Structural / Thermal
Get Started: download and install Mecway
Examples below are all designed to be run using the demo version of Mecway (model size under 1000 nodes)
Start from the bottom, work your way up. Links to workshop files are included in YouTube video description. Models are simple, easy to change and observe effects. New examples added all the time.
Questions, Comments, Requests? Drop us a line: info@simcommons.com
Mecway - Simple Valve Body
Balloons fly away if not capped, valve bodies have similar issue.
Mecway - Formula SAE frame
A small start that can go as far as you want to work.
Mecway - Simple Bottle Whistle
Perform a an acoustic test and simulate with FEA without leaving home.
Mecway / Calculix - Simple Element Type Study
Comparison of element types - careful, they are different.
Mecway - Simple Bourdon Tube
Model this simple but effective pressure gage device.
Mecway / Calculix - Simple Prestressed Modal
Bolts fail and guitars can't be tuned without it.
Mecway / Calculix - Simple Blade Dynamics
Run demo, then spend your remaining career understanding what it means.
Mecway Simple Acoustic Resonance
Helmholtz and his resonator.
Mecway / Calculix - Simple Buckling
Buckling done 3 ways.
Mecway simple piston structural
Diesel Piston, easy to set up, easy to extend
Mecway / Calculix - simple dynamics 2
Pendulum dynamics
Mecway / Calculix - simple dynamics
Assess a mallet for natural frequency, excite a mode using rap test and harmonic input.
Mecway / Calculix - simple contact and friction
Contact with friction. Easy to change and observe
Mecway / Calculix - bridge - how you hold it matters
More examples of how constraints affect results.
Mecway / Calculix - simple check and review results
Some guidelines to be sure you are getting it right.
Mecway / Calculix - simple plasticity
How to include plasticity effects, important considerations.
Mecway / Calculix - simple press fit
Use contact condition to introduce press fit condition. How to interpret stresses.
Mecway / Calculix - simple cantilever - how you hold it matters
More examples of how constraints affect results.
Mecway / Calculix - simple model - how you hold it matters
Minimum conditions to suppress rigid body motion. More examples of how constraints affect results.
Mecway / Calculix - simple clip - how you hold it matters.
Subtle changes in boundary conditions can have big impact on results. More examples of how constraints affect results.
Mecway / Calculix - simple mesh size study
How grid size affects results, how to observe convergence (realistically).
Mecway / Calculix - simple thermal - modal
Simplest computer board, assess for thermal and vibration.
Mecway / Calculix - simple structural
Start here. Quick start to finite element in under 1000 nodes. Mesh, BC's, contact.
Check out these other examples:
Good links
Mecway - Low-cost commercial FEA package. Can seamlessly prepare Calculix input decks.
CALCULIX - Open Source FEA, very powerful, large user community, robust.
mkraska - Github for Calculix examples, emphasis on academics.
PrePoMax - Free Early stage pre/post processor for Calculix
FreeCAD - Open Source CAD with developing interface to Calculix