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Lang, Laura M.

Publications and source records attributed to Lang, Laura M..

CrossLink: Advancements in Scalable Unstructured Mesh Generation [Slides]

Traditional mesh generation approaches are labor intensive and have limited robustness when applied to parametric design exploration and optimization of complex geometries. While automatic mesh generation approaches exist, they tend to generate tetrahedral or mixed-hybrid meshes which are generally unsuitable for physics applications with strong shock waves, thin boundary layers, and strong gradients. In addition, simulations sizes in the billions of cells are becoming more common with traditional mesh generation methods quickly reaching scalability limits. CrossLink offers a topology-based mesh generation approach with unstructured block-filling methods and a scalable mesh generation engine. In addition, CrossLink incorporates a python based API for seamless workflow integration and robust repeatability of the geometry handling and mesh generation process. This makes it ideal for parametric design study and optimization of complex geometries. Finally, future versions of CrossLink will offer a parametric mesh capability that optimizes a high-order mesh and enables reconstruction of the final mesh in memory by the physics solver.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

CrossLink: Meshing a 3D part from a STEP file [Slides]

This example shows how to use CrossLink to create a mesh for a 3D geometry part read in from a STEP file. A STEP file (Standard for the Exchange of Product data) is a common file format used for 3D modelling that can be written out from a CAD program (e.g., Creo Parametric). Being able to read and mesh STEP file geometries is essential for meshing parts from engineering models. Creating the mesh typically involves: (1) Importing the geometry; (2) Creating geometry groups; (3) Assigning curves and surfaces to the geometry groups; (4) Building a topology; (5) Applying geometric and mesh constraints; and (6) Generating the final mesh. Current issues with this process in CrossLink include: (1) The GUI does not display trimmed surfaces; (2) The user must manually create and assign geometry groups; and (3) The user must be aware of duplicate curves and surfaces from the CAD model.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗