Mechanical event simulation for transverse impact problems /

Abstract

The objective of this study was to obtain the dynamic vibratory response of an aluminum cantilever beam subjected to the transverse impact load of a steel ball bearing at the free end, using finite element mechanical event simulation (MES) software. The MES software results were compared with experimental results after the steel ball bearing was dropped on a designated spot near the free end of the cantilevered aluminum beam. The strain vs. time curve was obtained from a data acquisition system connected to a strain gage located three inches from the free end of the aluminum cantilever, which was clamped to a laboratory table. The strain vs. time curve obtained from the finite element MES model compared relatively well with the experimental results. The MES software was able to pick up some of the high frequency content of the strain vs. time surprisingly well. A complete investigation was done on the finite element simulation in order to give a practicing engineer a more informed knowledge base to solve a wider range of vibro-impact problems with MES.