SS-T: 3070 Springs

Tutorial Level: Intermediate

Purpose
SimSolid performs meshless structural analysis that works on full featured parts and assemblies, is tolerant of geometric imperfections, and runs in seconds to minutes. In this tutorial, you will do the following:
  • Learn how to create springs in SimSolid.
Model Description
The following model file is needed for this tutorial:
  • GateCaster.ssp
Figure 1.


The file has the following specifications:
  • Material is set to hard rubber for the wheel and steel for all parts
  • Connections are created between all parts of the assembly

Open Project

  1. Start a new SimSolid session.
  2. In the main window toolbar, click Open Project .
  3. In the Open project file dialog, choose GateCaster.ssp
  4. Click OK.

Review Model

  1. Review the model in the Project Tree and modeling window.
  2. Ensure all project specifications are included.
Figure 2.


Create Structural Linear Analysis

In the main window toolbar, click Structural > Structural linear.
The new analysis appears in the Project Tree under Design study 1 and the Analysis Workbench opens.

Create Immovable Support

  1. In the Analysis Workbench, click Immovable support.
  2. In the dialog, verify the Faces radio button is selected.
  3. In the modeling window, select the faces highlighted in orange from the figure below.
    Figure 3.


  4. Click OK.
    The new constraint, Immovable 1, appears in the Project Tree. A visual representation of the constraint is shown on the model.

Apply Force

  1. In the Analysis Workbench, click Force/Displacement > Force/Displacement.
  2. In the dialog, verify the Faces radio button is selected.
  3. In the modeling window, select the faces as highlighted in the figure below.
    Figure 4.


  4. Click OK.
    The new boundary condition, Force/Displacement 1, appears in the Project Tree.

Create Spring

  1. In the Analysis Workbench, click Spring.
  2. In the dialog, verify the Spring radio button is selected for Type and the Faces radio button is selected for Apply to.
  3. In the modeling window, select the highlighted faces as shown in the figure below for End 1.
    Figure 5.


  4. Select the End 2 radio button and select the highlighted faces as shown in the figure below.
    Figure 6.


  5. For Stiffness, enter 60 N/mm.
  6. Click Apply.
The new boundary condition, Spring 1, appears in the Project Tree.

Edit Solution Settings

  1. In the Analysis branch of the Project Tree, double-click on Solution settings.
  2. In the Solution settings dialog, for Adaptation select Global+Local in the drop-down menu.
  3. Click OK.

Run Analysis

  1. In the Project Tree, open the Analysis Workbench.
  2. Click Solve

Review Results

  1. In the , select Structural 1 subcase.
  2. In the Analysis Workbench toolbar, click Results plot.
  3. Select Displacement Magnitude.
    Figure 7.


    The Legend window opens and displays the contour plot.

Review Reactions

  1. In the Analysis Workbench, click Reaction/contact Force.
  2. Go to the Supports tab to view the springs.
  3. Select Spring 1 to review its reactions.
Figure 8.