Export to FEA

Next we will export motion loads and run a stress simulation on a component. Use the following process for every component you want to analyze in the stress analysis environment.

Select the component

Use the following process for each component you want to analyze in FEA:

1. Run the simulation.
2. Open the Output Grapher.
3. In the Output Grapher toolbar, click Export to FEA.
4. In the simulation browser, select Follower:1 and click OK. The dialog box for selecting load bearing inputs is displayed.

Select faces

Three joint inputs are required to satisfy the motion requirements for exporting the Follower component.

1. In the graphics window, select the long shaft of the Follower component, which satisfies the prismatic joint input.
   
2. In the dialog box, click Revolution 5.
3. Select the small shaft that is used with the Follower Roller.
   
4. In the dialog box, click the Spring joint.
5. In the graphics window, click the face where the spring contacts the follower, and click OK.

Next, specify the time steps to analyze:

1. Click the Deselect all command in the Output Grapher toolbar.
2. Expand the Standard Joints, Revolution:5, and Force folders. Click Force.
3. Expand the Force Joints, Spring / Damper / Jack joint, and Force folders. Click Force.
4. In the graph region, double-click a Force (Revolution) graph high point you want to analyze. In the time steps section above the graph, place a check mark next to the corresponding time step.
   
5. Using the same method, select a low point of the Force (Revolution) values. Place a check mark next to its time step.
6. Close the Output Grapher.

Import into Autodesk Inventor Stress Analysis

1. Click Finish Dynamic Simulation.
2. On the Environments tab, click Stress Analysis to open in the Stress Analysis environment.
3. In the Manage panel, click Create Simulation.
4. In the dialog box, under Static Analysis, select the Motion Loads Analysis option. The two list controls below the option are enabled and populated with the exported parts and time steps.
5. In the Part list, select the Follower component.
6. In the Time Step list, select a time step to analyze.
7. Click OK. The assembly updates to represent that time step and then isolates the Follower component for analysis. You can observe symbols representing the various forces acting on the Follower.
   
8. Click Mesh Settings, then click Create Curved Mesh Elements.
9. In the Solve panel, click Simulate, and then click Run. Wait for the simulation to complete.
10. Select from the various Results data to see how the component performs at that time step.
    
11. Click Finish Stress Analysis to exit the Stress Analysis environment.

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