Designing Bolts for 500kg Machine Component in Trains

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on designing bolts for a 500 kg machine component fixed to a train's roof, with the load actually being 1000 kg due to miscommunication. The need to account for both static and dynamic loads is emphasized, particularly during train acceleration and emergency braking, which both exert significant forces on the bolts. Participants suggest creating a free body diagram to visualize the forces acting on the bolts and to ensure proper sizing and quantity under worst-case scenarios. Concerns are raised about the lack of professional mechanical engineers involved in the project, highlighting the importance of considering factors like vibration and shock. Accurate calculations using the formula F = ma are recommended to determine the necessary bolt tensions.
lingesh
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We are working on a machine component structure that weighs around 500 kg.This component is fixed inside the train on top roof using 6 bolts..Now the part is we need to design bolt size and no of bolts under worst condition..The acceleration of train may be taken as 0.3g,where g-accn due to gravity..

what kind of forces act on this bolt and how to design?
BOLT PLATE.PNG
BOLT PLATE.PNG
 
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You description says the load is 500 kg, but your diagram says the load is 1000 kg. Which is it?

Since the train is accelerating, and presumably the c.g. of the load is located somewhere below the mounting plate attached to the roof, you'll need to expand your diagram and draw a free body diagram which includes the load and the mounting plate and then determine the static + dynamic loads when the train is accelerating.
 
You may want to find deceleration during emergency breaking, I'd guess it's more than acceleration under power.
 
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lingesh said:
We are working on a machine component structure that weighs around 500 kg.This component is fixed inside the train on top roof using 6 bolts..Now the part is we need to design bolt size and no of bolts under worst condition..The acceleration of train may be taken as 0.3g,where g-accn due to gravity..

what kind of forces act on this bolt and how to design?View attachment 85744 View attachment 85744

You don't have any professional Mechanical Engineers working on this project who can figure this out? That's kind of scary, IMO. You don't even mention issues like vibration and shock (I presume this location qualifies for the "sprung truck" shock/vibe spec?)
 
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billy_joule said:
You may want to find deceleration during emergency breaking, I'd guess it's more than acceleration under power.
Hi,
very valid point..The value of deceleration is 0.3g.i mentioned it wrongly..And load consider it as 1000 kg...
 
SteamKing said:
You description says the load is 500 kg, but your diagram says the load is 1000 kg. Which is it?

Since the train is accelerating, and presumably the c.g. of the load is located somewhere below the mounting plate attached to the roof, you'll need to expand your diagram and draw a free body diagram which includes the load and the mounting plate and then determine the static + dynamic loads when the train is accelerating.
Hi SteamKing,
I regret that mistake...Load is 1000 kg..If possible can you elaborate the method...

Thanks
 
lingesh said:
Hi SteamKing,
I regret that mistake...Load is 1000 kg..If possible can you elaborate the method...

Thanks
By using the acceleration of the train and the mass of the load, you can create a "fictitious" force acting on the load, F = ma. Apply this load at the center of gravity of the object, and then use statics to figure out what tensions the bolts must hold.
 
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