Eliminate Physical Clamping – With Simulation

Stamped parts are subject to forces and strains that can create differences between the originally designed model and the manufactured part. As a result, manufacturers typically clamp the part in a specially designed measuring mount, and then 3D scan it to measure those differences and check the part’s quality. This process is complex and time-consuming, and requires the production of new mounts for each part.

BETA CAE Systems has come up with a simulation-based solution to this challenge with a new extension to its ANSA pre-processing software. Virtual Clamping tool in ANSA (VCA) allows companies to clamp and measure parts in an entirely virtual environment. This not only saves time and money, but also offers unlimited repeatability and flexibility into the quality control process.

Traditional physical clamping approaches require a high level of expertise in positioning the part, and in calibrating the hardware during the assembly process due to the complexity in part geometries. Moreover, clamping requires an expensive measuring machine and a considerable amount of time to set up for each scan and new clamping scenario. 

BETA CAE Systems VCA tool leverages the capabilities of the ANSA pre-processor, EPILYSIS solver, and META post-processor to virtualize the process. The stamped part is 3D-scanned in a free state and the clamping process is generated through a CAE simulation. A comparison is then run between the virtual scan and the CAD data.

With VCA, manufacturers can import the CAD model and the part scan, including all clamping points and holes. Users can add load case data and gravity effects, material type and part thickness, and then can set the clamping sequence for the virtual clamping process. The system generates a result as an STL file, along with a comparison PDF file and configuration file. Tables show the displacement for each clamping point while tolerances can be manually tuned for each point, based on user requirements. 

Even better, the solution has been designed so even non-ANSA users can quickly generate clamping measurement results. 

This solution by BETA reduces expenses associated with the creation of clamping devices, and reduces set-up time for scanning procedures. The number of processed parts can be increased drastically, and multiple clamping scenarios can be tested for each scanned panel without time-consuming set-up procedures.

Simulation is increasingly being used to reduce the time and cost of physical testing in a wide variety of industries. The Virtual Clamping tool applies proven simulation technology to a cumbersome physical testing process, providing time and cost savings that can also help accelerate decision making and, ultimately, time to market.

To learn more about BETA CAE Systems Virtual Clamping in ANSA, visit the company website and the Resource links below:

Resource List

Read the White Paper

Watch the Product Video

Watch the Presentation

More BETA CAE Systems Coverage