Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) can be an effective way to digitally prototype your designs, providing significant reduction in development time and cost. Optima have undertaken many complex FEA projects exploring the effects of stress, deflection, temperature and material properties. By using FEA, Optima can provide you with a fast and accurate comprehension of how your design performs and how you can maximise its characteristics.

FEA and related analysis techniques can be used in the design process to ensure your product is fit for purpose and reduce expenditure on costly prototypes. It can also be used to correlate ‘real-world’ test data, or improve designs which have performance or manufacturing issues.

Examples of the analysis we have undertaken include large fabricated assemblies – cranes, excavation equipment, test rigs; plastics parts and assemblies – bottles, pallets, mobile telephones, saw bodies and furniture. Our clients find it a critical tool in cost and weight reduction, development speed and certification of  complex designs prior to manufacture or certification.