Each of the remeshing techniques available in Ansys Polyflow is designed to work well for a certain class of problem. Recommendations for the use of the remeshing techniques are listed below:
The method of spines is recommended for 2D jet-like extrusion and coating problems, where 1D remeshing is sufficient
The method of planes can be used for some 3D extrusion problems for which remeshing is not needed in the direction of extrusion. Note that this method cannot handle large deformations; Optimesh is recommended instead.
The Thompson transformation is recommended for 2D and 3D problems with complex deformations in all directions.
Optimesh 2D, like the Thompson transformation, is recommended for 2D problems with large deformations in all directions.
Optimesh 3D is recommended for extrusion (or inverse extrusion) problems for which large deformations of the extrudate are expected.
Thin shell remeshing can be used for 2D and 3D blow molding (large deformation of thin parison) when adaptive meshing is not invoked.
Lagrangian remeshing should be the primary choice for simulations involving large deformations, with no entry and no exit. It should be the primary choice for blow molding and thermoforming cases. It is the simplest algorithm available for such cases and it is very robust, especially when combined with adaptive meshing. It is available for 2D, 3D and shell models.
Thin shell remeshing with a Lagrangian master is available only for 2D blow molding and thermoforming cases, and can be used when adaptive meshing is not invoked.
Lagrangian remeshing on the borders is available for blow molding and thermoforming simulations for thick objects, and can be used when adaptive meshing is not invoked.
Streamwise remeshing is recommended for 3D extrusion problems, as an alternative to Optimesh, especially when large isotropic deformations of the extrudate exist, as in 3D fiber spinning.
Elastic and improved elastic remeshings are recommended for cases where the inherent topological complexity makes it difficult (or even impossible) to apply topologically regular methods.
Note that of the methods described above, the following require that the mesh of the free jet is a sliceable mesh: method of planes, Optimesh 3D, streamwise, and improved elastic remeshing. Ansys Polydata performs a check to make sure the mesh is actually defined on a support that is sliceable, and presents a warning message if it is not the case. See Generating a Sliceable Free Jet Mesh for more information about sliceable meshes, as well as how to convert meshes that are not sliceable.