The following paper compares two different FE models, each one based on a FE model philosophy for mechanical structures. The aim of the work is to find a trade-off between cost and effectiveness, in terms of computational burdens, mechanical performances and simulation accuracy, compared to actual structure. The models taken under investigation simulate the same structure: one is composed only of 3D elements, while the other one, the “simplified”, is a mix of 1D and 2D elements, that streamlines the FE model although its geometry fits the actual one. Due to this, the simplified model gives back results comparable to the 3D one, but in a quicker way. The nomenclature and materials, recalled in the following paper, mostly refer to the ANSYS Workbench software. The object under investigation is a mechanical selector hosting a calibration unit and an optomechanical element (folding mirror). The different models are compared under a geometrical point of view, global weight and loads.
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