Session 18

1. Introduction

The Repair tools in Ansys SpaceClaim are essential for cleaning up and preparing imported CAD geometry for high-quality simulation. When designs are brought in from other software, they often have defects like gaps, missing faces, split or extra edges, and separate surface bodies that must be corrected before meshing for CFD or FEA. This session teaches a systematic approach for diagnosing and fixing those common problems using a step-by-step workflow in the Repair workspace, transforming a problematic model into a single, robust, watertight solid.

2. Learning Objectives

This lesson centers on the major commands in SpaceClaim’s Repair tab, such as Stitch, Missing Faces, Gaps, Split Edges, and Extra Edges. You’ll learn how to visually spot issues, zoom in to problem areas, and use each tool to resolve them:

• Stitch: Merges separate surfaces into one by connecting adjacent edges within a specified tolerance.

• Gaps: Finds small openings between surfaces, and patches them either automatically or with manual selection. Adjusting tolerance helps find both minor and significant gaps.

• Missing Faces: Detects surfaces that are absent, then rebuilds them to seal the solid. This tool matches the curvature of nearby faces for a seamless fit.

• Split Edges & Extra Edges: Identifies unnecessary subdivided or overlapping edges, which can be deleted or merged to simplify geometry.

You’ll see how to apply these tools in sequence, often working left to right across the Repair tab, and learn when to use each one for the best result. Sometimes a combination of automated and manual fixes—including surface deletion, custom blend, or fill—are necessary for advanced issues.

3. Summary

This session delivered a complete workflow for repairing imported CAD geometry using SpaceClaim’s specialized tools. Starting from a model riddled with defects—gaps, missing faces, stray edges, multiple bodies—you learned to systematically use Stitch, Gaps, Missing Faces, and edge tools to build a clean, unified solid. Manual inspection, targeted corrections, and best practices for tolerance settings were discussed to ensure reliable mesh generation. By mastering these repair steps, you’ll be able to prepare any imported model for professional CFD or FEA simulation, saving time and avoiding downstream errors.