Solidworks tutorial simulation Author : M.Ghasemi Contact us: info @ solidworksadvisor.com
This time we are going to use the solidworks simulation to analyze a chair leg. We all have seen a chair like this: The stellate leg of the chair is a very good example for us to exercise the solidworks simulation. The vertical force of the weight of the person who seats on the chair spreads into the leg which should withstand the pressure. So first we design a schematic stellate leg then we will apply the force to see the results. This is an advanced solidworks tutorial and I don t cover the basic issues like how to create a sketch or so I just have provided some pictures of the design process for you to make the model up and running. But if you are a novice I recommend you to read the solidworks beginner tutorials first. This is the schematic model that we are going to design first: 1
We make the 3d model in 4 easy steps: Step1: sweep As you should know we need two sketches to make a swept shape: a profile and a path Profile sketch: Draw the profile on the right plane using solidworks slot tool: 2
Path sketch: Draw a free form spline on the front plane. Since this is schematic model we don t need to be exact here and two dimensions are enough: Note that the endpoint of the spline must be coincident with origin point Run the swept boss toll and sweep the profile along the path: 3
Step 2: pattern We need a rotation axis in order to pattern the sweep1 so draw a vertical centerline in the right plane in a new sketch then run the circular pattern command and pattern the sweep1: save your model: 4
Step 3: extruded boss Draw the circle on the top plane and extrude it like the following picture: Step4: extruded cut Draw another circle on the top face of the part and cut it through the model: 5
Now the model is readey for the simulation.save your work: Simulation process 1-How to begin a solidworks simulation First of all navigate to the solidworks add-ins tab and click on the solidworks simulation button to activate it: And see that the simulation tab is now added to the toolbar: 6
Navigate to the simulation tab and click on the new study: Now we can specify the type of study which is static in our case here: After clicking ok on the study window all the simulation tools will be available for us: 7
To perform a static study we need to define below items: 1. Material 2. Fixtures 3. External load 4. Mesh (optional) 1-specify the material Click on the apply material button.in the material window navigate to the aluminum alloys and select 1060 alloy for example. Click apply then click close Check the property manager and see the 1060 alloy is added as the material: 8
2-fixtures Select fixture advisor and click on the fixed geometry : Select the shown faces as the fixed geometries and click ok: 9
3-external load Select force from external loads advisor : Click inside the circular hole in the middle of the model. This specifies the face that force will be applied to but we need to choose the direction so select the selected direction option and choose a vertical line in the model. Force must be downward if it s not just check the reverse direction in the force window and finally put 800 N as the amount of force. 10
Now we are ready to perform the study. Click on the run this study button and wait for the results. www.solidworksadvisor.com After a few seconds the results will be added to the property manager and you can see them in the graphic area: The results are in main 3 categories: stress, displacement and strain. Double click on any of them in the property manager to see them in the graphic area. The colors show us the critical areas of the model under the specified force and the numbers beside them are the exact amount of stress, displacement and strain. Take your time and examine the results. 11
Simulated stress: Simulated displacement: 12
Simulated strain: Ok we have these results but what use do they have for us? Suppose that you are the designer of the chair and your product is going to be manufactured. By doing this simulation study you can see what happens to your design under the 800 N force with the specified alloy. Here is an example.suppose that a fat person like kevin james seats on this chair then what happens? You can increase the force to 1500 N and examine the results. if you are satisfiesd with the new results then you can be pretty sure that even if a 150kg chubby seats on the chair nothing happens. You can even get a report on microsft word format. Just click on the report button and wait for seconds. You will be surprised by the content of this report. I promise: www.solidworksadvisor.com M.Ghasemi 13