Mechanical computer aided engineering of surface unit supports: An analytical design and structural analyses of a new electric range surface unit support comparing its strength to an existing design, applying solid and finite element modeling and analyses

This thesis determines analytically the degree to which an electric range surface unit's structural integrity would change if its delta shaped support was replaced with a Y shape design. It develops a new Y shaped support to fit the unit's sheathed heater, and to rest in the same trim ring as the delta support, minimizing the material required. The new support and the delta design were modeled and analyzed using finite element analyses (FEA). The analyses compare the support's responses to static loads. The static loads applied represent a load test which has historically been used to compare relative strength of surface unit supports.;This thesis could have been completed using traditional design engineering and laboratory evaluation methods. It was performed as an analytic study to show that design engineering productivity can be increased through the use of "Mechanical Computer Aided Engineering" (MCAE). The results of the analyses were in good agreement with the results of the physical load test that was modeled.