Master Thesis - OUFTI-1

concerned. This particularity allows to model the fact that the screw is not rigidly
xed to the structural parts, and that a set can occured. It is important to note that
the denition of this type of assembly must be realized carefully. Indeed, one vertex
is used as the reference point for the determination of the "mean" assembly. It is
important that this point is selected rst and therefore, is dened as support 1. The
vertex must be dened in the "Modeler" module as "not a datum point". The group
of master nodes will be placed on support 2. No other parameters are required [56].
• Finally, the two vertex are linked together using a "xed" assembly, which allows to
model the screw. This type of assembly joins the two parts rigidly together.
The other components, such as the feet (normal and special ones), the deployment
switch, ... were not taken into account because they do not aect signicantly the global
behavior of the satellite.
5.2.3 Solar panels
The solar panels, made of Al − 7075 T 73, were also modeled using shell components
with a thickness of 1.5 mm.
These solar panels will be connected to the dierent faces (+X, +Y , −Y , +Z and −Z)
of the satellite using a specic glue: epoxy Stycast 2850 (with catalyst 24 LV), as alredy
mentioned. To model this type of connection in Samcef, a "glue" assembly is used. This
assembly is currently used when a glue is involved in a connection between two components.
It establishes a linear relation between the nodes on support 1 and the faces of the elements
on support 2 (as shown in Figure 5.1). The mesh is automatically adapted [56].
Figure 5.1: Illustration of a "glue" assembly [56]
The solar cells and the electronic pads were not included in the model for the same
reasons than before (negligible eect).
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