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KnowledgeBase

FEM Wheel Bodies

This tutorial will demonstrate the process for importing, meshing, and positioning CAD wheel bodies in the FVA-Workbench.

cad_wheelbody.PNG

The following files are required to follow along with this tutorial in the FVA-Workbench:

Gearbox model

CAD wheel body (STEP)

Load the gearbox model and import the CAD wheel body

  1. Load the gearbox model cad_wheelbody.wbpz:

    Project -> Open

  2. Right-click on Cylindrical gear [9] in the Model Tree and add a new wheel body component.

    010_add_Component.png
    020_add_Wheel_Body.png
  3. Right-click on the new wheel body component and choose "Open FEM coupling feature." Select  "Elastic wheel body from CAD file" in the drop down menu under wheel body design.

    030_import_CAD_Body.png
    25-from_CAD.png
  4. Click "Import" under "CAD/FEM data."  Select the cad_wheelbody.stp file. Confirm mm as the unit for the model. The wheel body is initially placed in space independent of the gear model.

    35-Import_CAD.png
    051_first_ISO.png

Position the wheel bodies

  1. Click "Position FEM mesh"

    100_wheel_wizard.png
  2. Determine the center axis

    Select three nodes that form a circle whose center lies on the shaft axis of the gear. It is recommended to select three nodes along the edge of the CAD model. To do so, click "select" and then click on a mesh node. When all 3 nodes are selected, click "Apply" and then "Next."

    120_shaft_positioning.png
    121_shaft_positioning.png

    Notice

    This model contains a cylindrical press fit on the hub side. If the orientation is incorrect, click "reverse axial direction."

  3. Axial positioning

    For the axial positioning, select a node whose axis is located on the left or right edge of the gear.

    122_shaft_positioning.png

    To position the wheel body axially centered on the gear, select a boundary node to be placed under the gear (see image) and enter -5 mm as the distance to the gear face. The prefix (-5 or +5mm) may vary, depending on where the node is selected.

  4. Rotational position of the wheel body

    One, two, or three reference nodes can be selected to define the rotational position of the wheel body relative to a tooth gap. In this case, one of the bores in the wheel body should be used as a reference. Select three nodes that form a circle whose center corresponds to the center of one of the bores. Click "Apply" and then "Finish."

    130_rotational_position.png

    The position of the wheel body can be precisely specified using the "rotational position relative to the tooth space" input field. The flag shown serves as a guide.

Mesh the wheel body

  1. Click "Run FEM mesher."

    060_run_Mesher.png
  2. Define the center axis

    Click on the bore to determine the center axis. The axis shown must be located exactly in the center of the wheel body.

    070_wheel_center.png
  3. Meshing

    The default meshing parameters can be used. Click "create volume mesh." For more information, see Mesh the wheel body.

    080_wheel_mesher.png
    090_meshed_ISO.png

    If the surface mesh meets your requirements, the meshing process is complete.

  4. Click "Snap coupling nodes"

    50-snap_nodes.png

    The coupling nodes between the gear and the wheel body are automatically determined. You can visually check whether the snapped nodes meet your expectations. Use the "hide gear" feature to get a better view of the coupling nodes under the gear.

    If the position of the snapped coupling nodes does not meet expectations, adjust the position of the wheel body (or the geometry).

    140_snap_tool.png
    150_final_ISO.png

Run the calculation

Click "Calculate stiffness" to execute the calculation.

run_fem_wheelbody_calculation.png