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1-Visitor
November 5, 2015
Question

Displacement is way too high

  • November 5, 2015
  • 3 replies
  • 7932 views

Let me start by saying I am essentially self-taught when it comes to simulate. I have no training aside from a few examples on SolidWorks back in college (six years ago). I understand the mathematical concepts of FEA, but my practical knowledge has proven to be frustratingly lacking. So please forgive me if I am unable to frame my question properly in technical terms.

I am doing an analysis on a lifting device designed to retrieve and replace large tools from shelves. It is basically a "hook" to reach into the shelf to grab the tools using a hoist.

So far, I have only attempted static analysis. Is that sufficient? Do I need to do a more complex analysis? If so, that's a whole other can of worms for a later discussion.

My immediate problem is a huge discrepancy between stress and displacement in my static analysis. You can see my method and results via the attached screen captures.

Stress looks good - well under yield strength. The displacement is another story. Where am I going wrong? Are my constraints/loads incorrect? Is it a units problem?

For reference, the distance between the two holes is 44-3/8". The part was plasma cut from 1/2" SA36 plate. And FYI, this tool has already been in use for a while. This company is run by veteran welders and machinists. Engineering is somewhat of an afterthought.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Luke

3 replies

13-Aquamarine
November 5, 2015

I would start by checking the Young's Modulus of the material.  Unfortunately I can't comment on inch-lbf units, but if it's steel I'd expect YM of around 206 GPa (= N/mm^2); if alumin(i)um, around 71 GPa.

Depending on your basic modelling units set, it can be easy to get confused with more complex derived units such as stress.  I try to set my models to N, mm, s when I'm doing analyses because it ensures that forces and stresses are in units I'm familiar with - if you're using IPS then I'd suggest similarly setting your units to inch, lbf, sec.  It does mean that any masses (and densities) will have to be in... is it slugs?  For me it's tonnes, but that's not too hard to work with.

15-Moonstone
November 5, 2015

Hello

What version of Creo Simulate use you.

Kind regards.

Denis

lfox1-VisitorAuthor
1-Visitor
November 5, 2015

Thank you for the reply. I think the answer to your question is yes. That is, I am opening a design study with the part exactly as shown in my attached pictures and running the analysis.

Here is the .prt if you want to play with it.

15-Moonstone
November 5, 2015

Could you tell me what you use?

The conversion of young's modulus is not good.