An a priori adaptive 3D advancing front mesh generator integrated to solid modeling

We have developed the nodal pre-optimization concept in the context of our work on finite element analysis and CAD/CAM integration. This concept consists in deriving from all engineering data (geometric features, discretization error, boundary conditions, materials and physical constants) a nodal density map for automatic mesh generation. Nevertheless, this concept can only be applied if a mesh generator is able to satisfy precisely the density map mentioned above. This is the reason why we have developed a 3D automatic mesh generator based on advancing front techniques, featuring a strong ability to respect an imposed variable density map. After a brief description of the process, we introduce new parameters related to the density map respect. A set of applications of the concept to industrial mechanical parts are also presented in the paper.