Using current Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis
(FEA) pre-processing systems, a large proportion of the analyst's time
is spent preparing an idealised model of a part or structure for anal
ysis. Although complete geometric information for the part is often av
ailable in the form of a solid model, this is seldom taken advantage o
f because of the amount of time required to simplify and idealise the
geometry for the subsequent meshing stage. In fact, analysts often fin
d it easier to reconstruct the idealised model from scratch, a process
which is error prone and prohibits linking the analysis results to th
e product in a formal way. This paper gives an overview of a future sy
stem which would allow and encourage more automated CAD-FEA transforma
tion using tools that operate directly on the solid model. Functional
components for such a system are discussed together with issues that s
hould be addressed in order to achieve a fully integrated CAD-FEA tran
sformtion scheme. The overall aim is to make the transition from a sol
id model to an idealised model suitable for analysis an easier, more r
obust and less time-consuming task.