From Idea to Part: The Story of an A-Frame Support
Due to the thermal requirements of one particular project and the necessity for a light but stiff mounting, it was decided to use an A frame but adapt it to simulate a blade mount. This provides a flexible support, which can comply with the stress due to thermal contraction while being incredibly stiff. This was designed and modelled to give a strong support with reduced mass and minimal thermal conductance.
3-D Model of Support
![](assets/a-frame-3D-cropped.jpg)
The model was then meshed and prepared for Finite Element Analysis. Finite element techniques used at MSSL cover linear and non-linear static and dynamic analysis. The advantages of using MSSL are:
- Models meshed and analysed rapidly allowing shorter iteration durations
- Comprehensive technical notes and short reports
- Complete modal analysis, supported by on site test facilities
Fine Volume Mesh for Buckling Analysis
![](assets/a-frame-fea-cropped.jpg)
The results are presented in a professional graphical format with comprehensive conclusions. The ones shown here are the first buckling mode and show a typical first order collapse, sufficiently above the required strength.
![](assets/a-frame-analysis.jpg)
This was confirmed by MRE - outdoors test, the results of which are shown here.
![](assets/whoops2.jpg)
The mount under went extensive thermal conductance testing which was performed in-house. A heater was placed at the top of the mount and the conductance was measured. From these results the heat flux at 4K was calculated.
![](assets/A-frame-thermal-test2.jpg)
The finished mount, made by Electromec.
![](assets/A-frame-web2.jpg)
This page last modified
18 September, 2007
by Martin de la Nougerede
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