Powertrain beaming analysis for the determination of the fundamental modes of engine and gearbox structures is vital for vehicle refinement. Determination of these modes allows vehicle manufacturers to separate structural modes from engine running modes and hence improve customer perception of vehicle quality. This study was carried out with industry standard software providers. The speed of which complex component geometry can be meshed for finite element analysis varies considerably depending on the quality and complexity of the CAD data involved. A W12 engine block was used as an example. Engine blocks have complex internal geometry to incorporate the reciprocating and rotating components of the crank slider mechanism as well as oil pathways, bolt holes etc. This leads to many internal surfaces that do not significantly contribute to the structural response of the engine block but significantly complicates the solid element meshing process. Using base language scripting the original pre-processing meshing techniques were adapted in a 2 stage process:

1) Unwanted internal geometry elimination and repair based on user input so that it was fully adaptable for all geometry. These tools identified all small surfaces for the oil pathways eliminated and repaired the geometry without causing further missing surfaces

2) A higher accuracy automatic element check and repair eliminating sliver elements allowing minimal time for sold mesh progression.

These tools reduced the meshing time, which could be up to weeks with complex poor internal geometry to a matter of hours. These tools are now supplied as standard by the software provider.