Problem Description

This tutorial is an example of a hybrid model, consisting of CAD-based, auto-meshed, solid elements and line elements added within Simulation Mechanical. You can use this technique to reduce the element count, decrease the solution time, and make the simulation process more efficient. A majority portion of the hollow shaft spanning between the wheel and crank subassemblies has been cut from the CAD model. You will use rigid and beam elements to make the required shaft span. The short portion at each end of the shaft that is represented by solid elements is sufficient to determine the torsional stress in the shaft. (Beam elements do not provide torsional or shear stress results, only axial and bending stresses.) However, beam elements do correctly account for the torsional stiffness and the resultant torsional displacement (twist).

Tutorial Summary:

• The file Remote Crank.stp is provided in your tutorial models folder.
• Use the Centroid Creator command to create a beam element connection between the wheel and crank subassemblies.
• Move the spokes at each end of the beam element part to new part numbers, one for each end.
• Change the element type for the two new parts to Rigid.
• Divide the connecting beam into 12 increments for multiple calculation points along its length.
• Specify a hollow round cross section for the connecting beam, 0.6 inch OD, 0.05 in wall thickness.
• Mesh the model using an absolute mesh size of 0.1 inch.

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