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What we do / Finite Element Analysis

WE OPTIMISE YOUR PERFORMANCE

We do it using non-linear FEA, analysing your product’s suitability for its intended application.

We will help you get the edge.

Contact our FEA expert today

If you need any of the following:

  • Optimisation of a product design

    Optimisation of a product design

  • An understanding of the environmental limitations of your design

    An understanding of the environmental limitations of your design

  • An improved product life cycle

    An improved product life cycle

  • Knowledge of how and why an existing part is failing in operation

    Knowledge of how and why an existing part is failing in operation

  • A solution that will reduce trial and test time

    A solution that will reduce trial and test time

Talk to your FEA advisor here
Finite Element Analysis

Experts in non-linear FEA 

Product analysis doesn’t start with a prototype in a test rig. It starts with understanding how the material you have chosen will behave in the geometry that you (or we, if you like) have designed for your environment and under your operating conditions. 

We understand that. Which is why we will analyse any rubber compound using non-linear FEA. Anyone who knows something about measuring a stress/strain relationship will know that offering to test only a handful of core material grades isn’t enough. We will take a moulded sample of the actual material you want to manufacture your product from, and use the data from that specific compound mix to run the analysis. Not only that, but if you are bonding your rubber to a plastic, metal or composite part, we will include the properties of that material and look at how the relationship will impact the rubber component. 

What will we analyse through FEA?

  • Linear and non-linear structural static: compression and tension loading applications, such as isolators
  • Large strain deformation: applications such as bump stops and CV boots
  • Thermal effects: looking at material property reduction at temperature elevation and heat transfer
  • Transient dynamics: for example, the effect of a rolling wheel under deformation
  • Harmonic multi-loading: applications such as system isolators and anti-vibration mounts
  • Coupled analyses of the above 
  • Fluid mechanics with CFD 

Which materials will we analyse using FEA?

  • Isotropic – those materials which have identical properties in all directions, so that when a load is applied at any point in any axis, the same strength, stress, strain and young’s modulus will be exhibited. Examples of isotropic materials are metals such as steel and aluminium.
  • Anisotropic – those materials which are made up of unsymmetrical structures and whose responses to a load are direction-dependent. An example of an anisotropic materials is wood.
  • All rubber compounds 
    • Hyper elastic/non-linear elastic 
  • All PTFE compounds 
    • Bi-linear elasto-plastic 
  • Multi-layer composite materials with a bi-directional structural dependency 

FEA for CV Boots

Products like CV boots are critical to the performance of vehicles, and are a prime candidate for non-linear FEA. If you want to find out the types of analysis used, which areas it will help to improve and when to undertake FEA on CV boots, read our downloadable PDF below.

FEA Case Study

To find out how a well known delivery truck manufacturer used FEA as part of their crash test strategy before moving to the production phase, download the case study below.

Downloads

Want to know more about non-linear FEA and how it differs from linear FEA for materials like metals? Check out our technical page.

Our expertise in action

Custom solutions to ensure MXGP pole position

Not all our customers want volumes of parts; sometimes they just need a small batch, manufactured to exacting specifications with absolute performance in mind. Challenge: To design and produce parts for improved performance on a competition...

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Critical components test the boundaries of moulding techniques

Rubber is the ideal solution for a fuel hose - it can cope with extreme chemicals and provides flexibility. However, when trying to design for both safety and space-saving, a unique challenge is presented. Challenge: To...

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FEA simulation for crash test readiness

Finite element analysis can be used not only for understanding wear and reducing the cost of prototyping but also as part of a critical safety analysis prior to real-world tests. The challenge: To assist a commercial...

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Designing for production efficiencies

The processing industry is under pressure to offer efficiencies and cost-savings at all stages of their process. Consistent, reliable supply is the backbone of a productive business - and sometimes design for manufacture is key. The...

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Putting aesthetics at the forefront

There are times when the appearance of a product is equally as important as the function; if we know that from the outset we will design and manufacture with the visual impact as a priority. The...

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Designing around existing components for bespoke solutions

Often, our customers do not have CAD facilities; they rely upon us to take their vision and work with it to propose and develop a suitable solution. The challenge: To conceptualise and develop the design of...

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A race against time for design and production

For many of our customers their products are constantly going through re-design and development for improvement; we have to align ourselves with that process, often against tough deadlines. The challenge: To replicate a moulded rubber HNBR...

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Quality and workmanship to match your brand’s reputation

Some brands build their reputation on quality, finish and great British engineering. Whatever the critical factors for your product in terms of design and manufacture, we will work in partnership to make sure that our piece...

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Unusual solutions to solve a unique problem

Combining industry-specific knowledge with expertise in rubber engineering - whilst collaborating with engineers on site - allows us to think past the usual solution to a problem and design something to fit within a unique range...

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Problem solving and production for fluid engineering

Flowplant supply over 250 pumps every year throughout their distributor network, so when they came to us in 2018 looking for help in developing their diaphragm line we knew they would need support in both problem-solving...

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of our experts

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+44 (0) 23 8022 6330

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