We've created our mesh. Next let's add some keypoints.
Adding keypoints isn't essential but it's recommended. In OnScale the spacing throughout a grid doesn't have to be regular. By adding keypoints, you can ensure that the meshing is appropriate for your model.
This idea is best explained with an example. Consider the following two models:
In the model on the left, no keypoints have been defined and so a regularly spaced grid is used. The correct size of the dark blue PZT material is indicated by the white dotted line. As you can see, due to the regular size of the grid elements, the PZT geometry isn't quite accurate.
In the model on the right, however, keypoints have been defined: these are shown by the red dots in the image. Here the spacing in the grid is not regular: the element size between the keypoints has been squeezed slightly to ensure that the grid fits between the keypoints.
As you can see, by adding keypoints we can ensure the accuracy of our model.
Adding a Keypoint to the X-Axis
There are a couple of ways of adding keypoints to your model. We'll explore these by adding keypoints to the X- and Y-axes in different ways.
First, follow these steps:
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In the Model Tree, click
beside Keypoints to show the Keypoint Definition window.
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In the Keypoint box, type 10 and then click Place Point.
Adding Keypoints to the Y-Axes
We could of course use the Keypoint Definition window to add our keypoints to the Y-axis too. Let's try a different approach, though.
- Close the Keypoint Definition window.
- In the Model Graphics tab of the ribbon, in the Selection Type group, click Point.
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In the model view, hover over the first point on the Y-axis where the PZT and water meet so that a yellow cross appears. Click to select this point.
- With this point selected, right-click anywhere in the model and select Add Key-Point > Y axis. A keypoint is added at 4 mm.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the second point on the Y-axis at which the PZT and water meet. This will add another keypoint at 6 mm.
Once you've added the three keypoints (one to the X-axis and two to the Y-axis), your model will look as so:
Note: You may have noticed that we can't use parameters when defining keypoints. This is currently only possible in Analyst.
What Next?
Next let's add some loads, which will represent electrodes in our model.