Many companies use advanced finite element analysis to calculate
design stresses, but the fatigue analysis is often still done by
manually picking stress points for spread-sheet analysis. This is time
consuming and unreliable because it?s easy to miss failure locations.
Component validation by fatigue testing a prototype design in the test
lab is time-consuming. If the prototype fails prematurely, a costly,
open-ended cycle of design-test-redesign is required. Project
time-scales slip and delivery is late.
In the automotive industry some 40% of the total development cost is
spent making prototype parts. In the medical industry an unexpected
failure can mean the loss of several months lead-time over
competitors.
fe-safe?is a highly effective tool for fatigue analysis of Finite
Element models.
With fe-safe?as an integrated part of your design process, you have
the ability to optimise designs and test programs, reduce prototype
test times product recalls and warranty costs - all with increased
confidence that your product designs pass their test schedules as
?right first time?
fe-safe?
calculates fatigue lives at every point on a model, producing
contour plots to reveal fatigue lives and crack sites. Critical points
need not be missed.
determines how much the stresses must be changed in order to
achieve a target design life showing clearly where the component is
under strength, or where material and weight can be saved
estimates warranty claim curves based on probabilities of failure
calculates which parts of the service duty are most damaging and
which could be omitted from a fatigue test
identifies non-critical loads at significant points on a model. In
prototype testing this could mean tests using fewer loads and
therefore fewer actuators