Analysts expect that the need for an increasingly efficient product development cycle will cause demand for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to grow by over 9% in the next five years. Are you using Finite Element Analysis in your design process yet? The cost savings benefits of FEA could be the difference between a successful project and one that is riddled with added costs and reduced performance. FEA can help you cut costs and design higher-performing products.
In this article, we’ll explore FEA and its Top 5 cost benefits to engineering projects so you’ll be ready to add this powerful tool to your design cycle.
The Basics of Finite Element Analysis
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a way to model the stresses on an engineering design mathematically in a process called the Finite Element Method (FEM). It’s a digital platform that engineers use to test designs against predictable forces and physical effects like vibration, heat, and tensile or compressive loading.
Once you have a digital mesh of the design made up of small elements, mathematical equations predict each element’s behavior based on their characteristics. The equations you would typically need to calculate the effects of the forces acting on a design are often partial differential equations. FEM lets you break the large-scale equation set down into simpler algebraic equations. The smaller equations combine to predict the behavior of the whole model. As long as the model is broken down into enough elements, the prediction will accurately represent reality.
Types of FEA
Several types of FEA are available and the type you use depends on the physical behaviors and interactions you want to simulate.
- Linear analysis assumes that the stiffness matrix, such as material properties and geometrical configuration, doesn’t change significantly during the analysis. It helps you simulate cases where you don’t expect the structure and conditions of the analysis to change in response to the applied load.
- Non-linear analysis can handle more complex situations. Non-linear FEA is useful in cases where material properties change with force, as in plasticity. Non-linear FEA also helps you model dynamic time-dependent problems like vibration.
- Static analysis works for situations where the load is constant. The system doesn’t change over time.
- Dynamic analysis is necessary if the system itself, the load application, or both might change over time. The analysis also takes acceleration and inertia into account.
- Absolute analysis provides absolute results with a high degree of accuracy.
- Comparative analysis shows whether design changes will cause a part’s performance to improve or degrade
The Top 5 Cost Benefits of FEA
One of the main benefits of using FEA is that you can cut costs without sacrificing quality and FEA has other advantages over physical testing in terms of cost, here are the top 5 cost benefits of FEA:
1. Fewer Physical Prototypes
Using FEA means you don’t need multiple versions of early prototypes. You save money on materials and labor. Developments in 3D printing have made producing prototypes easier, but the costs are still higher than FEA.
Avoiding the trial-and-error approach reduces your use of materials. You don’t end up with wasted materials from failed parts.
2. Capitalize on Efficient CAD Modeling
CAD modeling can be fast and efficient. In the traditional product cycle, the cost peaks at the end of the manufacturing phase. Moving the majority of the design and analysis to the 3D CAD phase reduces those costs.
3. Optimize Design through Iterations
FEA helps you maximize the efficiency of your product design. You can analyze design changes to ensure you meet safety and performance standards while reducing material consumption.
In addition, FEA pinpoints the causes of design failures. Through FEA, you know precisely which design features you need to modify. You don’t unnecessarily reinforce features that weren’t a contributing cause for a failure.
Iterative mathematical solutions through FEA can promote a stable, rigid design that minimizes fabrication costs, material usage, and product weight.
4. Avoid Sudden Cost Increases in Later Phases of the Manufacturing Cycle
One key cost-saving benefit of FEA is finding and fixing any problems in the product design with FEA during the early stages of the design-to-manufacture cycle saves money. Tooling and CNC machining are expensive. Changing a part multiple times can rapidly increase your costs.
FEA lets you verify the product before committing to a manufacturing setup. You don’t waste time and money setting up tooling and manufacturing processes for a product design that doesn’t work out.
5. Faster Turnaround Time
FEA gives you a faster design cycle. You aren’t tied to machine shops and manufacturing schedules for prototypes. You can test a new design using FEA within hours instead of waiting days or weeks to test a physical version.
You can test many design versions quickly and accurately. You can move forward with a successful design faster than if you needed to test multiple designs using physical prototypes.
Adding Finite Element Analysis to Your Design Process
When you’re ready to cut costs and improve your design process, Finite Element Analysis is the tool you’re looking for. You can trust ENSER with your FEA needs.
Why pay thousands of dollars for a software license and then spend the time and money to train your employees to use it? Rely on our decades of experience and investment in the latest technology. We’ll give you the quality solutions you need.
Founded in 1947 in Philadelphia, Pa, ENSER started with humble beginnings. First opened as a tool design company, our company has grown to three divisions: Engineering, Manufacturing, and Staffing.
With over 70 years of experience in the industry, our project management and engineering solutions pave the way.
Our history defines us. We can take the right steps to define yours.
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Contact us today and put our expertise into your next FEA project.
