Hi, how i can simulate a deformation caused by an acceleration on solidworks simulation tool. I want to apply a gravity force and an acceleration force perpendicular to gravity force and find resultant displacement. I want to be able to set acceleration and if possibile also simulate a very rapid deceleration similar(or equal) to a collision.
The problem I have is that i can't create another gravity acceleration but just one. I need to create a simulation with two acceleration, gravity acceleration and a custom acceleration. Is this possible in sw simulation tool? Or there's another tool for this in sw?
Thank you.
Yaro,
You accomplish this just as I outlined. 1.5xG is 'gravity' plus one half 'gravity'. Deceleration at 0.5 G would be 0.5xG. Just remember to apply the same factor to all remote loads. The density of the material will take care of itself from the 'G' factor.
what are you trying to learn in the simulation?
like james said applying gravity load will simulate how something will deform based on its weight and gravity
using this same feature to check deformation due to acceleration or deceleration is certainly a good first order approximation but those types of analyses can only truly be done in a dynamic analysis
The problem I have is that i can't create another gravity acceleration but just one. I need to create a simulation with two acceleration, gravity acceleration and a custom acceleration. Is this possible in sw simulation tool? Or there's another tool for this in sw?
Thank you.
You should add any other accelerations to gravity component-wise and put them in the gravity load.
Example:
Gravity (-z) with 2 g in the y direction, and 1 g halfway between y and x
Gravity = 0 x + 0 y + 1 z
Load 2 = 0 x + 2 y + 0 z
Load 3 = .707 x +.707 y + 0 z
Total = .707 x + 2.707 y - 1 z
Put the total in as your gravity load.
Just to add to mikes comment, in sim you have to expand the gravity bc to add multiple directions. At first or only shows one direction.
Mike (& Yaro)
Your example only works if it is forces being applied. If they are actually masses being acted upon by the gravitational field then that is the incorrect way to go about it.
Yaro,
If your gravitational field is not orthogonal (XYZ) then you need to either rotate your assembly or align 'gravity' to another entity.
I'm pretty sure I disagree with this. Gravity is just another acceleration. The original poster states he wants to apply "acceleration force", which I take to mean acceleration. If so, the method I stated is correct. This is pretty basic physics. If the poster wants to apply force, then he can't add them to gravity.
Mike,
Yes, if it is only forces due to an acceleration in another direction, i.e. hitting the side of the free end of a cantilever beam, then you are correct. However, in the case of multiple orthogonal accelerations (I don't think you can add more than one) you would have to resolve the resultant acceleration vector to a single value oriented in the necessary direction in order for the second acceleration to act upon the original mass(es) in the gravitational field. F=ma & all.
I think we are in agreement. Except I would argue you can add any arbitrary number of accelerations. I would also argue that a vector in component form is equivalent to a vector resolved to its direction and magnitude. SolidWorks will let you enter the acceleration in component form.
Mike,
How do you enter acceleration (gravity) in component form? I don't understand that - I can see where you can pick a different direction or perpendicular to a plane. Can you set up an arbitrary orthogonal set of planes? I have an application where that option could be useful.
(Yaro, sorry to hijack your feed.)
If you select a plane, under advanced, you can put in the second two components (the first component is normal to the plane). That's if I'm reading this right--this is a very confusing way to enter the load.
Yaro,
That's fairly easy. Just multiply your 'G' force by whatever factor (multiple) of gravity you need. If you are accelerating at 2 Gs then multiply by 2. If you have remote loads identified then you will need to multiply each of them as well since 'G' only works on mass.
If you are decelerating then change direction or multiply by a negative factor.
jr