Simple plastics modeling software
Simple plastics modeling software
(OP)
I'm finding that I am working with a few different projects involving plastics, particularly transparent plastics, and need to model their physical parameters. I suppose there might be a bit of glass or metal in there too, but it's mostly about the plastics.
The designs aren't so complex that I need software to assist in actually generating the design. But the problem is optimizing the designs (specifically material thicknesses and support/reinforcement structures) so that they tolerate the loads reliably, but also aren't overbuilt in terms of materials.
I have hard values for the stresses, material strengths, etc., but you reach a certain point, where mechanical properties and a calculator just don't cut it anymore. How much will this bulge under that much pressure? When will we start to hit crazing problems with acrylic here?
Do you guys have any suggestions for software that might be fairly simple to use for a beginner, yet provide some of this modeling?
It would be even cooler if I could model optical and thermal properties.. but that maybe an entirely new door I don't want to open yet!
The designs aren't so complex that I need software to assist in actually generating the design. But the problem is optimizing the designs (specifically material thicknesses and support/reinforcement structures) so that they tolerate the loads reliably, but also aren't overbuilt in terms of materials.
I have hard values for the stresses, material strengths, etc., but you reach a certain point, where mechanical properties and a calculator just don't cut it anymore. How much will this bulge under that much pressure? When will we start to hit crazing problems with acrylic here?
Do you guys have any suggestions for software that might be fairly simple to use for a beginner, yet provide some of this modeling?
It would be even cooler if I could model optical and thermal properties.. but that maybe an entirely new door I don't want to open yet!






RE: Simple plastics modeling software
DuPont, Sumitomo, Bayer, Rhom Domstadt, Sabic are a few.
This lik should give you a start to finding current suppliers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylic_glass
Regards
Pat
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RE: Simple plastics modeling software
The problem becomes modeling the stresses. The designs I'm looking at never have situations where it is strictly compressive or tensile or whatever single property. It's usually some combination of different stresses, angles, etc.
Then on top of that, you want to model the kind of a flex you'd have under the given load. Yes, I could probably model that with a lot of work, but when you have a mix of tensile load and flexural load, it gets really convoluted to solve.
So, bottom line, I'm looking for specific suggestions on modeling software here.
RE: Simple plastics modeling software
Regards,
Cory
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RE: Simple plastics modeling software
Chris DeArmitt
RE: Simple plastics modeling software
If I narrowed my inquiry down to the performance characteristics of polycarbonate sheets under pressure, would there be a specific direction in which to look?
RE: Simple plastics modeling software
Regards,
Cory
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RE: Simple plastics modeling software
I don't know any straightforward Finite Element Analysis software. Or cheap for that matter. They generally cost tens of dollars.
Generally it would be convenient to have an expert, unless the design is quite basic. But for this, you should be able to hit it off with a spreadsheet or a program such as MathCAD (easier for auditing purposes).
I don't know the amount of work you do, but it might be all in all, cheaper and easier to subcontract the final optimisation. or to bring in someone that knows about finite element modelling, particularly applied to non-linear materials.
Involving optical properties it's a whole new game...Too complicated.
Thermal properties is easier, depending on wthat you want to achieve.
I am not sure about user-friendliness, but COSMOS (Dassault) might be a bit straight forward and should work together with Solidworks.
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