6 Replies Latest reply on Mar 31, 2010 2:55 PM by Dan Buffo

Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?

Dan Buffo Mar 31, 2010 1:28 PM

Hello. I design thermoformed packaging, mainly clamshells, and I am not real familiar with Simulation. I have been having a lot of trouble lately with clamshells not being balanced when hung on a peg. I was wondering, would it be possible to test a design and see if it balances properly using Simulation, before I actually get a physical prototype made? I have SolidWorks Pro so I don't have the full Simulation package. Thanks.

Re: Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?

Ian Hogg Mar 31, 2010 1:35 PM (in response to Dan Buffo)

Hi Dan,
If you are talking about looking at the weight distribution in a package (ie item plus clamshell), then motion can easily do this for you. Even basic motion may be adequate.
As long as you have correct mass properties of the parts, you can have the entire package just as a subassembly sitting on a peg/hook and see how it balances.

You can also determine if it's balanced based on the mass properties of the system to see if it lies directly below the peg postion.

Hope this helps,

Ian
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- Re: Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?
  
  Dan Buffo Mar 31, 2010 1:40 PM (in response to Ian Hogg)
  
  Thank you very much, that does help. Is this something I should be able to figure out just from reading the Simulation help? Do you know what type of Simulation I should be looking for?
  
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  - Re: Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?
    
    Ian Hogg Mar 31, 2010 1:46 PM (in response to Dan Buffo)
    
    Hi Dan,
    
    Actually, you do not need simulation loaded (that is for stress analysis), look for SolidWorks Motion under the addins list. You then click on the motion study tab at the bottom of the SW Window to make a motion model. If you have a simple mate that puts the hole in the package concentric with the peg, then you should just need to add gravity (the apple icon on the motion study tool bar) and run it for a little bit to see where it will come to rest.
    
    There is some help on motion in the solidworks help to explain the features.
    
    There are three types of motion studies: animation, basic motion and then motion analysis. There is some explanation of these elsewhere on the motion forums, but you will need to look at basic motion or motion analysis for your task.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Ian
    
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    - Re: Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?
      
      Dan Buffo Mar 31, 2010 2:01 PM (in response to Ian Hogg)
      
      I did not see Motion in the Add-Ins menu so I looked it up. Apparently Solidworks Motion only comes with SolidWorks Premium, which I do not have. Thank you for your help.
      
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      - Re: Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?
        
        Ian Hogg Mar 31, 2010 2:15 PM (in response to Dan Buffo)
        
        Hi Dan,
        
        Sorry, I missed the SW Pro line in your original mail. I would still give this a go using basic motion. It is using an NVIDIA gaming physics engine, and should still give a reasonable solution. Otherwise just do the mass props approach and see where the center of mass lies
        
        Cheers,
        
        Ian
        
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        Re: Possible to find clamshell balance using Simulation?
        
        Dan Buffo Mar 31, 2010 2:55 PM (in response to Ian Hogg)
        
        You know, that might be simpler and easier. When viewed from the from, as it hangs, as long as the center of mass lines up with the center of the peg, that should do it. Thanks again.
        
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