STRUCTURAL SIZING AND SHAPE OPTIMISATION OF A LOAD CELL

Abstract

This paper presents a structural application of a sizing and shape based on a reliability-related multi-factor optimisation. The application to a load cell design confirmed that this method is highly effective and efficient in terms of sizing and shape optimisation. A simple model of the S-type load cell is modelled in finite element analysis software and the systematic optimisation method is applied. Structural responses and geometrical sensitivities are analysed by a FE method, and reliability performance is calculated by a reliability loading-case index (RLI). The evaluation indices of performances and loading cases are formulated, and an overall performance index is presented to quantitatively evaluate a design.