Many fail to fully validate a product simply because they do not understand what the process entails. Validation is not simply another step in the product development process; rather it is arguably the most critical milestone. Too many fail to consider the environment in which this product is going to reside; while others might not verify initial design assumptions. In some cases, a company’s experience base may include constructing FEA models but fall short when it comes to performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to analyze the model, understanding the loads and structures, or moving beyond auto-meshing. It’s important to remember that FEA is a tool toward validation – not a push button solution. Validation also includes using test results coordinated with simulations to understand the structural mechanisms and behavior that control the products performance, durability, and reliability.
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