Smart Components™ example

The following example of a spring model highlights some of the main advantages of Enventive's Smart Components.

Complete, integrated model information

Enventive enables engineers to embed formulas computing functional properties in component models, as shown in the spring model below. Engineers can examine and modify graphical and mathematical views of their model simultaneously. Changes are automatically reflected throughout the model, in the sketch, equations, and parameters, so you never have to worry about keeping data in sync.

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Integrated equations compute properties

The equations for computing the spring properties are an integral part of the spring. The equations shown below are contained in the Spring_mm subcomponent that is being used in the SpringBottoming_Assy assembly. We can drive the values of the parameters contained in the Spring_mm subcomponent from the assembly and vice versa. Notice that the equations contained in the Spring_mm subcomponent incude equations that set values for various parameters, such as the wire diameter, solidheight, number of turns, spring diameter, and so on.

Tolerance analysis identifies contributors

When the spring component is used in an assembly, tolerance analyses involving the spring will identify contributors from the spring equations, such as wire_diameter, as shown in the Contributor Info section of the tolerance analysis report below.

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Matrix analysis identifies contributors common to all analyzed parameters

We can run tolerance analysis on multiple parameters in order to see a matrix of the contributors common to all the analyzed parameters. In the example shown below, we've analyzed a group of parameters, including SpringLength, stress, and solidheight. Note that the contributors shown in this report reflect the contribution to the set of parameters we analyzed, not just individual parameters.

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Optimizing critical parameters reduces variation

Using Enventive's Excel Solver add-in, optimization may be run directly from the tolerance analysis report.

In the illustration below, the Solver has been set up to minimize variation (minimize sigma), by changing contributor values, including the wire_diameter, Freelength, Number_of_Turns and Spring_diameter. Boundaries (constraints) have been specified for these parameters to drive the Sigma value. We've also specified target values for the analyzed parameters: Spring_Length must equal 85.0; Stress must be less than or equal to 490.0, and solidheight must be less than or equal to 50.

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As shown below, the optimization finds nominal values that meet the target performance goals while minimizing variation. Note that the Spring_Length, Stress, and solidheight parameters meet the specified target values, and variation has been reduced significantly, all without tightening tolerances.

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Force analysis example

Enventive enables engineers to rapidly analyze force across a range of motion at the push of a button. Analysis results are recorded directly to Excel for quick and convenient plotting.

To see how Enventive helps engineers analyze force, consider the following example. Government regulations specify a minimum force to open the door of a laundry dryer, which is secured with the latch mechanism shown below.

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Although it is vital to meet the minimum force requirement, it is also vital that the force not be too high, making the door difficult to open. The optimal solution will reliably meet the minimal force requirement with minimal variation, because excessive variation may cause the force to be either too high or too low.

The Enventive model shown above was used to simulate the force on the door latch as the door was opened. The force will initially increase as the door is pulled. It is important to determine the variability of the force across the range of motion, and the point at which the force peaks.

Enventive enables engineers to rapidly analyze the force across the range of motion. The plot near the bottom of the image shows the nominal force value as well as the +/- 3 sigma force variation due to tolerance variations. At the push of a button, Enventive is able to analyze the entire range in less than a minute.

Analysis results are recorded directly to Excel where they can quickly be plotted using tools provided by Excel. Excel is embedded directly in Enventive, and may optionally be run in its own window while maintaining its connection to Enventive. Excel is used for all tolerance analysis reporting, and may be used to drive Enventive models as well. Excel data is saved inside the Enventive data files.