Can You Run FEA on an Assembly in SolidWorks?
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a powerful tool used by engineers to simulate the behavior of structures and components under various conditions. SolidWorks, a popular computer-aided design (CAD) software, offers FEA capabilities that allow users to analyze individual parts.
But what about assemblies? Can you run FEA on an assembly in SolidWorks? Let’s find out.
Understanding FEA in SolidWorks
SolidWorks provides a comprehensive suite of tools for performing FEA on individual parts. By defining material properties, loads, and restraints, you can simulate how a part will respond to different forces and environmental conditions. This analysis helps engineers identify potential failure points, optimize designs, and ensure product safety.
However, when it comes to assemblies – which consist of multiple interconnected parts – running FEA becomes more complex. Analyzing the behavior of an entire assembly adds another layer of intricacy due to the interactions between its components.
The Limitations of Assembly Level FEA
In SolidWorks, the built-in Simulation module primarily focuses on analyzing individual parts rather than assemblies. Nevertheless, there are workarounds that allow you to conduct limited forms of assembly-level analysis.
Simplified Representations
One approach is to simplify the assembly by creating a representative model that captures the major features and interactions between parts. This simplified representation can then be used for running FEA simulations.
- Create Simplified Parts: Replace complex geometry with simplified shapes like blocks or cylinders that represent the overall behavior of each part.
- Merge Contacts: Combine contacting surfaces into bonded contacts or apply appropriate contact conditions.
- Apply Loads and Constraints: Define the loads and constraints on the simplified parts based on the expected behavior of the assembly.
This method provides a rough approximation of how an assembly might respond to external forces. However, it is essential to note that this approach sacrifices accuracy for simplicity. The results obtained from simplified models may not reflect the exact behavior of the complete assembly.
Sub-Modeling
Another technique to perform limited assembly-level FEA in SolidWorks is sub-modeling. This method involves breaking down the assembly into smaller, more manageable sections and analyzing each section separately.
The sub-modeling process typically follows these steps:
- Create a Global Model: Set up the full assembly model with all its components intact.
- Select Sub-Model Sections: Identify sections within the assembly that require detailed analysis due to high stress concentrations or critical areas.
- Create Sub-Models: Isolate and create separate models for each selected section while maintaining appropriate boundary conditions at interfaces.
- Analyze Sub-Models: Run FEA simulations on each sub-model individually to obtain detailed results for specific sections of interest.
- Transfer Results: Utilize load transfer techniques to apply results obtained from sub-models back into the global model, allowing for more accurate analysis of the complete assembly.
Note that this technique requires advanced knowledge of FEA and careful selection of sub-model sections. It can be time-consuming and may not be suitable for all types of assemblies.
The Importance of Verification
No matter which approach you choose, it is crucial to validate the accuracy of your simulation results. Comparing the FEA results with physical testing or analytical calculations can help ensure the reliability of your analysis.
SolidWorks also provides a range of verification and validation tools to help you assess the accuracy and convergence of your FEA simulations. These tools allow you to refine your models, meshing techniques, and boundary conditions until you achieve reliable results.
Conclusion
While SolidWorks primarily focuses on part-level analysis, it is possible to perform limited forms of assembly-level FEA using simplified representations or sub-modeling techniques. However, it is important to remember that these methods introduce approximations and may not capture all the complexities of a complete assembly.
When conducting assembly-level FEA, it is essential to use other verification methods and interpret the results with caution. Proper validation is necessary to ensure accurate simulations and make informed design decisions.