Four Point Bend Test | 
Vertical Deflections of Device | 
Strain Contour Plot |
Bend Test FEA Model Deformed and Undeformed | | |
The goal of this project was to perform a strength and fatigue evaluation of a nitinol orthopedic implant in a fairly short amount of time. Analyses were performed and calibrated with four-point bending test data using ANSYS's shape memory alloy material law and explicitly simulating the kinematic response of the test assembly. Peak displacement and strain calculations were used to compare various designs.
For this project, BioMedical Enterprises, Inc. (BME) chose CAE Associates to perform the simulations. BME designs, manufactures and markets memory metal implants used in orthopedic reconstructive surgery and fracture management. The analysis was completed quickly, with initial results within in a week after the initial contact.
CAE Associates utilized the ANSYS Mechanical software to perform the geometric and material nonlinear simulations that modeled the device and test assembly. Literature based material properties were verified via simulations.
CAE Associates worked closely with BME for this modeling and simulation project. According to Dave Pancratz, VP of Operations, BioMedical Enterprises, Inc.: "CAE Associates did a great job of modeling our implant and test set up, generating results, and producing a report within a short time. They were able to create a model and validate it to test data within a week.”
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