Nonlinear FEA for Plastic Clip
Budget: $25 – $50 USD
I’m redesigning a thin-walled, injection-molded clip that must accept and securely hold round metal bars from 3/8 in up to 0.800 in in diameter without cracking or shearing off. To validate the concept, I need a full dynamic, non-linear finite-element analysis carried out on the SolidWorks model I’ll supply.
Key technical focus
• Tensile strength and flexural strength of the plastic are the primary failure modes we’re watching for in each simulation run.
• verifying that the clip will not fail given the geometry and maximum dia of the bar
• Impact resistance is less critical for now, but results that also touch on it are certainly welcome if it comes “for free” in your workflow.
Analysis workflow
I expect several design iterations. After each run I’ll tweak wall thicknesses, fillets, or snap features based on your findings, then send back the revised CAD. Please tell me:
- typical solver hours you need per iteration,
- your turnaround time from receiving a new file to delivering an updated report,
- the FEA package you’ll use (I have no preference—ANSYS, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation or any comparable tool is fine),
- any likely communication delays so I can plan around the PST time zone.
Deliverables per iteration
1. A concise PDF report with stress/strain plots, displacement data, and clear pass/fail commentary on tensile and flexural criteria.
2. Recommended geometry or material adjustments to reach target safety factors.
3. Native result files so I can archive or review them in-house.
Timeline
I’d like to kick this off immediately and keep the loop tight until the clip proves reliable, so please bid with your earliest start date and estimated calendar time for the first cycle.
If any other information will help you refine your estimate, just let me know and I’ll respond quickly. I look forward to collaborating with you on this analysis.
Attached is an example of the FEA problem for illustrative purposes only; please note the actual design is different than the one shown.
Key technical focus
• Tensile strength and flexural strength of the plastic are the primary failure modes we’re watching for in each simulation run.
• verifying that the clip will not fail given the geometry and maximum dia of the bar
• Impact resistance is less critical for now, but results that also touch on it are certainly welcome if it comes “for free” in your workflow.
Analysis workflow
I expect several design iterations. After each run I’ll tweak wall thicknesses, fillets, or snap features based on your findings, then send back the revised CAD. Please tell me:
- typical solver hours you need per iteration,
- your turnaround time from receiving a new file to delivering an updated report,
- the FEA package you’ll use (I have no preference—ANSYS, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation or any comparable tool is fine),
- any likely communication delays so I can plan around the PST time zone.
Deliverables per iteration
1. A concise PDF report with stress/strain plots, displacement data, and clear pass/fail commentary on tensile and flexural criteria.
2. Recommended geometry or material adjustments to reach target safety factors.
3. Native result files so I can archive or review them in-house.
Timeline
I’d like to kick this off immediately and keep the loop tight until the clip proves reliable, so please bid with your earliest start date and estimated calendar time for the first cycle.
If any other information will help you refine your estimate, just let me know and I’ll respond quickly. I look forward to collaborating with you on this analysis.
Attached is an example of the FEA problem for illustrative purposes only; please note the actual design is different than the one shown.
Related categories:
CAD/CAM
Solidworks
Mechanical Engineering
Finite Element Analysis
Product Design
3D Modelling
Simulation
Abaqus
Ansys