I am looking for the cross-use of a complementary approach between the stiffness matrix K and therefore a manual finite element calculation to validate the results by simulation of Solidworks by Stiffness Matrix V2.xlsx (316.6 KB) Finite Elements; For the moment I have worked on my matrices by setting all my parameters; I found values of the displacement of my free node; By using free software to start my RDM7 validation, I am consistent about moving my node. My goal is to justify the use of finite elements to introduce the use of the SOLIDWORKS simulation module that I have on my workstation. I still have to automate my EXCEL spreadsheet to solve the last matrix that gives me my travels. Thank you for providing me with this supplement and for having a result by simulation of my simplified structure. I'm going to make a CAD model tomorrow to have a certainty. Kind regards;
Over the posts I see that you are trying to evaluate different elements to estimate the limits of SW.
For the simulation I don't share (exceptionally your approach)
First of all, RDM7 is a very old and very limited tool that can be wrong or inoperative for slightly more complicated structures. I was asked quite often to redo the simu after an RDM7 presizing. This works for simple mechanically welded but not on slightly complicated frames and does not mention, for example, theoretical deformations on an aluminum injected crankcase or worse plastic.
On your approach (if I read you correctly) you have the stiffness matrix on one point, but with SW simulation it will do the calculations on sometimes millions of nodes and hundreds millions of DDLs. Theoretical pre-dimensioning by hand no longer has the same meaning today with CAD and Simu. Especially since SW gives you the stiffness matrices you want.
Thank you for your analysis of my request and your answer full of wisdom, to simplify I have to justify the use of a pre-dimensioning tool, I am satisfied with the very extensive simulation module of solidworks (Flow simulation helped me to deal with a problem too long to solve by hand of a vacuum gripper for a robot). The finite element computer approach, with its great flexibility and with the parameterization using a design study, makes it possible to obtain models that are impossible to validate by hand, but it is necessary to acquire the subtleties of the tool through exchanges with initiated and user people, and in the end, by comparing it with the physical model, I am the first to be convinced. I thank you for your help with all the many problems I encountered and the other members of the forum who were very involved.
