Production line simulations use many 3D CAD models. When the original CAD model has complex shapes or numerous surfaces, many meshes must be generated to import them into the simulation system. The large number of meshes significantly deteriorates the simulation system’s overall response.
Therefore, to simulate a large-scale production line system, it is essential to reduce the volume of the CAD data to be used.

Example of unnecessary shapes (1)

Invisible internal shapes

In production line simulations, external shapes are critical, such as whether or not they interfere with each other. Therefore, internal (invisible) shapes are generally unnecessary. Removing unnecessary internal shapes does not change the appearance.

Example of unnecessary shapes (2)

Shapes of small parts (bolts, screws, etc.)

		A bolt with a washer (M6-L40)
Number of parts		3
Number of surfaces		28
Number of meshes (polygons)*	Maximum edge length: 3 mm	1,740
	Maximum edge length: 6 mm	1,066
	Maximum edge length: 10 mm	972
	Maximum edge length: Not specified.	648

*Each mesh count listed above is for reference when spGate is used to generate meshes from curved surfaces. However, if the production line simulation system generates meshes with moderate accuracy, the number of meshes will be less than this.

Example of unnecessary shapes (3)

Plate with holes

Plates have many hole shapes to allow screws or bolts to pass through. When meshes are generated from the shapes of the plate with holes, there will be many meshes in both the cylinder and the plate.

Depending on the conditions, a plate with holes will generate five times as many meshes as a plate without holes.

		Plate with holes	Plate without holes
Number of parts		1	1
Number of surfaces		26	10
Number of meshes (polygons)*	Maximum edge length: 3 mm	16,640	16,816
	Maximum edge length: 6 mm	4,448	4,224
	Maximum edge length: 10 mm	1,776	1,280
	Maximum edge length: Not specified	700	140

*Each mesh count listed above is for reference when spGate is used to generate meshes from curved surfaces. However, if the production line simulation system generates meshes with moderate accuracy, the number of meshes will be less than this.

Example of data reduction effort (1)

Hidden surface removal feature

Automatically removes internal shapes that cannot be seen from the outside.
The removal can be selected either on a “Surface” basis or on a “Part” basis.
It is recommended that “Surface” be selected if you want to reduce as much data as possible.

Although the eyeshot axis can be freely set, a number of different eyeshot axes at an equally divided angle are available.
For details, please read the separate article (Lighten the CAD Model with 50,000 Faces to 1/100 of It.).

Example of data reduction effort (2)

Auto Feature Recognition

The system can detect part shapes with the same topological structure (topology), such as screws or bolts, in batches by registering their features with the system in advance. Human error, such as oversight, occurs when unnecessary shapes are manually removed one at a time using a model tree (assembly tree). The Auto Feature Recognition function automatically processes shapes. You can avoid making an oversight by registering all of the unnecessary shapes.

This function changes the colors of the registered faces at once. You can use this function to hide or remove the shapes in batches after verifying them. In “Example of unnecessary shapes (2): Shapes of small parts” above, you can register the features as a STEP file in advance and have the system automatically detect shapes in all CAD models in batches.