Interactive Tool for Healing of Geometric Models for Mesh Generation Applications

The availability of perfect or water tight CAD geometry is imperative for mesh generation purposes. Unfortunately, many CAD software vendors are not interested in solving geometry data exchange issues, resulting in poor IGES/STEP interface implementations. In practice, if the imported geometry turns out to be less than perfect, the end user is confronted with an unnecessarily complicated mesh generation process with limited end-user support and tools. The objective of the proposed effort is to create an interactive easy-to-use tool which will enable the analyst to obtain a closed geometric model from any CAD source suitable for mesh generation purposes. CFDRC is uniquely qualified for this project, i.e. we know the mesh generation requirements for CAD geometries, we have significant experience in geometry modeling and CAD interfaces, and we have access to an existing technology base. In Phase I, a stand-alone interactive tool for healing CAD geometry models will be developed. The main focus will be on IGES models. A collection of automated and interactive tools will be developed for determining closure of a model and to fix associated problems. In Phase II, this tool will be extended so that more classes of problems can be handled, and more interfaces to CAD systems and formats will be developed. The benefit of being able to heal not-so-perfect geometry models is significant, and will reduce the engineer's time necessary for mesh generation. This will lead to tremendous cost savings for all organizations involved in computer engineering simulations. CFDRC plans to create a stand-alone healing module, this module can be marketed as a separate application and can be integrated into all CFDRC's preprocessors. In addition, the module will be available to other interested CAE software vendors on an OEM basis.