SolidWorks Motion allows users to simulate the conveyor operation and obtain the loads in the linkage system from the actual operation. These loads can then be used in SolidWorks Simulation to evaluate the strength of the design. This really takes the guesswork out of determining the inputs needed for strength calculations. While we can study the entire structure, let’s focus just on the pivot linkage. SolidWorks Motion can also be used for quickly sizing motors and actuators in a system.

Now that we understand the working loads, optimization couldn’t be easier. Being part of the SolidWorks environment makes geometry changes child’s play. All the designer has to do is pick what features he would like to change and a dimensional range of which they can vary. In this case, we let SolidWorks vary the Web, flange, and hole offset thickness as well as the torsional tube’s wall thickness. We also set a constraint that stress must remain below a certain value, like 50 MPa.

SolidWorks Simulation does the rest of the hard work; trying many different geometry combinations to find which one require the least amount of material while still keeping stress within an acceptable range.
In a matter of minutes a new more efficient design is achieved with very little effort.

In the example we are working with here, we were able to reduce the weight from 10.5kg to 6.15 kg). That’s a 40% weight saving.

Take a look at the presentation below.

Here is a short video describing the process narrated by SolidWorks:

During today’s webcast I discovered how you can extract detailed quantities relating to components in the design. For example when an simulation is running, you can choose the “results” button on the MotionManager toolbar and then choose a motor component in the MotionManager tree. The selection choices are myriad to say the least. One selection most machine designers are concerned with is Power Consumption, so that they can pick the right sized motor or actuator to handle the movement of a component.

Another possibility is running a static stress analysis during and event-based simulation run. A user can choose to run the static analysis on one or more components during the event simulation. Users can specify if they want to run the simulation during the entire motion run (which may take a while) or choose to run the static study during a small portion of the motion run, during a critical time. This critical time can of course be found by adding a “result” plot to the component in question and running the static study only during the peak of acceleration or power consumption. To learn more, please contact us here at CAPINC.