Finite Element Analysis (FEA) at CAL International

What is Finite Element Analysis?

FEA showing max deflection in aligned during lift conditions

The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is the simulation of any given physical phenomenon using the numerical technique called Finite Element Method (FEM). Engineers use FEA software in order to reduce the number of physical prototypes and experiments and to optimise components in their design phase to develop better products, faster while saving on expenses.

CAL International takes simulation very seriously. We have strong academic credentials and a comprehensive suite of simulation software, both static and dynamic, that allows us to cheaply and quickly validate design concepts ultimately reducing product development time and costs for our clients. CAL’s capability is very sophisticated and goes well beyond linear analysis to include vibrational (modal and transient) and heat transfer analysis along with the various full ‘life cycle’ analysis methodologies that may require redesign or inform a pre-emptive maintenance schedule.

What CAL do For Our Clients

The potential uses of FEA are limitless but at CAL International, we focus on two core FEA/simulation services;

Design Development with Integral FEA

Precision engineering sits at the heart of the CAL offering, we incorporate mechanical and electromechanical design to deliver the best solution which invariably throws up a number of design options that we then validate using the Finite Element Method.

Our speciality is to deliver robust engineering designs in the most efficient manner by combining years of practical experience, the latest academic research and computer-driven Finite Element Analysis modelling. This process allows our design team to quickly narrow in on the most viable solutions options and then we develop these options by examining the repetitive function and wider life cycle considerations such as key component manufacturability & replacement, ease of assembly, validate the full life cost etc.

The CAL solution design team, with integral FEA, is both sector and solution agnostic. In conjunction with the CAL new product introduction (NPI) team we can confidently deliver “complete solutions” from design concept through the full product lifecycle to ultimately the solution.

Design Validation

The CAL FEA team is also available to support clients who have their own design capability and want to use FEA and design simulation to validate their designs or to offer optimisation suggestions. Naturally the design validation service can be a broad as the capabilities of FEA but in most circumstances the requirements are mechanical requiring the product to be assessed against load, force, pressure, heat, electromagnetic interference, vibration and any other physical stimuli that the product, or individual components, could be exposed to during its full life cycle.

Whilst mechanical engineering sits at the heart of most precision engineering the CAL design validation team is definitely not constrained to the mechanical arena, almost all solutions are equally assessed by our team of electrical engineers, electronic engineers, our system integrators, and increasingly our software development and cloud ops teams are required to provide a provide a holistic review.

Weld contact assessment on lifting equipment

Additional services that the design validation team can provide include;

Optimising for occupational health: providing designing support and advice for HSE material handling, operator safety and security aspects
Heavy machinery conversion and upgrading: providing complete design and engineering support to upgrade heavy machinery such as providing new special attachments or modification for new functions

In addition to all of the above CAL also has a specialist medtech team bringing medical and biotechnology specialisation support as required.

The CAL copyrighting team can also support with the broader legal/ intellectual property rights considerations that often arise from an innovative design.

If finite element analysis is the solution to your problem, or to find out more about the services we offer, contact us today;

visit http://cal-international.com

call +44 (0)151 315 0490

email enquiries@cal-international.com