FEA

Finite Element Analysis is commonly used in aerospace, automotive and architectural engineering with 2d or 3d computer simulation models to solve complex shapes.

Initial work towards creating the analysis was done, separately, by Alexander Hrennikoff and Richard Courant during 1941-1942. Although the two used different approaches, they shared one essential idea: mesh discretization of a continuous domain into a set of discrete sub-domains, referred to as elements.

Starting in 1947, at Imperial College, Olgierd Zienkiewicz used these approaches to form what would later be called the Finite Element Method (FEM), building the pioneering mathematical formalism of the method. Today the Finite Element Method is used in any and all aspects of mathematics and physics; from visualization of how a car deforms in an asymmetrical crash to solving complex elasticity and structural analysis problems in civil and aeronautical engineering.

Key Benefits of Using FEA in Virtual Product Development

• Reduce product development time and cost by reducing design iterations

• Reduce product development time and cost by reducing the number of prototypes constructed

• Reduce the amount of physical product testing, it is still very important to conduct some physical tests

• Reduce time to market

• Increase product quality through better understanding of how the product stands up to it's intended use

• The earlier FEA is introduced into the product life cycle the better

• Use FEA to drive product design

• The Principal has over twenty years of varied FEA experience doing stress, thermal, and dynamic analyses

FEA >

Solidworks FEA

FEA Tutorial Bending of a Cantilever Beam in SolidWorks.

SolidWorks takes a look at this classic cantilever beam fixed at one end with a sheer load or moment applied to the other end. Using one interface, you can review both the model and the deflection results to the analytical solution.

Join Esfand Kouhi from Intercad (http://www.intercad.com.au) as he explores SolidWorks FEA Simulation. This webcast will cover Simulation Seats in SolidWorks, Finite Element Definition, SolidWorks Simulation Interface, SolidWorks Simulation Options, SolidWorks Simulation pre-processing and SolidWorks Simulation post-processing.

Assignment 3: Product Design

Propose a new building brick to replace a Boral hollow concrete brick to function in a complimentary manner, by way of design and material specification.

Hollow concrete brick assignment by studiobutcher on Sketchfab

Engineered Building Block - Range Extension

Engineer a complimentary and sympathetic alternative engineered block design to function alongside the range of Boral Series 150 concrete hollow building blocks.

Within the dimensional parameters of 390mm x 190mm x 140mm consider

1. Materials and components suited to Australian conditions.

   • Assemblies and processes targeting future building technologies.

   • Production materials and processes suited to medium volumes with an eye to development for higher volumes.

   • Fire risk building sites

2. Proposal requirements

   • At least two distinct materials and manufacturing processes in your design.

   • Structural chassis.

   • Components for passive and/or active lighting, air flow and retrofit.

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3. Assessment criteria

   30% of overall grade

   • Creativity of your design in regards to use of materials, processes and originality.

   • Technical understanding and application in regards to how the different components are designed and the level of detail shown.

   • Overall quality of the documentation of the design.

   Note: there is no price point restriction on your design. It can be either a low end or a high end application or both.

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4. Deliverables

   Submission is a landscape PDF document (or website page) that includes the following:

   1. A ¾ view of the product – hero shot

   2. An exploded view of the product with part numbers

   3. A cross section of the product identifying how the internal components are positioned and secured by your housings.

   4. A bill of materials (BoM) corresponding to the exploded view that includes material type, manufacturing processes and surface treatment if applicable.

   5. One page written overview of the design

   Post your document to the Wiki (located in Week 14 folder on Blackboard) at 9am, Friday, October 31st November 7th (revised to avoid a clash with design studio submissions.)

Full Assignment Three intro >