Structural analysis and improvement of forklift using finite element method

In this work, static analysis of structural parts of a diesel forklift were performed using Finite Element Method and possible geometry modifications were utilized with respect to stress distributions at critical regions in order to improve reliability of the forklift design. The analyses were carried out according to standard regulations related with each of the analysed parts. The analysed parts (chassis, head-guard and fork) are the basic building blocks of forklift. The improvements in chases were demonstrated by the comparison of stress values for the original and the modified geometries. It is shown that significant reductions in stress values were obtained without a substantial change in the geometry of the chases. The reliability of head-guard and fork designs were assessed by performing finite element analyses. The finite element analyses were implemented using MSC SimXpert Nastran Finite Element software package.