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FEA should not necessarily be a design-driving tool, but rather a validation tool, but just verifying the part works as it should and for what it is designed for.
Solution:
Utilize intuition and hand calculations prior to using FEA, to effectively plan and design without relying on the estimation that FEA results give
This means that we need to ensure that everyone that is designing a part that goes through FEA has the proper knowledge basis, whether that means knowing at minimum, a basis level of intuition in Solids, Statics, Materials, etc., as well as an idea of how to conduct hand calculations
Welding training is a good idea in theory, but needs some sort of tangible way to quantify if someone has been successfully trained or not
Solution
Set a sort of curriculum to ensure that everyone has a basis level of how welding works
Conduct tests/have welds reviewed to check knowledge on welding theory, as well as check integrity and consistency of welds.
In addition, encourage members to weld on parts without apprehension, to the point where any mistake or shortcoming can be corrected by a veteran member, and the member-in-training can learn in a realistic environment
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