compatible with 7.0.

1. Create a temp file (e.g. /tmp/driver.tcl). The file should contain: set userproc(<event name>)

{"<tcl file name> " "<procedure name>"}

For example:

set userproc(POST_BATCHMESH) {"/usr/bm/userproc.tcl " "myproc"}

2. Add the following command line argument: -user_proc_file <Tcl file>

For example:

hw_batchmesh –nogui –cad_translator catia –criteria_file /data/mycriteria.

txt –param_file /data/myparams.txt –cad_model_dir /data/ -cad_model_ext

"model" -user_proc_file /tmp/driver.tcl

The second method does not require creating an additional Tcl script. Instead, all of the required parameters

are included in the -user_procedure option of the hw_batchmesh command:

-user_procedure <proc_type> Specifies the type of user-registered procedure. Valid

values for include:

PRE_GEOMETRY_LOAD

PRE_BATCHMESH

POST_BATCHMESH

<file_path> The complete path to the Tcl script file containing the

user specified <proc_name> procedure.

<proc_name> The name of user-registered procedure.

<args> The list of additional arguments to pass to

<proc_name>. This can be empty if no additional

arguments are needed. Quotes must be used if the list

contains more than one argument.

The -user_procedure option can be used multiple times in in one hw_batchmesh command, once for

each proc_type. For example:

hw_batchmesh –nogui –cad_translator catia –criteria_file /data/mycriteria.

criteria –param_file /data/myparams.param –cad_model /data/mymodel.model -

user_procedure PRE_GEOMETRY_LOAD /data/mytcl.tcl myprocedure "myarg1

myarg2" -user_procedure POST_BATCHMESH /data/NastranOutput.tcl

nastranexport

The following model-specific variables can also be used within user-registered procedures:

Variable Name Description





::hwbm::gVarArray(modelpath) Contains the complete path to the input CAD file.

::hmbm::gVarArray(modelname) Contains the name of the input CAD file.

::hmbm::gVarArray(cadtype) Contains the type of CAD file.

::hmbm::gVarArray(criterpath) Contains the complete path to the criteria input file.

::hmbm::gVarArray(critername) Contains the criteria input file name.

::hmbm::gVarArray(parampath) Contains the complete path to the parameter input file.

::hmbm::gVarArray(paramname) Contains the parameter input file name.

::hmbm::gVarArray(outpath) Contains the complete path to the directory with all

output files. It is the same directory as specified if the -

work_dir option is used.

::hmbm::gVarArray(resfilename) Contains the output result file name.

::hwbm::gVarArray(outmodelname) Contains the output CAD file name.

It is important to remember to save the model after running user procedures, as this is not done

automatically. For example:

hm_answernext "yes"

*writefile "$::hmbm::gVarArray(outmodelname)" 0





BatchMesher Parameter Editor

Criteria and parameter files allow users to set the appropriate parameters/options to obtain the desired mesh

from the Batchmesher. The Parameter and Criteria Editor is an easy-to-use interface that allows you to

create and modify parameter files as well as geometry cleanup criteria.

Access the editor in BatchMesher from the Configuration tab by clicking the entry of the configuration you

wish to modify and then clicking the edit file button.

HyperMesh uses the same editor for both types of file, but the editor’s layout changes depending on whether

you are working on a parameter file or a criteria file. See Editing Criteria Files and Editing Parameter Files

for details.





Editing Parameter Files

The criteria & parameter editor displays all parameters on one tab, with drop-down/expanding frames for each

class of parameters. In the image below, these sections are fully expanded.





For descriptions of the options in this editor window, consult the following topics:

Basic Options: Target Element Size, Import Model Tolerance, Extract Midsurface

Geometry Cleanup Options

Create Mesh Options

Special Component Selection Options





Basic Options: Target Element Size, Import Model Tolerance,Extract Midsurface

Target element size The desired element size for meshing and optimization.

Note: The element size set here should match the ideal value for

min length and max length criteria set in the criteria file.

If it doesn’t match, the BatchMesher may not be able to

produce meshes that adhere to the target quality

requirements

Import model tolerance The tolerance value to be used while importing the CAD model. Set

this to auto to let the Batchmesher choose the tolerance based on

the type and dimensions of the model imported.

Extract midsurface Turn on this option if your model uses thin solid geometry to

represent sheet metal parts, and you want Batchmesher to detectsuch parts and create midsurface geometry. The resulting midsurface

geometry will be batch meshed, while solid geometry will be ignored.

Batchmesher generates midsurface geometry by offsetting one of the

sides of the solid. Thus, this functionality is only appropriate for

stamped parts—not for machined or molded parts or castings.

When active, this option enables another one: sheet metal only .

Activating this second checkbox enables several more parameters

specific to sheet metal midsurface extractions:

Maximum thin solid thickness to width ratio: This is the

maximum ratio between the approximate thickness of thethin solid part (shortest dimension) and its approximate width

(2nd shortest dimension). This parameter is used to limit the

midsurface extraction to parts for which the thickness is

clearly smaller than the length and width

Maximum thin solid thickness: Midsurface extraction

ignores thin solids with thickness less than this value.

Minimum feature angle between the solid’s edge and its

faces: The minimum angle used to distinguish top and

bottom faces of a thin solid from its sides. Angles less than

this will be treated as if they were flat for purposes of

midsurface extraction.





Geometry Cleanup Options

Geometry Cleanup allows the Batchmesher to perform a variety of geometry feature recognition and

preparation tasks. This is one of the main functions of Batchmesher and should be turned on by default. You

can choose to turn off this option if you have already performed manual geometry cleanup and only wish to

mesh the part.

You can turn on/ off cleanup of individual features such as holes, fillets etc. The individual options available in

geometry cleanup are:

surf hole recognition When this option is turned on, you can distinguish holes of different

sizes and treat them appropriately. You can add radius ranges in the

table and choose one of the following:

Remove the holes

Maintain a node at center (mark)

Add a tag on one of the nodes of the hole

Force a minimum number of nodes around the holes (for finer

mesh)

Add one or two layers of washers to be created

Specify width of the washer as a constant value or a scale of

the hole’s radius, or let Batchmesher determine the width

Set higher priority to one range of radii over others. For

example, if you wish to ensure all bolt holes (radius 10-15)

have correct washers but other holes aren’t critical, holes

with radii 10-15 will receive higher priority than others. This

ensures that if two holes close to each other in the model

have overlapping/conflicting washers, the hole with higher

priority gets the washer while the other does not.

use file for holes Sometimes certain holes need special treatment. This option allows

users to provide a file with X, Y, Z locations of these special holes.

The Batchmesher compares these locations to the holes in the job’s

models, and prioritizes the holes that match. All the options for

surface hole treatment are available for these holes.

solid hole recognition This option is valid for parts that form an enclosed volume. The

cylindrical surfaces that form holes in these solids are recognized

and treated as follows:

Remove the holes

Maintain node at center (mark)

Add tag on one of the nodes of the hole

Force a minimum number of nodes around the holes





surface fille t

recognition

When this option is turned on fillet surfaces are recognized to be able

to perform on or more of the following options:

Prevent the main (long) edges of the fillets from being

suppressed and also prevent the nodes of those edges from

moving while fixing element quality

Specify the number of elements across the width of the fillets

for given fillet radii

Specify the chordal deviation to be achieved while meshing

flange recognition This option allows users to recognize geometry that represent

flanges on sheet metal parts. Users can specify the minimum

number of elements to be created along the width of the flange, and

provide the minimum and maximum width of the flanges in their

design process to recognize flanges correctly.

suppress beads Turns on bead recognition and provides the option to suppress anybeads with heights less than a specified value.

preserve rounded bead

midline

Enforces node placement along the midline of a rounded bead.

suppress flanged holes When active, holes with small downward flanges will be recognized

and those whose height is less than the specified value can be

eliminated.

edge fillets This option allows users to remove any fillets/rounded edges located

on free edges and having radii below a specified value.

remove logos Small geometric features with specified size that represent company

logos can be removed with this option.





Create Mesh Options

This option allows the Batchmesher to generate mesh on the cleaned-up model geometry. This is one of the

main functions of Batchmesher and should be turned on by default. You can choose to turn off this option if

you only want to perform geometry feature recognition and cleanup, and will mesh the model manually later.

When this option is turned on the following parameters need to be set:

element type Type of elements to be created – mixed, quad or tria.

mesh flow:align Produces a more orthogonal quad dominated mesh.

mesh flow:size Enforces the global mesh element size with minimal min/max

element size variation.

element order Choose whether to create First or second order elements.

place elements in Newly created elements can be placed in either the currentcomponent or original surfaces’ component.

optimized smoothing After the surfaces are appropriately meshed, the nodes are optimized

to improve element quality while maintaining geometry features. the

smoothing options available are:

None (no smoothing).

Smooth only nodes that are within surfaces. The nodes on

the edges of the surfaces are not moved.

Smooth nodes along edges. This option also smoothes

nodes within a surface. Nodes on the edges of surfaces are

allowed to move along the edge to improve element quality.

Smooth nodes across edges. This option also smoothes

nodes within a surface. Nodes on the edges of surfaces are

allowed to move along the edge, and across the edge to the

neighboring surface if needed, to improve element quality

correct features: move

across shared edges,

max dist

Allows the nodes to move a certain distance across or away from the

geometry shared edge by less than the predefined distance

correct features: move

across free edges,max

dist

Allows the nodes to move a certain distance across or away from the

geometry free edge by less than the predefined distance

correct warped

elements: offset nodes

from surfs, max dist

Allows the nodes to move off the surface to meet the warpage criteria

defined in the criteria file. The distance specified is the max distance

the nodes can move off the surface.

correct warped Allows quads to be split into trias to meet certain element criteria as





elements: divide quads

into trias

defined in the criteria file.

feature angle The minimum angle to be maintained (rather than flattened) while

performing element cleanup.

folding angle Elements whose angle exceeds this value are considered folded over,

and Batchmesher attempts to clean them up.





Special Component Selection Options

This option is used to handle two types of situations:

1. When the model contains multiple parts of which not all are to be batch meshed.

In that situation the names of the components that must be exempt from geometry cleanup should belisted, with this option turned on. The Batchmesher will still mesh those components but will not perform

any geometry cleanup before meshing. The remaining components that are not specially listed will be

batch meshed with the normal process, including geometry cleanup.

2. When a user prefers to mesh his parts with multiple element sizes but still wants to maintain the

transition at the common edges of the different sizes.

In this case users should batchmesh one component with one parameter file, with this option turned on.

Then, they should batchmesh the other component with a second mesh type, again with this option

turned on.

For example: imagine you have a model in which you have two components— front_10 and rear_20 —which

share common surface edges, and you intend to mesh front_10 with element size 10 and rear_20 with

element size 20. You can accomplish this by performing these steps:

1. First create two sets of parameter/criteria files:

One with target element size of 10 and the appropriate parameters. In this parameter file turn on the

special component selection option Mesh selected components while maintaining connectivity

to external mesh, and list front_10 in your component list.

A second file with target element size of 20 and the appropriate parameters. Turn on the same

special component selection option in this second parameter file, and list rear_20 in the

component list.

2. Secondly, create a mesh type (name it varyingsize) and assign the first set of criteria and parameter

files. Create a second mesh type with the same name (varyingsize) and assign the second set of criteria and parameter files.

3. Third, choose the geometry file to be batch meshed, assign it the varyingsize mesh type, and submit

the job.

This will mesh front_10 first with the first mesh type, and then take the results of this and mesh rear_20

with the second mesh type, while maintaining connectivity with the mesh created on front_10 by the first

run.





Editing Criteria Files

This window allows you to load and save Quality Index criteria files, as well as view and modify their

contents.

Note this editor is the same feature found in HyperMesh on the 2D page, quality index panel page 3,edit criteria… button.

The editor is a completely separate window from the rest of the HyperMesh environment, floating above the

rest of the interface.

The active criteria file’s details display in a table format

Use the file menu inside the criteria file editor window to:

load a different criteria file

save changes to the current criteria file

save the current settings as a new criteria file

exit (close) the editor

The criteria file editor organizes quality criteria in a table format, with each check displayed in a vertical list

and the controls and values associated with it listed to its left.





You can edit each of the numerical values displayed in the editor. You can also choose whether or not to

use each check for element quality criteria by checking or clearing the checkboxes for each quality check

listed.

Click advanced criteria table to access more settings for each check, including the different quality levels

("good", "pass", "fail", etc.)

Finally, you can choose different solvers’ calculation methods for some of the checks such as aspect ratio

or warpage, simply by picking the desired solvers from the list boxes. Note, however, that in order to use

more than one solver’s methods, you must select individual methods from the list box on the checks line

of the table. Different solvers’ methods are described in the topic How Element Quality is Calculated.

Use the command buttons at the bottom of the window when finished editing:

Click Apply to make HyperMesh start using the current criteria settings (including any changes that

you have made).

Click OK to make HyperMesh start using the current settings and close the editor.

Click Cancel to close the editor, discarding any changes you made to the criteria.

Element Check Settings window

quality index panel





hw_batchmesh

The hw_batchmesh program provides an interface for the HyperMesh BatchMesher features. You can call

this program directly in graphical user interface mode, or in batch mode using the –nogui option.

Syntax hw_batchmesh arguments

Arguments -cad_translator <type> Specifies the CAD file type. Legal values for

"type" include: ug | catia | iges | hm | hma |

proe | step.

-criteria_file <file_path> Complete path to the criteria input file.

-param_file <file_path> Complete path to the parameter input file.

-cad_model_file <file_path> Complete path to a single CAD input file.

-cad_model_dir <dir_path> Complete path to a directory where files of

the given CAD type exist.

-cad_model_ext <file_ext> File extension to use when scanning the

cad_model_dir for CAD input files.

-recurse OPTIONAL - The boolean flag that specifies

to get geometry files from sub-directories of

the given cad_model_dir. Default is false.

-run_tcl_file <file_path> OPTIONAL - The tcl file with procedure

specified in run_tcl_proc.

NOTE: If run_tcl_file option is given then all

other options except run_tcl_proc are

ignored. This option will invoke tcl procedure

specified in run_tcl_proc option.

-run_tcl_proc <proc_name> OPTIONAL - The name of tcl procedure from

file specified in run_tcl_file option.

NOTE: The run_tcl_proc option is required if

run_tcl_file option is selected.

-user_proc_file <file_path> OPTIONAL - The tcl file with set of command to specifying user-registred

procedures. This option is deprecated and

not recommended for new development. The

user_procedure option may be used for

user-registered procedures invoking.

See User-registered Procedures.





-user_procedure <proce_type>

<file_path> <proc_name>

<args>

OPTIONAL – List of parameters:

<proc_type> - Specifies the type of user-

registered procedure. Legal values for

"proc_type " include:

PRE_GEOMETRY_LOAD |PRE_BATCHMESH |

POST_BATCHMESH.

<file_path> - Complete path to tcl script file

with user specified procedure.

<proc_name> - The name of user-registered

procedure.

<args> - The list of arguments for user-

registered procedure. Can be empty. Use

back quotes if list contains more then one

argument.

The user_procedure option can be

repeatedly used in one hw_batchmesh

command. (one time for each proc_type).

Also see User-registered Procedures.

-work_dir <file_path> OPTIONAL - The directory where the

BatchMesher will run. If not specified, the

current working directory is selected.

-nogui OPTIONAL - If not specified, the user

interface of the BatchMesher is launched.

-help OPTIONAL - Display usage information.

Returns 0 on success, "other" on failure.

Examples hw_batchmesh –nogui –cad_translator catia –criteria_file /data/mycriteria.txt –param_file /data/myparams.txt –cad_model_file /data/fender.model

Runs the BatchMesher (without any user interface) on the CATIA geometry in file/

data/fender.model using specified parameter and criteria files.

hw_batchmesh –nogui –cad_translator catia –criteria_file /data/mycriteria.txt –param_file /data/myparams.txt –cad_model_dir /data/ -cad_model_ext "model"

Runs the BatchMesher (without any user interface) on all the CATIA geometry in files

with the extension .model in the /data/ directory using specified parameter and

criteria files.

hw_batchmesh





Invokes the BatchMesher user interface where you can set up the required entries

interactively.

hw_batchmesh –nogui –cad_translator iges –criteria_file /data/mycriteria.txt –param_file /data/myparams.txt –

cad_model_dir /data/ -cad_model_ext igs –recurse true

Runs the BatchMesher (without any user interface) on all the IGES geometry in files

with the extension .igs in the /data/ directory (and all of the subdirectories inside

of it) using the specified parameter and criteria files.

Comments The –cad_model_file option cannot be used with the –cad_model_dir

and -cad_model_ext options.

The –cad_model_dir and -cad_model_ext options must be used

together.





BatchMesher Error Codes

The following error codes may be encountered in BatchMesher:

Code Description

101 Wrong count of arguments for the hw_batchmesh script. Used only in the command line.

102 Missing major arguments for hw_batchmesh script. Used only in the command line.

103 The specified output directory does not exist. (See –work_dir option in hw_batchmesh

hw_batchmesh). Used only in the command line.

104 Undefined major environment variable.

105 The specified input directory contains no model files (see -cad_model_dir in

hw_batchmeshhw_batchmesh). Used only in the command line.

106 The custom pre/post-run tcl script contains an error.

107 At least three critical errors occurred during the meshing of one model.

111 HyperMesh executable file (hmopengl) is in the wrong path or inaccessible.

112 Wrong input geometry file path or file inaccessible during running hw_batchmesh script.

113 Wrong criteria file path or file inaccessible during running hw_batchmesh script.

114 Wrong parameters file path or file inaccessible during running hw_batchmesh script.

121 Either the time_limit.txt or result (*_res.txt ) file was not created after the specified timeout

(10 minutes by default).

132 Result file (*_res.txt ) not found.

133 Error while reading the time_limit.txt file.

134 Abnormal termination of HyperMesh (hmopengl) process (possibly crashed).

135 The HyperMesh (hmopengl) process is frozen (possibly waiting for user input).

141 Wrong input geometry file path or file inaccessible from HyperMesh (hmopengl) process.

142 Wrong criteria file path or file inaccessible from HyperMesh (hmopengl) process.

143 Wrong parameters file path or file inaccessible from HyperMesh (hmopengl) process.





144 Error in HyperMesh geometry file or wrong file (see *readfile command)

145 Error while importing of geometry file, or wrong file (see *feinput command)

146 Error reading the criteria file (see *readqualitycriteria command)

147 Error while running hw_batchmesh command. (See hw_batchmesh command and

required arguments.)

148 Custom (Pre-Geom, Pre-Mesh, Post-Mesh) script error.

151 Licensing error (the feature you are trying to access is not supported by your license).





Grid Computing with BatchMesher

BatchMesher supports grid-based computing; the default grid is "PBS Pro".

The "Grid" option is disabled by default in the BatchMesher’s base configuration (loaded from the

hw_batchmesh.cfg file). To enable BatchMesher grid computing, select Load Config from the File menuand load the file hw_batchmesh_grid.cfg . This file is installed in the path:

InstallationRootPath/altair/hwX.X/hm/batchmesh (for UNIX), or

InstallationRootPath\altair\hwX.X\hm\batchmesh (for Windows)

Where "X.X" is a number representing your HyperWorks version number (e.g. 7.1, 8.0, etc).

After loading hw_batchmesh_grid.cfg , the Grid option displays alongside local in the File menu’s Run

Options sub-menu. Once this option is activated, it will remain even if you load one or more subsequent

different configuration files.

To use the Grid option, you also need to modify/configure three default scripts: qsub.tcl , qstat.tcl , and qdel.

tcl (all of which can be found in the same directory mentioned above).

The exact script configuration depends on the grid system you use, and requires detailed knowledge of your

current grid system. The three default scripts (qsub.tcl, qstat.tcl, qdel.tcl ) were created for use with Unix

PBS Pro clusters and will work without modification if your cluster configuration is similar to the default

configuration.

These scripts are described below:

Qsub.tcl

This script creates a node-side script and submits the job to the computing grid.

Format: qsub. t cl - bat ch_ar gs { BATCHARGS} - wor k_di r WORKDI R

BATCHARGS is a command line for one batchmesh job contained in curly

braces. This line is created by BMGUI, and has to be written to the node-side

script).

WORKDIR is the path for all result files.

Returns: If an error is encountered at job submission, this script returns the word "error".

Otherwise, it returns the unique JobID for the submitted job.

Example: Command: qsub. t c l - bat ch_a rgs { / homes/ xser ve1c/ u/ user name/hw8. 0/ al t ai r / s cr i pt s / hw_bat c hmes h - nogui - c ad_t r ans l at or h m -

c r i t er i a_f i l e / homes / x ser v e1c / u/ us er name/ Conf i gs / nv h10.c r i t er i a - par am_ f i l e / homes / xser ve1c/ u/ user name/ Conf i gs / nvh10.par am - cad_mode l _ f i l e / homes/ xser ve1c / u / user name/ Mode l s /mode l . hm - nobg } - wor k_d i r / homes/ xser ve1c/ u / user name/Bat chmeshResul t s/ bm_060209_001/





Return: server1.1234

Qstat.tcl

This script gets status information for jobs with specified JobIDs

Format: qs t at . t c l J OBI Dl i s t

Where JOBIDlist is list of unique JobID’s for submitted jobs.

Returns: A lis t of JobId’s paired with Status mnemonics:

"R" – job is running

"Q" – job is queued, eligible to run

"E" – job is exit ing after having run

"W" – job is waiting for idle resource

"U" – status undefined (if status not one of "R", "Q", "E" or "W")

"none" – information about job with JOBID was not found on GRID server.

Example: Command: qst a t . t c l 1234 1235 1236 1239

Return:

1234 none

1235 R

1236 R

1239 Q

Qdel.tcl

This script terminates jobs with specified JobID's.

Format: qdel . t c l J OBI Dl i s t

Where JOBIDlist is a list of JobIDs for the submitted jobs

Returns: 0 – if the jobs terminated without errors,

or



"none" – if jobs can not be terminated (or termination error)

Example: Command: qdel . t c l 1236 1248

Return: 0

batchmesher 11.0 user guide

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