You may review Steve Roensch's
Representative Consulting Projects,
Representative Consulting Clients,
FEA White Paper and current
Curriculum Vitae.
1. "Why should my company use finite element
analysis (FEA)?"
Today's engineering product world is driven primarily by two
things: quality and cost.
FEA of critical design components, while under design or on
the engineering change list, can greatly enhance the overall
product quality. The design can be checked against deformation,
stress, vibration and/or temperature specifications. FEA can
also reduce product cost significantly, especially if applied
early in the design cycle. Analysis results identify critical
areas which carry most of the load, as well as areas where
material may be saved. The number of testing prototypes required
can usually be reduced. Finally, the cost of a field repair or
replacement will often be many times the cost of a finite
element analysis.
Using finite element analysis is really a matter of good
engineering and good business.
2. "What exactly is FEA?"
FEA is a fairly recent discipline that provides the numerical
solution of governing physical equations over complicated
geometric domains. The method is regularly applied to the
structural analysis of designs with complex geometries.
The part being analyzed is divided into many small regions
called "finite elements". The physical behavior within each
element is understood in concise mathematical terms.
Assemblage of all elements' behavior produces a large matrix
equation, which is solved for the quantity of interest, such
as the deformation due to a maximum loading condition.
Additional quantities, such as stresses, are then
computed. Details are available in Mr. Roensch's
FEA White Paper.
Commercial FEA packages insulate the user from the substantial
programming required to perform even a simple analysis.
Still, obtaining accurate results from any package requires
an experienced analyst. FEA can and will deliver incorrect
results to the inexperienced user, with important design
decisions being based on this false information.
3. "Why should we use an FEA consulting
service?"
Companies requiring an occasional finite element analysis are
in an excellent position to make use of consulting services.
As mentioned earlier, inexperienced users may obtain
incorrect results, and individuals with the necessary
experience remain rare. Hiring experienced analysts is
justified for the company using FEA regularly, but the organization
with occasional analysis requirements may find the cost of a
full-time position prohibitive. Yet most companies have
important design decisions to be made now, for which
questionable analysis results are unacceptable.
Companies already successfully applying FEA can also make
good use of a consultant. Often the in-house analysts are too busy
to take on an important project. Or, an analysis of a type
unfamiliar to the employees may be required.
Given the quality and cost benefits of a correctly-applied
finite element analysis, using a consulting service is a
logical alternative for any company with structural design
responsibilities.
4. "Why should we hire Roensch & Associates
for FEA?"
Steve Roensch has all the qualifications required to ensure accurate,
timely finite element analysis. He has worked in a large research and
development laboratory applying the finite element method to new
designs. He has experience supporting many companies' finite element
applications, by installing the software, teaching FEA classes, and
working firsthand with design engineers to help them correctly apply
the method. Finally, in the role of FEA consultant and expert witness,
he has provided prompt, accurate finite element analysis of hundreds of
product designs. You may review Mr. Roensch's current
Curriculum Vitae.
Roensch & Associates is located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Mr. Roensch is available internationally for engineering consulting services.
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