Workshop 2.

1
Static Analysis Basics

ANSYS Motor Structural

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Goals
Using the Mechanical Wizard, set up and solve a structural model for stress
and deformation for a motor model.
Problem statement:
• To simulate centrifugal force in the rotor spinning at 12,000 RPM.

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Assumptions
We will represent the connections between the rotor and magnets as bonded
connections as we don’t expect much relative sliding or opening at the
rotor/magnet interface.

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Environment
Loads: the centrifugal force is applied through rotational velocity of 12000 RPM to
the rotor & magnets.

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 Project Schematic
•Begin a new Workbench session and, from the Project page, choose “Restore
Archive . . . “ and browse to the file “WS2.1_Basics.wbpz” and Open (location
provided by instructor).
•When prompted, “Save” using the default name.

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 . . . Project Schematic
1. From the Static Structural system double
click (or RMB (Right Mouse Button) >
Edit) the “Model” cell to open
Mechanical. 1.

2. When Mechanical opens, verify the units

are set to “Metric (mm, kg, s, mV, mA)” 2.
and “RPM”.

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 . . . Preprocessing
3. Mechanical Application Wizard:
a. Turn on the Mechanical Application Wizard by clicking on the Mechanical Wizard icon.

b. Notice the links in the Wizard to insert loads, supports, solve, and request results.

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 . . . Preprocessing
4. Insert Loads:
a. Select “Insert Structural Loads” from the Wizard
b. Follow the call out box and insert a “Rotational Velocity”
c. The tree will now include a rotational velocity in the “Static
Structural” environment branch

b.
c.

a.

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. . . Preprocessing
5. Apply the rotational velocity :
a) Highlight “Rotational Velocity” in the environment
branch.
b) In the Details view, make sure the rotation is scoped
to “All bodies”
c) Click the “vector” field next to “Defined by” and
a.
choose “Components”.
d) In the Z component, input “12000” as 12000 RPM.

b.

c.

d.

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. . . Preprocessing
6. Apply supports to constrain the part:
a. Select “Insert Supports” from the Wizard
b. Follow the callout box to insert a “Remote Displacement”
c. Scope to the internal surface as highlighted by clicking Geometry
d. Specify the X, Y and Z components to be 0
e. Change the Behavior to “Rigid”

b.

c. a.

d.

e.

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 . . . Preprocessing
7. From the Mechanical Wizard request:
a) Insert Structural Results (the call out will point to the Solution toolbar).
b) Request total deformation results by clicking Deformation > Total.
c) Request von Mises results by Stress > Equivalent (von-Mises).

b. c.

a.

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 Solution
8. Solve the model:
a. Select “Solve” from the Wizard.
b. Follow the callout box and click on “Solve”. This model takes
~ 10 minutes to solve.

b.

a.

• Note how clicking on “Solve” in the Wizard does not automatically

start solving the model but instead, points out the “Solve” icon to
the user. Alternatively, you could right click on Model (B4) in the
“outline” and choose “Solve”

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 Results
9. View results:
a. Click “View Results” from the Wizard
b. Follow the callout box to where the results are available
under the “Solution” branch.

b.
a.

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. . . Results
Plotting a model’s deformation often provides a “reality check” in structural
analysis. Verifying the general nature (direction and amount) of deflection can
help avoid obvious mistakes in model setup. Animations are often used as well.

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 Report
•Create a report:
a. First choose the graphical items you wish to include in your report and insert a figure for each
one (this is your choice).
b. Click the “View report” in the Wizard (or click “Report Preview” tab) to generate the report.

a.

c. Send to Word, PowerPoint or Email b.

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 . . . Report
Notes on Figures:
•Figures are not limited to results items. Adding a plot of the
environment branch, for example, will include an image of model
boundary conditions in the Report.
•Figures are independent. You may set up individual figures and have
their orientation, zoom level, etc. retained regardless of the active
model orientation or other figures.
• Individual branches can have multiple figures associated with them.

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 Save
•Switch to the Workbench window and save the project as “WS2.1_Basics.wbpj”.
This solved model will be used again in Workshop 3.2.

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