FEA
Structural analysis experts in Perth, Western Australia.
Give your product the best chance of success.
An under-engineered design is no laughing matter. Nobody wants a workplace catastrophe caused by poor structural analysis, but these occurrences are all too common.
Simulation software is increasingly accessible, with some companies even treating it as an extension to their own CAD packages. While a powerful tool in the right hands, it should not be used by an engineer without relevant experience and training.
What is FEA?
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a computerised simulation method that analyses the behaviour of a component or structure under various physical conditions, including load, heat, vibration, and fluid flow.
By understanding the behaviour and potential weaknesses of a design, our engineers can iterate and optimise products to reliably endure real-world conditions.
Safe hands.
Done correctly, FEA can substantially cut product development cycle times by reducing the need to build and test physical prototypes.
Our engineers have a wealth of experience designing, analysing, and optimising mechanical systems, including small plastic components, pressure rated enclosures, autonomous mining vehicle systems, and massive mining truck trays.
Your knowledge is the key.
Our clients understand their domain best, so we work together closely to gain the best understanding of real-world operating conditions and use cases for their products, using sensors and data loggers where possible.
Armed with this information, we can ensure simulations are representative of genuine situations, and that design requirements are met and exceeded. Our clients know their products will achieve certification and provide safe operation in the field.
Our services include:
-
ANSYS & ABAQUS software packages
-
Linear & non-linear static structural analysis
-
Non-linear material analysis, including plastics, rubber, and composites.
-
Dynamic response analysis of a structure experiencing dynamic loads
-
Modal analysis to understand system response to external loads and vibrations
-
Design life optimisation
-
Thermal analysis
-
Fatigue analysis
-
Buckling analysis
-
Weld analysis
-
Bolt load analysis
-
Discrete Element Modelling (DEM)
-
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Iterative Design
Using a combination of ANSYS Discovery and ANSYS Static Structural, we are quickly able to iterate designs to find an optimal solution.
We were tasked by our client BenStop to analyse and optimise an existing shipping container door brace design concept to work in a range of wind conditions. We used FEA to achieve a lightweight and user-friendly aluminium design through optimal material placement.
Data logging
We mounted three sensors along the Oresight logging boom for our client MPC Kinetic / Epiroc to capture accurate behaviour during real-world operation. This image displays data from one of the accelerometers, showing acceleration components in x, y, and z directions. Based on this information, it was determined that initial assumptions taken during the design phase were not conservative enough, and fatigue failure would occur after only months of use.
Using comparative analysis and available fatigue life data on materials used to manufacture the boom, the design was improved iteratively until stresses were reduced to targeted levels.
Coupled Simulation
DEM (Discrete Element Method) and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) are separate analysis services we provide that impart virtual loads on mechanical structures. These outputs can then be fed into FEA to simulate how stressful those loads will be, resulting in highly realistic analyses.
This animation simulates the behaviour of rocks inside a prototype mining truck tray. The upper segment is the initial DEM particle simulation, while the lower segment shows FEA-determined stress points on the tray caused by the moving rocks. This helped to achieve fast and cost-effective product development with minimal physical prototyping.
FEA IN ACTION
A data logging vehicle for surveying blast pads in surface mining operations.
Our driving sketch CAD modelling system saved time by creating a high-quality SolidWorks model that was ready for both seamless FEA optimisation and real-world manufacturing.
