The phrase refers to a method or tool designed to determine the optimal amount of material to remove, or “trim,” from files associated with computer-aided technologies (CAT), such as CAD or CAE. It frequently applies to models used in engineering or manufacturing. For example, in the context of finite element analysis, the expression might describe a process or software feature that reduces the complexity of a mesh by eliminating unnecessary elements, thus improving computational efficiency.
Such a utility is crucial for streamlining workflows and conserving resources. Reducing file size translates directly to faster processing times and decreased storage requirements. Historically, the necessity of this type of function arose from the increasing complexity of simulations and designs. Originally, simplification was accomplished manually, a time-consuming and potentially error-prone process. The advent of automated solutions offered significant gains in both accuracy and speed.
