Connect close proximity, overlapping and intersecting parts.
Input assemblies can have intersecting/partial intersecting parts, overlapping parts,
or close proximity parts.
Use the fuse tool to connect close proximity, overlapping, and intersecting
parts.
Open the Fuse tool by clicking Mesh > Fuse from themenu bar.
Use the Source entities selector to select source entities.
Source entities will move to the target.
Use the Target entities selector to select target entities.
Target entities will not move.
Decide whether to perform Open Shell or Close Shell fusing.
The fuse algorithm treats open shells (not closed input) and closed shells
(water tight shells) differently.
Define additional Open Shell and Close Shell fusing options accordingly.
Options vary based on the fusing type selected.
Click Fuse to start the fuse operation.
Open and Close Shell Fusing Options
The following tables list options and actions for the Mesh > Fuse dialog box.
Open Shell Fusing
Option
Action
Proximity Search Threshold
Type the maximum search distance to find proximity elements between
source and target into this field. Fusing will be performed between
them.
Note: You are not required to enter a precise distance, but it
is recommended that you do not define too big of a value compared to
the average distance between the source and target in order to avoid
performance issues.
Perform Remesh
Select this checkbox to remesh elements near the connection based on
the user-defined parameters.
Triangle element inputs of the first
order will be remeshed. Quad element inputs will be remeshed with
mixer elements.
Feature Angle
Type the feature angle for the remeshed elements to be captured into
this field.
Connect Source Free Edge Only
Select this checkbox to connect only the free edges within the
user-defined proximity threshold.
Fusing Direction
Select a direction to which the source will be projected to the
target:
Along Source Normal: Choose this option
to project source elements to the target based on the source
element normal or the shortest distance direction from the
source.
Along Source Edge Tangent: Choose this
option to project proximity source elements in a tangential
direction to the source. Tangency is only calculated for free
edges. For other inputs, it will project to the target based on
shortest distance direction from source.
Create Patch at Connection
Select this checkbox to create new patch elements between source and
target. If this option is unchecked, source element nodes will be
projected and stitched to the target.
Remove Redundant Patches from Target
Select this checkbox to remove redundant patches after fusing is
performed that are within the user-defined patch maximum width factor.
The value of the maximum width factor is calculated by multiplying the
factor with the proximity search threshold.
Snap to Features
Select this checkbox to fuse source elements to target elements if
the features fall within the user-defined feature snapping tolerance
factor. The value of the snapping tolerance is calculated by multiplying
the factor with the proximity search threshold.
This feature includes
free edge, non-manifold edges (t-connection / x-connection), and
features based on the feature angle defined in
preferences.
Close Shell Fusing
Option
Action
Proximity Search Threshold
Type the maximum search distance to find proximity elements between
source and target into this field. Fusing will be performed between
them.
Note: You are not required to enter a precise distance, but it
is recommended that you do not define too big of a value compared to
the average distance between the source and target in order to avoid
performance issues.
Keep Interface
Select this checkbox to keep common shells between source and target
as they are. Uncheck to remove common shells. Figure 1. Keep Interface Enabled Figure 2. Keep Interface Disabled
Maximum Search Angle
Type the maximum angle value that is used to detect close proximity
between the source and target into this field.
Fusing Direction
Select a direction to which the source will be projected to the
target:
Along Source Normal: Choose this option
to project source elements to the target based on the source
element normal or the shortest distance direction from the
source.
Along Source Edge Tangent: Choose this
option to project proximity source elements in a tangential
direction to the source. Tangency is only calculated for free
edges. For other inputs, it will project to the target based on
shortest distance direction from source.
Remove Redundant Patches from Target
Select this checkbox to remove redundant patches after fusing is
performed that are within the user-defined patch maximum width factor.
Note: This is only useful in cases of open shells.
Collapse Patches
Select this checkbox to collapse created patches and directly connect
the source nodes to the target nodes. When enabled, you can select a
destination component for patch: Source Component, Current Component, or
New Component. Figure 3. Collapse Patches Enabled Figure 4. Collapse Patches Disabled
Perform Remesh
Select this checkbox to remesh elements near the connection based on
the user-defined parameters.
Triangle element inputs of the first
order will be remeshed. Quad element inputs will be remeshed with
mixer elements.
Number of Layers
Type the number of additional layers next to the intersect edge that
need to be remeshed into this field.
Feature Angle
Type the feature angle for the remeshed elements to be captured into
this field.
Growth Rate
Type the growth rate for remeshing into this field.
Fuse Mesh Examples
The Fuse tool can be used with several types of analyses where mesh connections are
required.
CFD Fluid Analysis Model Preparation
Create a water tight, fluid volume for CFD analysis by connecting shell and solid
parts. Figure 5.
Thermal Analysis Model Preparation
Prepare the model for thermal analysis by connecting closed shells across the
assembly. Figure 6.
Electromagnetic Analysis Model Preparation
Define connections across part assemblies by connecting the midmesh of shell
parts. Figure 7.
