calculating force required to move an object on wheels

[safiredesignengineers]

Hi Group

is it possible in fusion 360 to model up a test to calculate the size of wheel required to move an object by a known force and also another test to calculate how much force will be required to move an object  based on a size of wheel.

keeping this simple, if i had a rectangle block 2mtrs long by 1.2mtrs high weighing 2 tons and i positions 4 wheels on the base, how would i go about conducting my tests?

am i able to set a force onto a face that will push the block in the direction i want and it will effectively move?

Can Fusion do this??

[James.Youmatz]

Hi @safiredesignengineers ,

I think this is definitely a 2 part question, and some of this may be better asked in the DVD forum board, rather than the support board. The first part deals with how to calculate and best model this equation. Admittingly - it has been a few years since since I've had to even think about equations like this, so I had to look some of them up 

Using this guide here, you can better understand what is necessary in order to solve for the variables that you presenting. It sounds like what you want to solve for is the minimum tire size needed to overcome the force of rolling friction based on your model load. Again, I'm setting this up in a very simplified manner, and really only thinking about one wheel (which is why I suggest asking on DVD for more than 1 opinion).

Now diving into your questions a bit more:

1.) Is it possible in fusion 360 to model up a test to calculate the size of wheel required to move an object by a known force

Not that I can think of. Really this is the equation I set up above. You'd be solving for size of wheel, but setting things like torque and sliding friction as a known. At this point, a hand calc would be better. The only solution Fusion has (that I can think of) would be static stress and analyzing reaction forces, but I think you'd be limited since you can only measure reaction forces of constrained entities.

2.) Calculate how much force will be required to move an object  based on a size of wheel

This may be doable with event simulation (which analyzes a small event duration, such as milliseconds), but again, the issue of overcoming friction is really the part you'd have to solve for before the simulation. In my mind, you could set a force against against the wheel tangent to the wheel mimicking the resistance, and then add either a initial velocity, or even prescribed displacement to better understand what is happening during that even. I still think this would be a bit complex in nature.

Let me ask around though and see if anyone else has a better idea. Truthfully - never tried this in Fusion so only taking a shot in the dark.

Thanks,