Tubular Frame Design

[B0ND]

Hi Everyone, I'm needing a little help in designing a tubular frame for a race car (Formula SAE). I did a first design (picture attached), but when I went to analyze it using Mechanica it gave me an error stating that the geometry was invalid. I'm assuming that this is because of the way I designed the frame, which was: 1. Create datum planes, 2. Create points where I wanted intersections, 3. Create sketch between points, 4. Create a swept protrusion along the sketch from part 3. This method leads to having lots of overlap at tube intersections which I think is the main problem when it comes to analyzing my model.

What I am asking of you fine people is: Can I rectify my existing model easily so that I can perform analysis on it? What is a better way to create my next model (faster, less datum planes, etc.)? Any tips in general for modeling tubular frames?

I did a search of the forums before posting this and I came across someone asking a similar question, to which he was referred the EFX (Expert Framework Extension) that might help save time and make the process easier. Is there a way that I can get EFX as a student? If I don't need anything like this, care to explain the best way to model it?

Sorry for being such a newbie, thanks in advance for the help!

Eric

View attachment 2246

 

[Zaki]

Hi Eric
U can use insert>advance>pipe command, for this u need to get co-ordinate valuesor datum points. about analysis u must put the thread in analysis forum. I think u must put welded joints in assy mode, so ur analysis will more realistic.

 

[B0ND]

Thanks Zaki for the prompt reply, I'll go see what the people in the Analysis forum have to say.

Eric

 

[Israr]

Expert framework Extension


Israr

 

[B0ND]

Israr, could you tell me how to find Expert Framework Extension? Is it something I need to download? Is it free? Is it free for students?
Thanks,

Eric

 

[Israr]

EFX 4.1 is a module not free for students, and not free for download.


Israr

 

[stefanba]

Hi Bond,


EFX is free for universities, so your universities Pro/E admin should ask PTC and then he can get it for free. Several student race car teams design their frames with EFX here in germany, so probably a good choice.


If you have problems to get EFX through PTC let me know (stefan@buw-soft.de) then I will help you


STefan

 

[B0ND]

Thanks Stefan, I appreciate the heads up!

Eric