Initial > Engineering services > Digital Simulations (FEA)

Digital Simulations (FEA)

We can support you with our computation skills, either for a project you have designed or by incorporating it directly into the study you have entrusted us with.

WHAT ARE THE KEY APPLICATIONS FOR THE DIGITAL SIMULATION?

study behaviour and size an assembly or a part
optimise the geometry of a part to ensure you:
- - have the best resistance (reduced constraints)
  - have ideal performance (reduced displacement)
  - have the lightest weight

make a choice of material in relation to constraints and displacements
analyse feasibility and study the manufacturing technology transfer: by way of an example, let’s say one of your parts is made of metal and you would like to have it made by thermoplastic moulding in order to reduce the weight or the cost.

“Digital simulation software is used for structure calculations (FEM or FEA, finite element analysis): Pro Mechanica.”

WHEN TO USE DIGITAL SIMULATION?

This process normally generally makes an appearance:

At the preliminary draft phase to make possible the sizing of a part, to define its volume or confirm feasibility,
following on from testing using prototypes to optimise behaviours and resistance,
after usage tests on the series product,
in order to correct any faults.

We provide you with our calculation expertise for:

to redesign your metal or plastic parts to manufacture them in additive manufacturing plastic or metal,
to define the solicitations and the cases of loadings of the parts,
to recommend the choice of the manufacturing process.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STEPS IN DIGITAL SIMULATION?

- From the usage conditions of your product, we define the stresses and the load cases for the parts or assemblies.
- Using the 3D files for the part of the assembly, (in STEP, IGES or native file format), we analyse its behaviour to verify the compliance to allowable tolerances or to the identified material.
- In the event that the tolerances or the resistance of a part is not within the agreed thresholds, we optimise the geometry of the part by calling in all the manufacturing constraints.

From the point of view of results, we then resend the 3D file of the optimised part to you (either in STEP or native format) together with the manufacturing constraints.

WHY USE INITIAL?

We use simulation software linked to Pro/Engineer which guarantees great flexibility when optimising geometries.
Expertise with regard to plastics is a core part of our speciality.
Advice regarding the choice of materials.
We integrate the manufacturing constraints of the part at the time of sizing or optimising it.
Proficiency in the use of additive manufacturing

Applications:

parts made of plastic or metal (for example mechanically welded).
plastic sub-assemblies
sheet metal working

DELIVERABLES

Detailed summary report with interpretation of the results.
Optimised 3D model of the part.
Advice on the choice of materials to use.