How to use stress analysis in Autodesk Inventor to test your parts
This is an introduction to the stress analysis feature of
Autodesk Inventors. When making parts and assemblies, it is extremely important
to know where the critical stress points and design flaws are. The stress
analysis function eliminates guesswork and excess engineering in its design.
The two things necessary to begin this process are an
Inventor part or assembly file, and some estimated or actual calculated input
forces for your part.
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| Stress Analysis |
Let's start by opening your Inventor part file.
To start a new stress analysis, go to the ENVIRONMENTS tab
on your ribbon, click on it and on the left side of your screen you will see
the stress analysis function (rainbow-colored cube). Click on the icon and then
click create a simulation. A screen of initial settings will appear. You can
choose a static analysis or modal analysis.
The simple definition of static would be its main input the force that is not affected by weather/temperature/ atmospheric pressure.
Modal are dynamic forces (vibration) that will have side effects on your part.
The definition of what type of material is your piece
determines the amount and types of forces you can handle before it fails. This
should be the first step before continuing your test. Under your tape, you will
have a materials section with an icon that says ASSIGN, click on this. A pop-up window will appear showing the material of your piece. If you already defined
what the material was when you did your part, that material will be displayed.
If you have not defined it yet, click on the materials and select the desired
one. When you select a material, you can also double-click on it to see the
default settings for that type if you need to verify or change it.
The entry forces are the ones that will really be exercised
on your part. These are defined using the LOADS tools on your tape. I will add
two vertical forces in each of the outer red cylinders (simulated fork tubes).
These loads will be perpendicular to the upper and lower faces of the clamp for
this simulation. Once I have defined where the load will be exerted, the next
step is to define the amount of force (magnitude) in Newton. For this, I will
use 4448 Newtons, which is approximately 1000 lbs of force.
The inventor will run the simulation and show you the different
types and amounts of stress using the color-coded display table. Anything in
RED is bad and must be changed to its design.
This instructable was only an introduction to the stressanalysis services function, but there are almost unlimited configurations that allow you
to obtain the most accurate data possible. You can import forces from the
dynamic simulation function, see the stress loads in different factors, as well
as get a full report under the report icon on your tape. Take some time and
familiarize yourself with the aspects of this function and make sure your part
does the planned work.
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