VI-AutoFlex is aimed at providing engineers with the ability to quickly model and include flexible components into their mechanisms. Conceptual level exploration of the influence of component flexibility is made easier since the user no longer has to wait for flexible body representation from a full-fledged finite element program.VI-AutoFlex provides the user with the tools needed to build a mesh, run the analysis, and convert a rigid part into a flexible one, all within the familiar MSC.ADAMS environment.

VI-AutoFlex Approach

• Need to generate flexible components at an early stage in virtual prototyping
• System Level integrated approach
  • Import or define geometry
  • Generate finite element mesh
  • Analyze structural component performance
    • Comprehensive system dynamics
    • Stress pre-calculation
    • Fatigue pre-calculation
• Product Combatibility
  • Export components mesh to ASCII files
  • Import from MSC.Patran and MSC.Nastran

Capabilities

• Mesh review and automatic quality check
• Validated FE Solver
• Geometric parameterization
• Functional parameterization based on mechanical constrains
• Rich library of materials
• Component Modes visual verification
• Flexible components can be assembled into one single flexible body
• Specialized modules for helical springs for use with ADAMS/Engine
• Specialized leaf springs for use with ADAMS/Car
• Seamless integration with ADAMS/Flex
• Supports stress recovery for complete integration with ADAMS/Durability

Building flexible components is now as easy as building rigid ones!

Benefits

• User-friendly approach for non-Finite Element experts
• More efficient design process due to close integration between mechanical and structural modeling
• Parameterization allows better exploration of design space leading to higher quality designs
  

Accuracy Verification

• Several Studies have been conducted with the
  VI-AutoFlex FE Solver to prove its accuracy with respect to known solutions and MSC.Nastran.
• Results of all tests demonstrated excellent reliability of the VI-AutoFlex for all available element types
• Tests have been conducted on both simple geometries on static load cases and on more complex shapes, taking into account Modal Synthesis
  

Simulation Examples

• Twist Beam Assembly
  • Parametric study on a twist beam suspension
  • Possible to obtain specific suspension characteristic curves by modifying the component shape and the assembly attachment points
  • Enormous savings in the design cycle, due to reduced number of FE-MBS-FE iterations
  • ?Decision process for selection of important suspension functionality is now moved up front: avoids inefficient configurations to be build and tested.

Leaf Spring Assembly

• Parametric studies on a leaf spring suspension
• Contact and friction between leaves taken into account
• Efficient approach to reduce the total number of DOFs compared to traditional beam approach
• Accurate static and dynamic response in all direction due to correct leaves shapes, size and tapering
• Much more accurate shape-dependent deformation for lateral and auto-aligning load cases.