Finite Element Analysis and Design Optimization of a Structural System

Introduction and Problem Definition

This report presents a project proposal to minimize the mass of a standard one-quarter inch wrench by reducing the height and thickness of the wrench in certain key locations through optimization and finite element analysis. The objective of this project is to create a more efficient product with respect to total material usage and cost of the material. The report outlines the mathematical problem statement for a wrench, analyzes the structural system, and discusses the material properties, objective function, loading, and inequality and equality constraints of the wrench.

Analysis

The report provides a detailed analysis of the structural system of the wrench. The geometry of the wrench has been simplified and has been modeled using NX. The overall dimensions of the wrench have been modified to allow for volumes of more equal size to optimize the various thicknesses and heights. The report also discusses the material properties for 6150 Chromium-Vanadium steel and outlines the objective function, loading, and inequality and equality constraints for the analysis. The fourteen thicknesses along the handle of the wrench will be spread out equally along the handle length, and thicknesses 8 and 16 are referring to the thickness of the entire wrench ends.

Conclusion

This report proposes a project to minimize the mass of a standard one-quarter inch wrench by reducing the height and thickness of the wrench in certain key locations through optimization and finite element analysis. The analysis has been performed to determine the material properties, objective function, loading, and inequality and equality constraints of the wrench. The project aims to create a more efficient product with respect to total material usage and cost of the material, and the report provides a detailed analysis of the structural system of the wrench.