Tutorial: Simulate stress on a sheet metal part

Use linear static analysis to simulate the stresses on a sheet metal part. Sheet metal and other thin parts use a mid-surface as the study geometry and a 2D mesh to solve the study.

In this tutorial, you define a mid-surface in a sheet metal part, apply pinned and no rotation constraints, and solve the study. The part acts as the wheel support fork on a riding lawn mower.

The study parameters used in this tutorial are:

Study type=Linear Static
Load type=Force
Mesh type=2D Surface
Constraint type=No Rotation

Constraint type=Pinned

Note:

Constraint symbols indicate the degrees of freedom (DOF) of a model. The symbols are comprised of two shapes: a sphere and one or more arrows.

The sphere indicates no degrees of freedom. It is used by fixed and pinned constraints. It also appears in sliding-along-surface constraints, cylindrical constraints, and no rotation constraints.
Arrow symbols point in the direction the model is not constrained, with each arrow indicating one DOF.

No Rotation symbol

Prevents rotation, yet allows three translational DOF.

Example:

Pinned constraint symbol

Constrains all three translational DOF, yet allows three rotational DOF.

Example:

Create a study and define a mid-surface.

Open the file FE_sheet_fork.psm.

Simulation models are delivered in the \Program Files\UDS\QY CAD 2022\Training\Simulation folder.

Create a study:
1. Select Simulation tab→Study group→New Study.
2. From the Study Type list, choose Linear Static, and click OK.
  
  Note:
  
  For a sheet metal model, the Mesh Type defaults to Surface.

Analysis of a sheet metal part (or any thin part) requires a mid-surface.
1. From the Simulation tab→Geometry group, select Mid-Surface .
2. On the Mid-Surface command bar, do the following:
  1. Click Offset From Side 1.
  2. Ensure Offset Ratio is set to 0.500.
    
    You can see that the part is automatically selected, and the mid-surface is displayed in green.
  3. Click the Preview button, and then click Finish or right-click to accept.

Select the mid-surface:
1. In the empty space in PathFinder, right-click and select Hide All→Design Body.
  
  This exposes just the mid-surface.
  
  Note:
  
  Although the mid-surface is shown in the default purple color, the remaining illustrations portray a neutral gray color, which makes it easier to see what is selected.
2. From the Simulation tab→Geometry group, select the Define command.
3. Select and accept the mid-surface.
  
  Note:
  
  You also can select the Mid Surface 2 node in PathFinder.

Apply pinned and no rotation constraints.

Apply a pinned constraint:
1. Choose Simulation tab→Constraints group→Pinned .
2. Select the top face.
3. Right-click in space to accept; left-click to finish the command.

Apply a no-rotation constraint:
1. Choose Simulation tab→Constraints group→No-Rotation .
2. Select the two side faces.
3. Right-click in space to accept; left-click to finish the command.

Apply a force load, mesh, and solve.

Apply a force:
1. Choose Simulation tab→Structural Loads group→Force.
2. On the command bar, change the selection criteria to Edge/Corner.
3. Select the circular edges. In the value edit box, type 250 N and press Enter.
4. Click to finish.
5. In the Simulation pane, turn off the constraints and loads.

Mesh the enclosure:
1. Choose Simulation tab→Mesh group→Mesh.
2. Click the Mesh & Solve button.
  
  After a short period of time, the enclosure mid-surface displays a surface mesh.

Compare to the undeformed part:
1. In the Simulation Results environment, choose Home tab→Show group→Display Options .
2. Select the Undeformed Model check box.
  
  The original, undeformed state of the part is superimposed on the deformed state.
3. Select the Plate Thickness check box to display the plate thickness on the mid-surface.

Close this file.

Tutorial: Simulate centrifugal forces on a mower blade

Tutorial: Simulate wind velocity on a sign post