This tutorial concurrently introduces you to COSMOSWorks software and the fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis through hands-on exercises. A number of projects are presented using commonly used parts to illustrate the analysis features of COSMOSWorks.

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Before You Start - Notes on hands-on exercises, Prerequisites, Windows 2000/XP terminology   

1: Introduction -  What exactly is Finite Element Analysis?, Who should use FEA?, FEA: another design tool, Limitations of “FEA for design engineers”, Objective of “FEA for design engineers”, What is COSMOSWorks?, Integration between COSMOSWorks and SolidWorks, What are the fundamental steps in an FEA project?, Errors in FEA, A closer look at finite elements, Degrees of freedom, What is really calculated in FEA?, How do we interpret FEA results?, Von Mises stress, Principal stresses: P1, P2, and P3, Units of measurements, Using on-line Help, Limitations of COSMOSWorks   

2: Analysis of a rectangular plate with a hole - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

3: Analysis of an L-bracket  - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

4: Analysis of a support bracket - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

5: Analysis of a Link - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

6: Analysis of a tuning fork - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

7: Analysis of crossing pipes - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

8: Analysis of a radiator assembly - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

9: Analysis of a hanger assembly - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

10: Analysis of two cylinders in contact - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

11: Analysis of a bi-metal beam - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

12: Analysis of a pipe with cooling fins - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

13: Analysis of an L-beam - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

14: Optimization of a plate in bending - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

15: Analysis of a hollow bracket - Objectives, Project description, Procedure, Why are upgradeable elements called p-elements?, Why is the p-convergence process called a p-Adaptive solution, and what exactly does “Adaptive” mean?, Procedure, continued

16: Analysis of a tapered block  - Objectives, Project description, Procedure

17: Miscellaneous topics  - Selecting the automesher, Mesh quality and mesh degeneration, Solvers and solvers options, Displaying mesh in a results plot, Creating automatic reports, Using e-drawings for result presentation, Defining non-uniform loads, Defining bearing loads

18: Selected advanced topics  - 
Frequency analysis with pre-load, Large deformations contact, Shrink fit and inertial relief

19: Implementation of FEA into the design process  - 
Positioning CAD and FEA activities, Major steps in an FEA project, Progress checkpoints in an FEA project, Structure of an FEA report,

20: Glossary 

21: FEA Resources 

245 pages

Bookstores: For suggested educational retail price, click here.

2008
ISBN:  978-1-58503-469-7

2007
ISBN:  978-1-58503-353-9

2006
ISBN:  978-1-58503-282-2

2005
ISBN:  978-1-58503-249-5

2004
ISBN:  978-1-58503-181-8

2003
ISBN:  978-1-58503-158-0