Image processing to automate mesh generation

Finite element modeling is now a standard approach used in the industry to minimize costly trials and help reduce the overall lead time in product and process design. However, building surface/solid models defining the product shape and generating finite element meshes for analyses still require a significant amount of the engineers' time. In this paper, we present a new method for automatically generating a finite element mesh directly from bitmap image obtained from an artist's concept of a label for an embossed aluminum beverage can, and demonstrate its application towards the building of tooling mesh models used in the modeling of the embossing process. This approach completely eliminates the need for creating a surface/solid model, thus resulting in a dramatic reduction in the time required for process design.