topic Re: Simulating a Spring Model to determine the Spring Rate by prescribed displacement in Fusion Support Forum

Simulating a Spring Model to determine the Spring Rate by prescribed displacement

GermanWings — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:12:09 GMT

Hello,

I am using fusion 360 to cross check results from a Cool Spring Creator Website I found Here - Axcess Spring Force Calculator

I created a spring , and selected Stainless Steel 316 material , the calculator gave me a number of 22 N/mm , and a model , I decided to simulate the model and cross check if the website gives correct result or not.

I am not an expert in Simulation "Yet" , but here's what I think , This cannot be done in Static Stress Simulation , maybe because of the Multiple bodies involved , let me know , Anyways I could not find the value 22 N/mm from the calculator anywhere in my simulation ,

I am attaching a fusion archive file of the model , let me know if someone has experience with simulating a spring.

Re: Simulating a Spring Model to determine the Spring Rate by prescribed displacement

henderh — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:06:06 GMT

Hi @GermanWings,

We can achieve close to the 22 N/mm spring stiffness in the results by checking the reaction force from the 1mm Prescribed Displacement. The 'actual' result is:

22.98 N/mm for Linear Static (~4.5% change from theoretical)
22.94 N/mm for Nonlinear Static

I made a few tweaks to the setup:

Suppressed the Fixed constraint that fixes the spring to not movement in the X or Y directions. This could prevent free movement of the spring coils to twist, making the body artificially stiff.
Enable the mesh setting 'Create curved elements' (in the Advanced settings) so the analyzed shape of the spring is closer to reality.
Change the material from 'Steel - Stainless' to 'Stainless Steel AISI 317' (it should be closer to Stainless 316)

The modified setup is attached.
Hope this helps!

ps: Thank you for providing the setup / design file

Re: Simulating a Spring Model to determine the Spring Rate by prescribed displacement

GermanWings — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:25:43 GMT

Thanks for helping me, I see the results are relatable, What will happen compress the spring too much , will the simulation also show me if the spring will permanently damaged ?

Re: Simulating a Spring Model to determine the Spring Rate by prescribed displacement

fusion.redwoodteam — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:42:52 GMT

Hi @GermanWings,

If the minimum safety factor value is below 1, this indicates that plastic deformation has occurred. The spring will no longer perform elastically, and may be considered permanently damaged.