Parametric Simulation
Parametric simulation is our specialism at Fulwood Engineering. We have developed bespoke programmes for manufacturers to allow them to easily exploit the power of FEA. We can build tools that use freeware FEA packages for simple loading cases or complex tools using powerful commercial software such as Ansys.
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What is Parametric Simulation?
Simulation is the use of computer processing power to complete analysis on a system. Parametric simulation a simulation that has input parameters that are easily changed by the user. Perhaps you make wheels and need to know what their maximum safe working load is; a simulation will provide the answer for one design of wheel - but a parametric simulation can allow you to easily change the number of spokes, material properties, spoke diameter, wheel diameter, etc and press run to find out the results.
This becomes a powerful tool when developing designs.
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When is Parametric Simulation appropriate?
If inputs to your design such as geometry or material properties may be adapted, it is worth highlighting this during the planning of a simulation activity. Inputs can be driven from tables to investigate their sensitivity. This is a simple form of parametric simulation that does not require significant additional effort.
If you want to hand over simulation activities from specialists like Fulwood Engineering to designers without specialist knowledge, automation processes can be developed to simplify simulation and lock in settings. This requires a bit more effort to design the interface, but gives your team a tool to use in perpetuity. Fulwood Engineering has developed standard formats to quickly develop tools to your requirements.


Example - Four Point Bend GUI
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We built a Graphical User Interface (GUI) using Python that allows users to define a four point bend test, run the static structural simulation and look at the results. The program uses Calculix (a freeware FEA solver) in the background to find the solution. The inputs can easily be adapted and rerun to investigate their effect on the result.
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Python is a powerful tool for developing GUI interfaces quickly, a basic GUI like this one only takes a few hours for our engineers to produce. Python can automate operating system processes and is perfect for driving CAD and FEA to build and test designs.
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Calculix is a powerful freeware FEA solver with a lot of capabilities. Python automation is also available for more sophisticated commercial FEA packages such as Ansys.
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This is a simple example which we can share with you.
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Have you got an application that could benefit from process automation or parametric FEA? Get in touch with the link below.