Dynamic Analysis Step-by-Step

This article discusses about engineers who are relying on mechanical simulations to improve their understanding of loading and operating conditions with high-rise escalators gain in popularity. To model an escalator design’s steps for dynamic analysis, LG engineers simplified the mechanical system by applying the drive directly to the upper terminal gear and the driving pulley without the motor. To model an escalator’s continuous elastic handrail, LG engineers divided it into 127 discrete rigid bodies, resulting in a total of 381 independent degrees of freedom. Two friction contact elements for each handrail body are applied to prevent rotational motion of the handrail. LG Industrial Systems managers decided to expand the number of engineers at the company with access to the simulation model. They assigned LG engineers to work with Computer Aided Design Software, Inc. (CADSI), of Coralville, Iowa analysts to develop a front end to DADS that simplifies the process of developing a custom escalator model.