Finite Elements Analysis-FEA Page

Systems Solutions Engineering

FEA

Systems Solutions Engineering Uses Finite Elements Analysis to help us “size” components. This has been especially valuable since we are always pushing the envelope with our designs. As we work on large assemblies, the need to minimize material usage is mandatory in order to reduce cost of material but also cost of handling and manufacturing. For many of our small assemblies, we are trying to increase speed, so reduction of mass allows us to increase speed. Additionally, FEA allows us to ensure that the components we design, and the assemblies that we make, will operate reliably and safely.

Take, for example, the hydraulic pump mount below. We will apply a 1,000 lb-ft (1355 N-m) to the mounting plate on the top of the stand. Originally, we looked at 2 inch (50mm) square tubing for the uprights. FEA results showed that this was excessive. So we changed to 2 inch equal length angle iron and came up with results similar to those below.

The movement at the mounting plate was excessive, so we looked at adding diagonal bracing at the front and rear of the stand. This fixed the problem as shown below, however, without the diagonal braces attached together, one brace would separate from the other by .030 inches (.8mm). (Note: displacement results were truncated in the first picture below to allow the use of same color scales) With a small weld, we could eliminate the distortion and have the entire stand displacement less than .005 inches (.12 mm)

To recap, FEA has allowed Systems Solutions Engineering to engineer cost effective assemblies through reduced calculation time and with optimum usage of materials and assembly processes.

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