News

Which redesign works? FEA tells

Sept. 4, 2003

Problem: A rubber grommet surrounding the hole on a 150-psi oil filter was getting pushed out.

Tao You, an engineer with Nelson Div. of Fleetguard, Nashville, quickly came up with several possible solutions: He could make the filter cover thicker, change the cross-sectional shape, or add a ring dent around the hole for stiffness.

But it could have taken weeks to analyze the effects of the alterations with physical prototypes. Instead, Cosmos FEA software from SRAC, Los Angeles (www.cosmos.com), let You analyze the ideas in a few hours. "I began by experimenting with the cover thickness," he says. "The FEA software showed the effects of several thicknesses. Analysis pointed to 0.024 in. as the most effective at reducing displacement," he says.

The software also allowed experimentation with different cross-sectional shapes. "I tried a curved surface, but it did not help much," said You. The software showed that the ring dent reduced the deflection. Of the two viable solutions, the thicker-material idea won because it cost less.

About the Author

Paul Dvorak

Paul Dvorak - Senior Editor
21 years of service. BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Secondary Education, Cleveland State University. Work experience: Highschool mathematics and physics teacher; design engineer, Primary editor for CAD/CAM technology. He isno longer with Machine Design.

Email: [email protected]

Paul Dvorak - Senior Editor
21 years of service. BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Secondary Education, Cleveland State University. Work experience: Highschool mathematics and physics teacher; design engineer, U.S. Air Force. Primary editor for CAD/CAM technology. He isno longer with Machine Design.

Email:=