HFSS15: Model Resolution

Model Resolution is a setting that determines the smallest details of a model that the mesher should capture and represent in the mesh.

Many times the analysis starts with the geometry already drawn in a different tool for different purpose. Some tools are designed for manufacturing and the resulting models contain lots of extra details not needed for electromagnetic analysis. If the user removes such details in the original tool the results will be better. But if the user does not have access to the original drawing tool or redrawing the model without these details is not possible, Model Resolution is another way to remove the details from analysis.

When the user sets the model resolution length to be L, the mesher will start with a surface representation of the model accurate to the modeler's tolerance limit. Then it will progressively remove edges, move points, merge points etc., within the allowable model resolution limit and simplify the surface mesh. During this process, tiny fillets, rounds, and chamfer protrusions are removed.

Other common model translation anomalies are also handled using Model Resolution. For example, some geometry engines will blindly export all of the surfaces as splines. When a user imports such a model for analysis, it would result in very large number of triangles. If the surface can be represented by a smaller set of triangles using Model Resolution, this procedure would reduce the number of triangles in the surface mesh.

The user can start with a model resolution length around 0.1*wavelength. If the model resolution length chosen by the user is too large, the mesher will detect it and report it as an error. The model resolution length is specified in the user units of the modeler. It can be set on selected bodies only. The default value is 100* the tolerance limit of the ACIS modeler.