I am designing a frame with T-Slot extruded Al which has several types of connection fixtures. These can be T-Nuts, T-Bolts, Gussets etc and are bolted connections.

See eg here: http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/parts/supplier/Bosch-Rexroth/6.aspx or here: http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/parts/supplier/80%2020-Inc.aspx

The frame is required to mount a vertical plate on one side and connect to L-Track on the other side where the L-Track is fixed.

I assume I should use Beams for the FEA, and as the connections are bolted together I will need to add Bolt fixtures?

I have to have a deflection of less than 0.5 inches at the load point in the design and the reaction load and moment limits for the L-Track must be within tolerances, (I am unsure how to conduct the FEA for. the L-Track).

A minimum factor of safety for yield and a factor of safety for ultimate stress is required for the analysis too.

I am quite new to FEA. I can set up a static study OK for a part but am unsure how to approach this problem of a bolted together Al T-Slot frame.

The atch pic gives and idea of a butt connection fixture. Other connections are more simplified T-Nuts and Bolts etc.

Here is the L-Track with its connector type:

Any help on how to set up such an FEA would be much appreciated.