This paper on "FEM Analysis of the Braking Operation in a Projectile Weaving Machine" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Abstract

The projectile braking operation has been simulated, using ABAQUS/Explicit, in the development phase of a new projectile weaving machine to reduce the development time and the experiment costs. The projectiles have a velocity of 60 m/s when they enter the brake gap and they are then progressively slowed down until standstill by friction forces in the brake.
The objective of the FEM simulation was the determination of component stresses throughout the whole braking operation and hence the localisation of maximum stress values. The evaluation showed that the stress levels in some parts of the projectile brake were above the fatigue limit of the material. The component designs were modified, in the critical areas, and calculations for the redesigned parts showed that the maximum stresses were reduced to levels that ensure a satisfactory service life.