Mimics STL+ Module

The Mimics STL+ Module interfaces from Mimics to any kind of Rapid Prototyping (RP) system
via triangulated files. These files are created with a bilinear and interplane interpolation algorithm
to enhance the resolution of the RP model.

Export formats reduction. Matrix reduction allows the grouping of

Standard 3D file formats such as STL or VRML (as input
to virtual reality) are available. The STL format can be
used by any Rapid Prototyping system. Powerful adaptive
filtering offers a significant reduction of the file size.
It is possible to export from a mask, 3D object or 3dd file.
The available export formats are ASCII STL, Binary STL,
DXF, VRML 2.0 and Point Cloud.
Calculation parameters
Several calculation parameters can be specified. STL+
gives you the possibility to reduce the number of triangles
of the exported files, to interpolate the images and to do
smoothing on the 3D files.
There are two methods for reducing the number
of triangles available: matrix reduction and triangle
voxels to calculate the triangles. Triangle reduction
allows you to reduce the number of triangles in the
mesh. This makes it easier to manipulate the file.
There are also two methods available to interpolate the
images and generate the 3D mesh: grey value inter-
polation and contour interpolation. Contour interpola-
tion is a 2D interpolation in the plane of the images
that is smoothly expanded in the third dimension. Grey
value interpolation is a real 3D interpolation.
Moreover, when the quality of the visualisation has
priority over the accuracy of the 3D reconstruction or
STL file, you need to apply the continuity algorithm.
Otherwise you need to use the accuracy algorithm.
A smoothing algorithm can be applied to make rough
surfaces smoother.

Mimics FEA Module

The Mimics FEA Module enables you to link from scanned images to Finite Element Analysis
and Computational Fluid Dynamics by exporting the files in the appropriate file format. You can
calculate 3D objects based on the scanned images and prepare these surface meshes for Finite
Element Analysis purposes. The Remesher in the FEA Module assures that you'll end up with the
most optimal input for that FEA package. Materials can be assigned to volumetric meshes, based
on the Hounsfield Units in the scanned images.

Create a 3D object in Mimics from the scanned data

Remesh the 3D object with the Mimics Remesher in the FEA Module

Export the 3D object to a Patran neutral, Ansys or Abaqus surface mesh in the FEA Module

Convert the surface mesh to a volume mesh in a pre-processor (e.g. MSC.Marc,…)

Load the Patran neutral, Ansys or Abaqus volume mesh in the FEA module

Assign materials based on the scanned images to the volume mesh in the FEA Module

Export the volume mesh with material assignment to a Patran neutral, Ansys or Abaqus file in the FEA Module

Case represented by Prof. Dr. J. Vander Sloten, T. Van Cleynenbreugel, Dept. of Biomechanics
and Engineering Design, KU Leuven, Belgium
Mimics Remesher
Mimics Remesher significantly improves the quality and speed of FE analyses on STL models. It allows the easy transformation of
irregularly shaped triangles into more or less equilateral triangles. In addition to the automatic remeshing option, the Remesher offers
further techniques for improving triangle quality manually. This optimises the model for FEA purposes.
Wide range of quality measurement parameters

Mimics Remesher provides 14 of the most common quality inspection parameters. To

facilitate the subsequent FE analysis you want to perform, you can choose the most
suitable method for calculating triangle quality.

Easy automatic remeshing

The Remesher can improve mesh quality automatically. The software searches for all
triangles whose quality is below the indicated level and transform them to triangles with
a better shape.

Manual remeshing
In some cases, a few triangles with a shape inferior to the required quality level may
remain after automatic remeshing. The Remesher offers a unique toolbox to reshape
those triangles manually.

3D view of a vessel, before (left) and after

remeshing (right). Increased reliability and accuracy of FE analyses
The Mimics Remesher is a highly automated interface with FEA packages. It significantly
increases the reliability and accuracy of FEA results on STL models. Most FE packages
don't allow you to manipulate or optimise the mesh generated when you import a part.
This might reduce the accuracy of the results. With the Remesher you can optimise the
file and deliver good meshes that will run in the FEA software.

Reduced calculation times

Calculation times for running a sub-optimal mesh can be very lengthy. The optimised
meshes generated by the Remesher usually take a much shorter time.
Quality histogram of the triangles before (left)
and after remeshing (right)

Material Assignment
After loading a volume mesh, the FEA
calculates an appropriate Hounsfield value
for each element of the mesh based on
the scanned images. You can then specify
several Hounsfield Unit ranges that each
represent a material. You can also assign
a density, an E-Modulus and Poisson coeffi-
cient for those materials. The volumetric
mesh with the assigned materials can then
be exported to a Patran neutral, Ansys or
Abaqus file.
Assigning materials with a Uniform
method
Subdivide the range of Hounsfield units
of the volume mesh into a number of
equal sized intervals that each represent
a material. Assign a density value to each
material using an empirical expression to
convert the Hounsfield units into density
values. Then specify an E-modulus
expression and/or Poisson coefficient
expression for the materials.
Assigning materials with a Look-up
file
Define intervals of Hounsfield units with a
certain density assigned to each interval
in a xml file and import this xml file in the
FEA module. Assign the densities to the
elements of the volume mesh according to
the look-up file. Then specify an E-modulus
expression and/or Poisson expression for
the materials.

The FEA Module interface shows easy-to-use

histograms that show the number of elements
for each Hounsfield value (left) or the number
of elements in each material (right).
MedBr-012/EN-10-05

Material assignment. The red tetrahedra indicate a higher HU.

Data provided by the Computational Biomechanics Research Group of Zimmer GmbH, Switzerland

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