Finite Element Analysis

Our products are frequently constrained by stringent requirements of maximum strength within tightly drawn weight and volume budgets. Comprehensive Finite Element Stress Analysis enables the design to be optimised to meet these conflicting parameters.

An excellent example of this is our solution to the design of the suspension road arm for the M777 ultra lightweight field howitzer. This towed weapon for rapid deployment used a ‘leading arm’ suspension arrangement, rather than the more usual ‘trailing arm’ to facilitate tow ability and a low-profile operational configuration. High suspension forces, in several planes, particularly when being towed through harsh, boulder-strewn terrain, must be carried by a structure produced to an overall weight budget of four tonnes for the total weight. Our development of lightweight steel box-section casting made extensive use of FEA to ensure that applied stress levels were minimised without any unnecessary section thicknesses in lightly stressed areas.