What is structural analysis? Why does it matter?
Structural analysis, similar to moldflow analysis, is a field in FEA (Finite Element Analysis). In contrast, structural analysis is an analysis method of solid mechanics, often utilized to analyze a design’s potential risks linked to specific, physical conditions of usages.
TH Industries resorts to ANSYS to perform such simulations. We frequently run static structural, transient thermodynamics, and vibration mechanics analyses.
Static structural analysis
Static structural analysis corresponds to validations of fatigue failure, static strength, and stiffness of a product. These results also provide insight to the safety factor of a product, based on the manufacturing process complexity and design concept.
Transient thermodynamics
Transient thermodynamics, within TH Industries’ usage, is mostly used to simulate heat transfer within our molds, of both carbon curing and injection molding.
Can structural analysis software be used for plastic materials?
Yes, although it is typically used for metal materials, such as aluminum, steel, and titanium. At TH Industries, thanks to Moldflow software, we get to export information of a plastic material’s fiber orientation and initial stress within the injection molding process. These pieces of information can then be coupled with ANSYS interface to run the structural analyses required.