Entry 31 : Completeion of Simulations and fabrication continues

 ENTRY #31 

    In terms of the final report, simulation testing has been completed. A load of approximately 266.89N was evenly distributed over the tabletop with its legs being the fixed geometry. The static test was then run and the results were shown in a Von Mises stress plot, Displacement plot, and Safety Factor plot. This allows for a complete analysis of where the item is stressed the most, what items are displaced and what is the overall safety factor of the product. 

The results are shown below : 

Displacement plot 

Safety Factor 

Von Mises Stress plot 

These factors showed that the design has been over-designed using the wrong sizing of framing example the 5mm thick supports and 3 mm thick legs. This resulted in a safety factor that is too high with a value of 294.1  such as  which can be considered as good, however, shows signs of over-engineering to save on material and ease the manufacturing cost by reducing material needed we can further optimize the design by making these changes as the optimal range of safety factor is 2-3.  These resulted in :

Displacemeant plot 

Safety factor plot 

Von Mises Stress plot 

These changes allowed for a dramatic decrease in the material used changing the supports thickness from 5mm to 3mm and the legs from 3mm to 2mm thick. This along with changing the tabletop thickness from 1" to 1/4". This allows for an overall decrease to19 which is as close to optimal without structural changes can be done. This procedure was then repeated for shafts 1 and shaft 2. 

Further simulations were to be done such as sustainability testing and DFMX testing.

While this was being done, fabrication of the machine was also updated with the table top being mounted and components mounting began. 

Image below shows the mounted table :