Need Help with Simulating Space Frame Chassis

[mdmckinley28]

Hello,

I'm working on a designing a space frame chassis and I need help figuring out how to effectively simulate the applied loads. I don't have much experience yet with the simulation software on fusion, so I'm unfamiliar with optimizing for it. As of right now, I go into the simulation workspace, constrain the model, apply the needed loads, and try to have fusion mesh the solid body, but it seems to never be consistent in successfully making the mesh. Even if it does succeed in making the mesh, the study might fail.

My workflow for designing the solid body right now is making 2D and 3D sketches and using the pipe command to make solid (not hollow) pipes, then once I have all of the pipes laid out, shell the entire body to the correct thickness. I know I'm missing many interior features in the pipes by using the shell command, but right now, I'm focusing on speed.

Is there a way to keep a fast workflow and have a more consistent experience trying to use the simulation workspace?

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

@mdmckinley28 

Tetrahedral mesh elements do not work well for long skinny geometry and thin geometry (relatively extreme aspect ratio) (beam elements would be better for the frame and thin feature elements for the plates).

You might try this analysis in Autodesk Inventor Professional (you would have to remodel the frame using Frame Generator in Inventor).

[mdmckinley28]

Thank you for the suggestion, I will definitely try it out.