Optimization of Sub Frames Design : Designing of new sub frame designs with CAD and analysing their strengths with FEA.
Abstract: Ålö is a supplier in the agricultural Machinery Industry. They develop and manufacture mainly front-end loaders and they got other products groups too. One of the other product groups consists of the sub frames. The sub frames are the mechanical components that are required for the front loaders to fit to different tractors. The product integrations section, that develops the sub frames, wants to investigate the strengths of other concepts of designs than their traditional ones. New models of sub frames were created by using Solid Edge which is a CAD-system. The models’ strengths were simulated by using Femap which is its built-in FEM-tool for engineering analysis. The FE-analysis were compared to the FE-analysis of the original sub frames. A total of three design changes were investigated. One set of sub frame was investigated with a new concept of design. Another set of sub frame was investigated with the new concept of design and it was also investigated with thinner plates. What was concluded is that the design change with thinner plates resulted in a weight reduction of 5 kg but at the cost of higher levels of stress. To verify that the sub frame will last its desired life span prototypes should be physically tested by fatigue test. The new design concept resulted in too big increases of stress levels on one set of sub frame and on another set of sub frame it resulted in small differences of stress but with a weight increase.
AT THIS PAGE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE ESSAY. (follow the link to the next page)