One of the more enjoyable aspects of living in a technological age is the ease with which we can access news and information. At any moment, we can learn about new inventions and fresh developments in any number of industries.
Just recently, an announcement of advancements in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capabilities grabbed the attention of the hydroforming community.
Is Finite Element Analysis on your radar for projects you plan to develop during 2019? If not, it should be.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is an engineering technique used to obtain “approximate solutions of boundary value problems.” By running the specs of your prototype through FEA software, technicians are able to determine strengths, weaknesses, and potential refinements.
Since 2003, American Hydroformers has set high standards in the hydroforming industry and has continued to work hard to stay at the top of the manufacturing industry. American Hydroformers continue to invest in the equipment and technologies that we know our customers will appreciate. One of our goals is to provide high-quality products at a price our customers they can afford, and this is one of the reasons why we offer more than one way of forming materials.
When it comes to hydroforming services, you have a few options. Just because you have options, though, does not mean that they are all equally good or good for you. We would like to offer three good reasons why you should choose us.
Over the past few years, the industry has seen an uptick in the use of FEA (Finite Element Analysis). Of course, this is unsurprising, given the software’s versatile applications. Through running models and prototypes through FEA, industry leaders are able to save valuable time and money by troubleshooting problems, both pre and post-production.
In some situations, speed is of the essence. Think of self-styled “fast food” or “quick service” dining establishments. If such restaurants are unable to provide quality food quickly enough, their clientele may question the business model.
In many situations, however, the speed at which a good or service can be provided is less important than the quality. Although timing clearly does matter, speed doesn’t trump effectiveness. This is especially important to remember during pre-production.
When it comes to Finite Element Analysis, more companies than ever are putting this new technology to use at various points in the production process. Everything from the probability of fractures in ceramic components to a tendency toward buckling in honeycomb structures has been analyzed by this method.
Over the course of the last year, potential changes to federal regulations for automotive production in the United States have sent ripples through the auto industry. After months of speculation and media buzz, the first official step came over the summer of 2017.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department have opened the public comment period on the rewriting of standards for greenhouse gas emissions for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025 (NPR).
To some people, adding an extra step to your production process may sound counter-intuitive; however, if that step is to consider Finite Element Analysis (FEA), then it might not sound so crazy after all. By adding FEA to the mix, chances are high that you will shave both time and expense off your pre-production process and bring your product to the market quickly and efficiently.
Most people seem to think that faster is better.
Americans enjoy fast food, instant messaging, and even (believe it or not) new quick-cooking slow cookers. While not everything is better faster, we recognize that manufacturers could potentially save money if they were able to collapse the amount of time spent in the pre-production phase.
