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Mirage Machines Enhances Simulation Capability with ANSYS
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
- Robots - Gantry Robots
Applicable Industries
- Construction & Infrastructure
- Mining
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Digital Twin
- Virtual Reality
The Challenge
Mirage Machines, a manufacturer of portable machines for various industries, was facing a challenge in their design process. They were using detailed structural simulation at the front end of the design process to ensure the robustness and risk-free nature of their solutions. However, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation they were using, SolidWorks® Professional and Premium packages, had limitations. These packages only allowed Mirage to conduct FEA on single parts and small assembly models. A recent project required the development of a gantry that used a series of magnets to attach steel rails. The initial design was to be base metal, but the requirement changed to include a layer of paint. This change introduced an air gap, reducing the magnets' pull force by 40 percent. Mirage needed to understand the impact of the paint thickness on the pull force of the magnets and the integrity of the structure as the arms moved along the base rail.
About The Customer
Mirage Machines is a manufacturer of a wide variety of portable machines. They cater to several industries including oil, gas, power generation, ship build and repair, mining, and construction. Their machines cover a range of applications such as hot tapping, drilling, tapping, milling, pipe and casing cutting, line boring, and bespoke requirements. They are known for their commitment to providing robust and risk-free solutions to their clients, using detailed structural simulation at the front end of the design process.
The Solution
To overcome the limitations of their existing FEA software, Mirage Machines turned to ANSYS® Professional™ NLS, ANSYS geometry interface for SolidWorks, and ANSYS® DesignModeler™. The first step was to import the geometry for the gantry assembly from Solidworks into ANSYS DesignModeler. Then, DesignModeler was employed to prepare the geometry for simulation. Finally, the simulation was performed on the assembly of mixed materials, body types, and mesh types using ANSYS structural dynamics software. This solution greatly improved both the accuracy and the performance of the simulation, allowing the company to increase throughput and reduce risk in the design of the gantry.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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