The mesh-based frictional contact model has been developed which does not rely on the spatial derivatives of the tool surface. Only points on the surface are evaluated from the description. which can then be simplified because of the relaxed demands placed on it. The surface tangents, normals, and corresponding derivatives at each finite-element node are evaluated directly from the finite-element mesh, in terms of the connecting nodal positions. The advantages accrue because there is no longer a need for a smooth tool surface to assure reasonable normals and derivatives. Furthermore, it can be shown that the equilibrium equations can only be properly written with a special normal derived from the mesh itself. The validity, accuracy, computation time, and stability of mesh-based contact model were discussed with the numerical examples of rounded flat-top and rough, flat-top rounded punch forming operations. Also, the forming process of a automobile inner panel section was simulated for testing the robustness of new contact model. In the discussion, the superiority of new model was examined, comparing with tool-based contact one.