I'm attempting to hexa mesh a welded steel assembly comprising of about 20 components. Hexa meshing went well but am having difficulty creating the contacts between part surfaces. Is there any way that the hexa cells between parts line up nicely i.e. match the nodes? Any help in modeling solid assemblies would be appreciated.

Are you using ICEM_CFD5.1/Blocking to build the Hexa mesh? I use it and don't have such kind of problem!

yes I am using ansys icem cfd 5.1. Would you be able to give me a few tips on modeling assemblies? say some step by step instructions.

kiddo do you use a complete block for the entire assembly or do you create indinidual blocks for each component?

Hi John, in http://www-harwell.ansys.com/demoroom/, you can see some hexa (blocking) skills and you will know how to blocking. I create one blocks and split/delete blocks, not create blocks individually.

kiddo, thank you, but all the examples are of one single component and not a "complete" assembly of parts ( i.e. different material`properties) you are correct in saying that you should create one block and then split it for one part what happens when you have an assembly? also the create topology command in icem cfd 5.1 can be used "by parts" or as a complete assembly. What I would require would be a demo file showing at least 3 distinct components with different material properties and how to mesh the assembly by parts. By part is more simple to block where as an assembly requires more complex blocking. The example of the bracket assembly in the website you mentioned would be a good example but instead of mid surface shell how would one block and analyze the assembly using solid hexas. The ideal mesh in my opion requires that the mating surface mesh be the same on mating parts. As of yet I have not figured out how to do it. Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong. Please need help.