weld beads with solidworks simulation/COSMOS

[leigh8959]

Hi All,

I'm not even sure where to start with this one. I have an assembly of sheet metal parts that will be welded together. I'd like to do a solidworks simulation/COSMOS analysis of the stresses placed on the part. I've done this for individual parts, but how do I do it for an assembly?

When I create a weldbead using the

insert->assembly features->weld bead

command... I find that it just creates a new part.

What's the best way to go about this?

thank you,
Leigh

 

[EdDanzer]

I have found that it is quicker to design and solve the weldment as a part with air gaps than trying to make an assembly.

Ed Danzer

http://www.danzcoinc.com

http://www.dehyds.com

 

[ShaggyPE]

I'd like to do a solidworks simulation/COSMOS analysis of the stresses placed on the part. I've done this for individual parts, but how do I do it for an assembly?

Just click on the cosmos tab when you have the assembly file open. You will create a new study just like you did in a part file. You will now have a few new options as far as the analysis goes. There is something called contact and global contact. This is how cosmos will treat the bodies that are in contact with each other. The contact can be set to bonded, no penetration, and a few others. In your case, you can have your weld beads as separate parts. Your main pieces will be set to have a no penetration contact (although bonded is probably okay too... since you are talking about sheetmetal). Your weld beads will be bonded to your sheetmetal. After this, the analysis is basically the same as it would be for a part.

Keep in mind, that contact conditions other than bonded result is substantially longer run times. Bonded will run just as fast as a single part because as far as the mesh concerns, it is a single part.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist