Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for Design Engineers
The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has been widely implemented by automotive companies and is used by design engineers as a tool during the product development process. Design engineers analyze their own designs while they are still in the form of easily modifiable CAD models to allow for quick turnaround times and to ensure prompt implementation of analysis results in the design process. While FEA software is readily available, successful use of FEA as a design tool still requires an understanding of FEA basics, familiarity with FEA process and commonly used modeling techniques, as well as an appreciation of inherent errors and their effect on the quality of results. When used properly, the FEA becomes a tremendous productivity tool, helping design engineers reduce product development time and cost. Misapplication of FEA however, may lead to erroneous design decisions, which are very expensive to correct later in the design process.
This six-session web seminar provides design engineers with the skills necessary for proper use of FEA in the design process and to ensure that this powerful tool is implemented in the most efficient and productive way. Participants will study different types of analyses typically performed, discuss common misconceptions and traps in the FEA, and review Implementation of Management of FEA in the design environment. The online format will allow for some customization so problems of particular interest to participants and an exchange of FEA experiences may be discussed during the live sessions. Hands-on exercises focusing on the analysis of FEA errors and proper modeling techniques will be assigned.
All topics are illustrated by hands-on examples using FEA software SolidWorks® Simulation for which participants will be provided a Student License (compatible with Windows 7 SP1, 8.1, 10; IE 10,11; MS Excel and Word 2010, 2013, 2016). Acquired skills, however, are not software specific and no prior exposure to FEA software is required. The eBook, "Engineering Analysis with SolidWorks® Simulation" by Paul Kurowski, will also be included in the course materials. In-class, hands-on exercises and between-session assignments will provide an opportunity to put what is learned into practice.
What Will You Learn
- Select preferable modeling approaches
- Analyze errors inherent to FEA results
- Identify FEA advantages and shortcomings
- Avoid mistakes and pitfalls in FEA
- Produce reliable results on time
- Request FEA analysis and use FEA results
- Provide effective FEA project management
- Ensure quality and cost-effectiveness of FEA projects
Is This Course For You
This course addresses the needs of design engineers who are not specialized analysts but need to use the Finite Element Analysis to analyze new product during the design process. Also non-specialist FEA users, R&D engineers and managers, project engineers, and product engineers will benefit from its coverage of different FEA formulations, tools for error analysis, common errors, traps and misconceptions, and an introduction to FEA project management.
This course satisfies a requirement in the Product Engineering Tools and Methods Certificate Program.
Looking for more advanced FEA courses? Consider FEA Beyond Basics: Nonlinear Analysis and FEA Beyond Basics: Thermal Analysis.
Materials Provided
Course Requirements
*Global toll-free telephone numbers are provided for many countries outside the U.S., but are limited to those on the WebEx call-in toll-free number list. Check here to see if your country has a global call-in toll free telephone number for this web seminar. If your country is not listed, you may still connect using the US/Canada Call-in toll number or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Although WebEx Training Manager will automatically launch when you join the web seminar, you or your system administrator are encouraged to download the plug-in in advance to help ensure successful setup. Click here, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Topics
- Fundamental Concepts in the FEA
- Finite Element Analysis Process
- Origins and Types of FEA Errors
- Finite Element Mesh
- In-class Exercises
Session 2
- Control of Discretization Error - Convergence Process
- Verification and Validation of FEA Results
- In-class Exercises
- Homework Assignment
Session 3
- Control of Modeling Error
- Types of Finite Elements
- Types of Boundary Conditions
- Useful Modeling Techniques
- In-class Exercises
- Homework Assignment
Session 4
- Modal Analysis
- Buckling Analysis
- In-class Exercises
- Homework Assignment
Session 5
- Nonlinear Geometry Analysis
- Nonlinear Material Analysis
- Contact Stress Analysis
- In-class Exercises
- Homework Assignment
Session 6
- Steady State Thermal Analysis
- Transient Thermal Analysis
- FEA Implementation
- FEA Project Management
- FEA Traps and Misconceptions
- Quiz in preparation to post-course learning assessment