3D Body Armour Design 2

[Pulsar123]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anybody could give me some tips on how to create a 3D model of body armour that I could then import into an FEA software like Ansys or Abaqus. There are very few tutorials on YouTube, and they aren't too helpful. I want to create a vest that covers the torso without arms, but I do not know which software is the best for this, or where to find detailed/useful guides for this purpose. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[rb1957]

Well, first you're going to want to model a torso; to support the armour. A big issue is going to be the stiffness of the torso.

Then for the armour, maybe scan an existing armour (police ?).

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[3DDave]

I would expect that most of the development of such things is done using real models - either gelatin that approximate the density of people or animals, starting with those which are no longer alive or necessarily in one piece. I cannot imagine that there is a way to properly model the damage tolerance of muscle, bones, lungs, and various internal organs.

As a practical matter it seems to me that most vests are to stop shrapnel originating from fragmentation grenades or light weapons fire from people who are not carefully aiming. In both cases the wearer needs access to rapid evacuation to surgical care. High caliber rounds, loss of limbs, or shots to the head will not be stopped by a vest. The latter was seen in part by the sniper in Dallas who killed several cops.

In short, unless the threat is from someone who is as startled as the vest wearer is by the suddenness of the need, there is little benefit and a lot of expense.

Regardless, analytically, it is not something that anyone who has to ask has any chance to accomplish.

 

[IRstuff]

Perhaps you should explain what you intend to do with the model; that might determine what the best course of action should be.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[IRstuff]

There are actually quite a few armor penetration simulation videos on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMlOWuEp20

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[3DDave]

If you can find someone wearing more than 100mm thick steel plate as body armor that would be interesting.

 

[Pulsar123]

I know how to do impact simulations in an FEA software. What I want to test is how energy dissipates in different armours and how these armours deform when impacted. I am designing NIJ III armour. I can use plates to test the properties of the composites, but I also want to examine the effect of the armour's shape/design on impact resistance. So could I hypothetically make a model in Fusion 360/Blender and import it into Abaqus using STL or something? As it seems like the sort of thing that is easier done in Fusion 360/Blender than e.g. SolidWorks, and then modify its properties once it is imported.

 

[rb1957]

step 0 ... learn some impact theory, from texts, online, etc
step 1 ... buy FEA code, include the dynamics/impacts extension
step 2 ... run though some simulations


another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Pulsar123]

As I mentioned above, I am already familiar with impact theory and can carry out the FEA simulations. That isn't my issue, it's which approach to use to make the armour.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

If you can find someone wearing more than 100mm thick steel plate and still standing that would be interesting.

Fixed that for ya, Dave...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[IRstuff]

I'm curious what you think you'll find that the dozens of manufacturers that have been working on this problem for decades missed?

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[drawoh]

Pulsar123,

It sounds here like you don't know how to construct 3D models in your CAD software. I have no tips for you. You need to learn 3D[ ]modelling.

There is no point coming up with a design that works, if you cannot document it somehow or a fabricator.

--
JHG

 

[CWB1]

Both Fusion and Solidworks are pretty limited in terms of surfacing, which is generally why they aren't used for either engineering or FEA. My understanding is that the magic smoke inside of body armor isnt the material per se' but how the various composites are actually woven together into various structures.

 

[3DDave]

If it's the effect of shape, use cylinders and spheres to gain insight. Unlike in certain Batman movies, adding nipples to the body armor won't much affect the result.

 

[rb1957]

they might distract the shooter ...

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[3DDave]

It's not really been tried on the battlefield. Always a first time I guess.

 

[hendersdc]

We had a guy that drew them on, small sample size but he didn't get shot!

 

[FACS]

I would suggest you find a vendor that sells CAD software, and discuss with them your requirements.
Then, when you find a package with the features and capability you need, buy it.
Take a course on how to use that software.

We have a very limited understanding of what it is you need, want or know how to use.
A good VAR will be able to listen to you, and then decide what you need.

Good luck.

 

[rb1957]

"A good VAR will be able to listen to you, and then decide what you need." ... then sell you what he has ...

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[drawoh]

Both Fusion and Solidworks are pretty limited in terms of surfacing

Solidworks is not the best free-form modeller out there, but you can draw crazy shapes with it. The primary problem is knowing which shapes to draw out.

--
JHG