MSC.ADAMS
BASIC TRAINING and EXAMPLES
Chen Ke Liang Jihui
SHENYANG LIGONG UNIVERSITY
2007
ADAMS BASIC TRAINING and EXAMPLES
CONTENTS
SectionⅠ- ADAMS/View
1 ADAMS/View Basics ... 1
1.1 Introducing ADAMS/View ... 1
1.1.1 Steps in Modeling and Simulating ... 1
1.1.2 Build Your Model ... 1
1.1.3 Test and Validate Your Model ... 3
1.1.4 Refine Your Model and Iterate ... 5
1.1.5 Customize and Automate ADAMS/View... 5
1.2 Working with the ADAMS/View ... 6
1.2.1 Starting ADAMS/View ... 6
1.2.2 ADAMS/View Main Window ... 6
1.2.3 Starting a New Modeling Session ... 7
1.3 Defining the Modeling Environment ... 9
1.3.1 Specifying the Type of Coordinate System ... 9
1.3.2 Setting Units of Measurement ... 10
1.3.3 Specifying Gravitational Force ... 11
1.3.4 Specifying Working Directory ... 12
2 Building Models in ADAMS/View ... 13
2.1 Creating Parts ... 13
2.1.1 Creating Construction Geometry... 14
2.1.2 Creating Solid Geometry ... 19
2.1.4 Adding Features to Geometry ... 25
2.1.5 Working with Point Masses ... 26
2.2 Modifying Parts ... 26
2.2.1 Modifying Rigid Body Geometry ... 26
2.2.2 Modifying Part Properties ... 27
2.3 About Constraining Your Model ... 27
2.3.1 Types of Constraints ... 27
2.3.2 Accessing the Constraint Creation Tools ... 27
2.3.3 Working with Joints ... 28
2.4 Applying Forces to Your Model ... 37
2.4.1 Accessing the Force Tools ... 37
2.4.2 Constructing Applied Forces ... 38
2.4.3 Constructing Flexible Connectors ... 41
3 Simulating Models in ADAMS/View ... 43
3.1 Types of Simulations ... 43
3.2 Accessing the Simulation Controls ... 44
3.3 Performing an Interactive Simulation ... 45
3.4 Viewing and Controlling Animations ... 46
3.4.1 About Animating Your Simulation Results ... 46
3.4.2 Accessing the Animation Controls ... 47
3.4.3 Playing Animations ... 47
4 Examples ... 49
4.1 The Latch Design Problem ... 49
4.1.1 Introducing the Latch Design Problem ... 49
4.1.2 Building Model ... 50
4.1.3 Testing Your First Prototype ... 55
4.1.4 Validating Results Against Physical Test Data ... 59
4.1.5 Refining Your Design ... 62
4.1.6 Iterating Your Design ... 63
4.1.7 Optimizing Your Design ... 66
4.2 The Front Suspension Design Problem ... 70
4.2.1 Introducing the Front Suspension Design Problem ... 70
4.2.3 Testing the Front Suspension ... 76
4.3 The Full Vehicle Design Problem ... 83
4.3.1 Creating Chassis Model ... 83
4.3.2 Creating Front Suspension Model ... 85
4.3.3 Creating Steering System Model ... 88
4.3.4 Creating Rear Suspension Model ... 92
4.3.5 Creating Tire and Road ... 83
4.3.6 Testing the Full Vehicle ... 101
Section II - ADAMS/Car
5 Introduce ADAMS/Car ... 106
5.1 What is ADAMS/Car? ... 106
5.2 What You Can Do with ADAMS/Car ... 107
5.3 How You Benefit from Using ADAMS/Car ... 108
6 Introducing Analyses in ADAMS/Car ... 109
6.1 About ADAMS/Car Analyses ... 109
6.2 Types of Analyses ... 109
6.3 Introducing Suspension Analyses ... 110
6.3.1 Suspension Analysis Process ... 110
6.3.2 Suspension Assembly Roles ... 111
6.3.3 Setting Suspension Parameters ... 111
6.3.4 Submitting Suspension Analyses ... 111
6.4 Introducing Full-Vehicle Analyses ... 114
6.4.1 Full-Vehicle Analysis Process ... 114
6.4.2 About the Full-Vehicle Analyses ... 114
7 Creating and Simulating Suspensions ... 121
7.1 Starting ADAMS/Car Standard Interface ... 121
7.2 Creating Suspension Assemblies ... 121
7.2.1 Creating a New Front Suspension Subsystem ... 121
7.3 Performing a Baseline Parallel Wheel Travel Analysis ... 125
7.3.1 Defining Vehicle Parameters ... 125
7.3.2 Performing the Analysis ... 126
7.3.3 Animating the Results ... 127
7.4 Performing a Baseline Pull Analysis ... 127
7.4.1 Defining a Loadcase File ... 127
7.4.2 Performing the Analysis ... 129
7.4.3 Animating the Results ... 130
7.5 Modifying the Suspension and Steering Subsystem ... 130
7.5.1 Modifying Hardpoint Locations ... 130
7.5.2 Saving the Modified Subsystem ... 131
7.6 Performing an Analysis on the Modified Assembly ... 131
8 Template Builder Tutorial ... 133
8.1 Starting ADAMS/Car Template Builder ... 133
8.2 Creating Topology for Your Template ... 134
8.2.1 Creating a Template ... 134
8.2.2 Building Suspension Parts ... 135
8.2.3 Creating the Wheel Carrier ... 138
8.2.4 Creating the Strut... 139
8.2.5 Creating the Damper ... 140
8.2.6 Defining the Spring ... 140
8.2.7 Creating the Tie Rod ... 141
8.2.8 Creating the Toe and Camber Variables ... 142
8.2.9 Creating the Hub ... 142
8.2.10 Creating and Defining Attachments and Parameters ... 143
8.3 Creating a Suspension Subsystem... 148
9 Creating and Simulating Full Vehicles ... 151
9.1 A Full-Vehicle Assembly ... 151
9.2 Performing a Single Lane-Change Analysis ... 153
9.3 Performing a Step Steer Analysis ... 155
9.4 Performing a Quasi-Static Steady-State Cornering Analysis ... 156
9.5 Performing a Baseline ISO Lane-Change Analysis ... 156
APPENDIX A: ADAMS/View keyboard shortcuts ... 159
APPENDIX B: ADAMS/Car keyboard shortcuts ... 162
REFERENCES ... 164
SectionⅠ- ADAMS/View
1 ADAMS/View Basics
ADAMS/View is a powerful modeling and simulating environment that lets you build, simulate, and refine models of mechanical systems.
1.1 Introducing ADAMS/View
ADAMS/View lets you build models of mechanical systems and simulate the full-motion behavior of the models. You can also use ADAMS/View to quickly analyze multiple design variations until you find the optimal design. This chapter introduces you to ADAMS/View. It includes the sections:
Steps in Modeling and Simulating Build Your Model
Test and Validate Your Model Refine Your Model and Iterate
Customize and Automate ADAMS/View
1.1.1 Steps in Modeling and Simulating
The steps that you use in ADAMS/View to create a model mirror the same steps that you would use to build a physical prototype. These steps are shown in Figure 1.
Although we’ve listed the steps that you perform to create a model as though you create the entire model at once and then test and refine it, we recommend that you build and test small elements or subsystems of your model before you build the entire model. For example, create a few modeling objects, connect them together, and then run a simple simulation to test their motion and ensure that you are connecting them correctly. Once these are modeled correctly, add more complexity to your model. By starting out slowly, you can ensure that each subsystem works before moving on to the next step. We call this the crawl-walk-run approach.
1.1.2 Build Your Model
Creating the Parts of Your Model
Adding Constraints and Motions to Mandate Part Movements Adding Forces that Induce or Resist Part Movements
Figure 1.1 Steps in Modeling and Simulating
Each of these processes is explained below.
Creating the Parts of Your Model
(parts) in your mechanical system. You can build the geometry using:
(1) ADAMS/View library of parts to create the simpler elements of your model. (2) ADAMS/Exchange to import CAD geometry and realistically view the
behavior of your model.
Adding Constraints and Motions to Mandate Part Movements
Constraints define how parts are attached and how they are allowed to move relative to each other. ADAMS/View provides a library of constraints including:
(1) Idealized joints that have a physical counterpart, such as a revolute (hinge) or
translational joint (sliding dovetail).
(2) Joint primitives that place a restriction on relative motion, such as the
restriction that one part always moves parallel to another part.
(3) Motions generators that drive your model through a prescribed distance,
velocity, or acceleration as a function of time.
(4) Associative constraints that define how pairs of constraints move, such a
couplers or gears.
(5) Two-dimensional curve constraints that define how a point or curve moves
along another curve.
Adding Forces that Induce or Resist Part Movements
You can also apply forces that act on your model. These forces will affect part motion and reaction forces on constraints. ADAMS/View provides you with libraries of forces that include:
(1) Flexible connectors, such as spring-dampers and bushings, those provide
pre-defined, compliant force relationships.
(2) Special forces, such as aerodynamic force, that provide pre-defined forces that
are commonly encountered.
(3) Applied forces that allow you to write your own equations to represent a wide
variety of force relationships. To help you write force equations, we’ve provided a Function Builder, which steps you through writing a function and evaluates the function before adding it to your model.
(4) Contacts that specify how bodies react when they come in contact with one
another when the model is in motion.
1.1.3 Test and Validate Your Model
After you create your model or at any point in the modeling process, you can run tests of your model to ensure that it was created correctly and to verify its system characteristics. You test your model by:
Defining Results to Be Output Performing a Simulation
Reviewing the Simulation Results Validating Simulation Results
Defining Results to Be Output
When you run a simulation of your model, ADAMS/View automatically calculates predefined information for the objects in your model, such as displacements and velocities. You can also define measures or requests that ADAMS/View tracks during a simulation. You can measure almost any characteristic of the objects in your model, such as the force applied to a spring or the distance or angle between objects. As you run the simulation, ADAMS/View displays strip charts of the measures that you requested so you can view the results as the simulation occurs.
Performing a Simulation
After creating your model or at any point in the modeling process, you can run a simulation of the model to verify its:
Performance characteristics
Response to a set of operating conditions
To perform a simulation, ADAMS/View submits the model to MDI’s analysis engine, ADAMS/Solver, which formulates and solves the equations of motion for the model. As ADAMS/Solver performs the analysis, ADAMS/View displays an animation of your model in motion and displays strip charts tracking the measures that you specified.
ADAMS/View provides many different categories of simulations, including dynamic simulations, which calculate the dynamic motion of your model, static equilibrium simulations, and more. You can even use ADAMS/View to help you assemble your model.
Reviewing the Simulation Results
After a simulation is complete, you can rerun the animation of the simulation, pause it at any frame in the animation, or change the camera angle. In addition, you can view the results of the simulation by plotting them in ADAMS/PostProcessor.
ADAMS/PostProcessor lets you plot all of the measures that you specified, as well as plot the result components that ADAMS/View automatically generates during a simulation. ADAMS/PostProcessor lets you zoom in on your plot, plot any of the result components against any other data, and view statistics about data in the plot, such as the slope of the curve or the curve’s minimum and maximum values. A plot can contain multiple axes and you can construct Bode and fast fourier transform (FFT) plots.
Validating Simulation Results
You can import numeric results from physical tests of a mechanical system and compare them to the results of simulations in ADAMS/View to validate the accuracy of your model. You can plot the test data over the ADAMS/View simulation results for quick and easy comparison.
1.1.4 Refine Your Model and Iterate
After you have run initial simulations to determine the basic motion of your model, you can refine your model by adding more complexity to it, such as adding friction between bodies and defining control systems using linear or general state equations. You can also enhance its realism by changing rigid bodies to flexible bodies or joints to flexible connectors. To help you compare alternative designs, you can build in parameters that change automatically as you change your model. The parameters can be defined using:
Design points - Design points allow you to build automatic parameterization between
objects, as well as position and orient objects. They help you explore the effects of the geometry and mechanical layout of your model. When you change the position of a design point, the position of all objects defined relative to it automatically change.
Design variables - Design variables allow you to vary any aspect of a modeling object.
For example, you can define a variable for the width of a link or for the stiffness of a spring. You can then run a design study that changes a single variable over a range of values to investigate the sensitivity of the design to changes in this variable.
Optimize Your Model
ADAMS/View provides tools that help you find the optimal design for your mechanical system:
(1) Design of experiments - Helps you to understand which design variables have
the greatest impact on a design objective.
(2) Optimization - Helps you find an optimal design. You define the design
objective and specify the parameters of the model that can change.
These tools automatically run several simulations, varying one or more modeling variables with each new simulation.
1.1.5 Customize and Automate ADAMS/View
You can customize ADAMS/View so that it works and looks the way you want it to and mimics your design environment. There are four major ways to customize it. You can:
(1) Customize the graphical interface - For example, you can create your own set
of menus or dialog boxes.
(2) Automate your work using macros - You can also speed up your work by
creating macros to perform complex or repetitive tasks. You can edit the macros to include design variables to further customize and automate the modeling process.
(3) Create your own ADAMS/View executable - The executable you create can
read in different ADAMS/View functions and execute commands.
reads when it first starts. These files can automatically load a model, execute commands, or change menus or dialog boxes.
1.2 Working with the ADAMS/View
This chapter explains how to use the basic features of ADAMS/View.
1.2.1 Starting ADAMS/View
You or your system administrator can customize how you start ADAMS/View and how ADAMS/View looks after you start it.
To start ADAMS/View in Windows:
On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to ADAMS 12.0, point to AView, and then select
ADAMS - View.
Starting a New Modeling Session
When you start ADAMS/View, ADAMS/View displays a Welcome dialog box that lets you create a new modeling database or use an existing one. The Welcome dialog box also lets you import modeling data and specify your working directory.
ADAMS/View also displays the Welcome dialog box when you use the New Database command to create a new modeling database in which to store your models. The Welcome dialog box is shown below.
1.2.2 ADAMS/View Main Window
After you start ADAMS/View, the ADAMS/View main window appears. Figure 1.2 shows the default window. Your window may look different if it was customized.
The elements in the ADAMS/View main window are described below.
(1) Main toolbox - Displays commonly used tools for creating, editing, and
selecting modeling elements, as well as simulating the model and undoing operations. The tools are shortcuts to using the menus in the menu bar.
(2) Window title bar - Displays the title of the ADAMS/View main window.
(3) Menu bar - Contains the headings of each menu. The menus contain all the
ADAMS/View commands for creating, simulating, and refining your model. (4) Welcome dialog box - Steps you through starting your ADAMS/View session.
It appears when you first start ADAMS/View and when you create a new modeling database.
(5) View triad - Displays the orientation of the global coordinate system.
contains tools for displaying information, commands, and stopping an ADAMS/View operation.
Figure 1.2 Initial ADAMS/View Window
1.2.3 Starting a New Modeling Session
When you start ADAMS/View, ADAMS/View displays a Welcome dialog box that lets you create a new modeling database or use an existing one. The Welcome dialog box also lets you import modeling data and specify your working directory.
ADAMS/View also displays the Welcome dialog box when you use the New Database command to create a new modeling database in which to store your models. The Welcome dialog box is shown below.
Figure 1.3. Welcome Dialog Box
Select one of the options explained in Table 1.1 to indicate how you’d like to start using ADAMS/View, and then select OK.
Table 1.1 Options in Welcome Dialog Box The option: Does the following:
Create a new model Lets you start a new modeling session with a new
modeling database. Follow Steps 2 and 3 to create the new modeling database.
Open an existing database
Lets you open an existing modeling database. For more information on opening existing databases.
Import a file Lets you start a new modeling session by reading in a model from an ADAMS/View command file or an ADAMS/Solver dataset.
Exit Lets you exit ADAMS/View without performing an operation.
If you selected to create a new model, do the following:
(1) In the Model name text box, enter the name you want assigned to the new model. You can enter up to 80 alphanumeric characters. You cannot include special characters, such as spaces or periods.
(2) Select the gravity settings for the new model. You can select: Earth Normal - Sets the gravity to 1 G downward.
No Gravity - Turns off the gravitational force.
Other - Lets you set the gravity as desired. The Gravity Settings dialog box appears after you select OK on the Welcome dialog box.
in seconds and angles are in degrees. You can set:
MMKS - Sets length to millimeter, mass to kilogram, and force to Newton. MKS - Sets length to meter, mass to kilogram, and force to Newton. CGS - Sets length to centimeter, mass to gram, and force to Dyne. IPS - Sets length to inch, mass to slug, and force to PoundForce.
1.3 Defining the Modeling Environment
When you start a new session with ADAMS/View, it asks you to define your modeling environment by specifying your unit system and gravitational force. Anytime you are working with ADAMS/View you can redefine the modeling environment. The next sections explain how to set up your modeling environment.
1.3.1 Specifying the Type of Coordinate System
When you first start ADAMS/View, it displays a view triad in the lower left corner. The view triad displays the global coordinate system for the modeling database. By default, ADAMS/View uses a Cartesian coordinate system as the global coordinate system with three axes (x, y, and z). ADAMS/View attaches the ground part to the global coordinates system and by default positions all other modeling objects to it.
You can change the default coordinate system from Cartesian to cylindrical or spherical. ADAMS/View uses the default system for any values you enter and any values it displays. ADAMS/View also uses the default system for values when importing and exporting data.
1. Types of Coordinate Systems
ADAMS/View lets you specify locations using three different types of coordinate systems: Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical. By default, ADAMS/View uses the Cartesian coordinate system.
Cartesian Coordinates Cylindrical Coordinate System Spherical Coordinate System
2. About Orientation Angles and Rotations
ADAMS/View uses three orientation angles to perform three rotations about the axes of a coordinate system. These rotations can be space-fixed or body-fixed.
Space-fixed rotation: ADAMS/View applies the rotations about axes that remain in their original orientation.
Body-fixed rotation: ADAMS/View applies the rotations about axes that move with the body as it rotates. As ADAMS/View applies each rotation to an axis, it produces a new set of axes.
You specify the order in which axes are rotated about as a sequence of three numbers (1,2,3), which correspond to x-, y-, and z-axes, respectively. For example, a rotation order of 313 produces rotations about the z-, then x-, and then y-axis. ADAMS/View provides you with a set of 24 rotation sequences from which to choose. The most commonly used rotation sequence, body 313, is the default sequence.
The right-hand rule defines the direction of positive rotation about each axis.
3. Setting the Default Coordinate System
1) Do one of the following:
On the Settings menu, select Coordinate System.
On the Move tool stack, select the Coordinate System tool . The Coordinate Systems Setting dialog box appears.
2) Select the type of location coordinate systems.
3) Select the type of orientation coordinates and rotation sequence. 4) Select OK.
1.3.2 Setting Units of Measurement
You can set the units that ADAMS/View uses to define dimensions. ADAMS/View comes with a predefined set of units. You can change the system of units you are using any time during the modeling process.
To set the unit of measurement in ADAMS/View:
2) Select the unit of measurement for each of the dimensions. 3) Select OK.
Units of Measurement in ADAMS/View
The units of measurement that ADAMS/View provides for you are shown in Table 1.2. It also shows the default units used when you start a new session with a new modeling database.
Table 1.2 Standard Units of Measurement
For the
dimension: Its supported units are: The default unit is: Length Meter, Millimeter, Centimeter,
Kilometer, Inch, Foot, Mile
Millimeter
Mass Kilogram, Gram, PoundMass, OunceMass, Slug, KilopoundMass
Kilogram
Force Newton, KilogramForce, Dyne, PoundForce, OunceForce, KiloNewton, KilopoundForce, MilliNewton
Newton
Time Second, Minute, Hour, Millisecond Second
Angle Radian, Degree Degree
Frequency Radians per second, Hertz Radians per second
1.3.3 Specifying Gravitational Force
You can specify the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of gravity. For each part with mass, the gravitational force produces a point force at its center of mass.
To turn on and specify the gravitational force:
1) Do one of the following:
On the Settings menu, select Gravity.
The Gravity Settings dialog box appears.
2) Select the Gravity check box to turn on gravity.
3) Set the acceleration of the gravity in the x, y, and z directions with respect to the global coordinate system.
4) Select OK.
1.3.4 Specifying Working Directory
By default, ADAMS/View searches for and saves all files in the directory from which you ran ADAMS/View. You can change the working directory.
To change the working directory for the current session:
1) On the File menu, select Select Directory.
2) Select the directory in which ADAMS/View should save files. 3) Select OK.
2 Building Models in ADAMS/View
ADAMS/View provides a complete library of parts that you can create. ADAMS/View provides you with three different types of parts.
Rigid Bodies: Parts in your models that have mass and inertia properties. They cannot deform.
Flexible Bodies: Parts that have mass and inertia properties and can bend when forces are applied to them. Basic ADAMS/View provides you with the ability to create discrete flexible links. For more functionality, you can purchase ADAMS/Flex.
Point Masses: Parts that have only mass. They have no extent and, therefore, no inertia properties.
In addition, ADAMS/View provides a ground part that is already created for you. The ground part is the only part in your model that must remain stationary at all times. ADAMS/View creates the ground part automatically when you create a model. You can also define a new or existing part as ground. The ground part does not have mass properties or initial velocities and does not add degrees of freedom into your model.
2.1 Creating Parts
You can create rigid body geometry using the tools on the Geometric Modeling palette or the Geometric Modeling tool stack on the Main toolbox. The palette and tool stack contain the same tools so you can choose whichever one you are most comfortable using. The Geometric Modeling palette and tool stack are shown in figure 2.1.
As you create geometry, ADAMS/View provides settings to assist you in defining the geometry. It provides the settings in a container at the bottom of the palette or Main toolbox. The settings change depending on the type of geometry that you are creating. For example, Figure 2.1 shows the length, width, and depth values associated with creating link geometry.
You can use the settings to control how you want ADAMS/View to define the geometry. For example, when you create a link, ADAMS/View lets you specify its width, length, and height before creating it. Then, as you create the link, these dimensions are set regardless of how you move the mouse. You can also define design variables or expressions for these setting values.
To display the Geometric Modeling palette:
To display the contents of the Geometric Modeling tool stack:
From the Main toolbox, right-click the Geometric Modeling tool stacks. By default, the Link tool appears at the top of the tool stack.
Geometric Modeling palette Geometric Modeling tool stack on Main toolbox
Figure 2.1 Geometric Modeling Palette and Tool Stack
2.1.1 Creating Construction Geometry
You can create several types of construction geometry. You draw construction geometry normal to the screen or the working grid.
Types of construction geometry are shown in table 2.1.
The next sections explain how to create construction geometry. Defining Points
Defining Coordinate System Markers Creating Lines and Polylines
Creating Arcs and Circles Creating Splines
Type Tool An example Parameters Specified
Points Attach Near/Don’t Attach
Location, Parent Part
Markers Orientation, Location,
Parent Part
Polylines
One Line/Multiple Lines, Open/Closed, Length, Vertex Points Angle, Parent Part
Arcs Radius, Start and End Angle,
Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Splines Open/Closed, Knot Points,
Anchor CSM, Parent Part
1. Defining Points
Points define locations in three-dimensional space upon which you can build your model. They allow you to build parameterization between objects, as well as position objects. For example, you can attach a link to points so that each time you move the points, the link’s geometry changes accordingly. You can also use points to define the location where modeling objects connect, such as the point where a joint connects two parts. Points do not define an orientation, only a location.
As you create a point, you define whether ADAMS/View should add it to ground or to another part. In addition, you specify whether other parts near the same location should be attached (parameterized) to the point. If you attach other bodies to the point, then the location of those bodies is tied to the location of that point. As you change the location of the point, the location of all attached bodies change accordingly.
To quickly access the Table Editor:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack, select the Point tool . 2) From the settings container, select Point Table.
To create a point:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Point tool . 2) In the settings container, specify the following:
Whether you want the point added to ground or to another part in your model. Whether you want to attach nearby objects to the point.
4) Place the cursor where you want the point to be located and click the mouse button.
2. Defining Coordinate System Markers
You can create a marker defining a local coordinate system on any part in your model or ground. The marker has a location (the origin of the coordinate system) and an orientation. ADAMS/View automatically creates markers at the center of mass of all solid geometry and at anchor points on geometry that define the location of the object in space. For example, a link has three markers: two at its endpoints and one at its center of mass. ADAMS/View also creates markers automatically for you when you constrain objects, such as add a joint between parts.
ADAMS/View displays markers as triads. Figure 2.2 shows how markers appear for boxes and links.
Figure 2.2 Marker Screen Icons
You create markers by specifying their location and orientation. You can align the orientation of the marker with the global coordinate system, the current view coordinate system, or a coordinate system that you define. When you define a coordinate system, you specify one or two of its axes and ADAMS/View calculates the other axes accordingly. ADAMS/View assigns the marker a default name. The default name is MARKER followed by a number representing the marker (for example, MARKER_1, MARKER_2, and so on).
To create a marker:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Marker tool . 2) In the settings container, specify the following:
Whether you want the marker added to ground or to another part in your model. How you want to orient the marker. From the Orientation option menu, select an
orientation method.
3) If you selected to add the marker to a part, select the part to which you want to add the marker.
4) Place the cursor where you want the marker to be located and click.
5) If you selected to orient the marker to anything other than the global or view coordinate system, select the directions along which you want to align the marker’s axes. Do this for each axis that you selected to specify.
3. Creating Lines and Polylines
open or closed polylines (polygons).
To draw a single line:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Polyline tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
Set the type of line to be drawn to One Line. If desired, set the length and angle of the line.
3) Position the cursor where you want the line to begin and click. 4) Move the cursor in the direction you want to draw the line.
5) When the line is the desired length and orientation, click again to end the line.
To draw an open or closed polyline:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Polyline tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
Set the type of line to be drawn to Polyline. If desired, set the length of the line segments.
Select whether you want a closed polyline (polygon) by selecting Closed. 3) Position the cursor where you want the polyline to begin and click.
4) To create the first line segment, drag the cursor and click to select its endpoint. 5) To add line segments to the polyline, continue dragging the cursor and clicking. 6) To stop drawing and create the open or closed polyline, right-click. If you selected to create a closed polyline, ADAMS/View automatically draws a line segment between the last and first points to close the polyline. Note that clicking the right mouse button does not create another point.
4. Creating Arcs and Circles
You can create arcs and circles centered about a location. You begin drawing an arc by specifying its starting and ending angles. You then indicate its center location and set its radius and the orientation of its x axis. You can also specify the arc’s radius before you draw it. ADAMS/View draws the angle starting from the x-axis that you specify and moving counterclockwise (right-hand rule).
To draw an arc:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Arc tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground. By default, ADAMS/View creates a new part.
If desired, set the radius of the arc.
Specify the starting and ending angles of the arc. The default is to create a 90-degree arc from a starting angle of 0 degrees.
3) Click where you want the center of the arc and then drag the mouse to define the radius of the arc and the orientation of the x-axis. ADAMS/View displays a line on the screen to indicate the x-axis. If you specified the radius of the arc in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains that radius regardless of how you drag the mouse.
4) When the radius is the desired size, click.
To draw a circle:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Arc tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part or add the geometry to an existing part. By default, ADAMS/View creates a new part.
If desired, set the radius of the circle. Select Circle.
3) Click where you want the center of the circle and then drag the mouse to define the radius of the circle. If you specified the radius of the circle in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains that radius regardless of how you drag the mouse.
4) When the radius is the desired size, click.
5. Creating Splines
A spline is a smooth curve that a set of location coordinates define. You create splines by defining the locations of the coordinates that define the curve or by selecting an existing geometric curve and specifying the number of points to be used to define the spline.
To create a spline by selecting points on the screen:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Spline tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
Select whether you want the spline to be closed or open.
3) Place the cursor where you want to begin drawing the spline and click.
4) Click the locations where you want the spline to pass through. You must specify at least eight locations for a closed spline and four locations for an open spline.
5) To stop drawing the spline, right-click.
To create a spline by selecting an existing curve:
2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
Select whether you want the spline to be closed or open. Select to create a spline by selecting a curve.
In the # Points text box, set how many points you want used to define the curve or clear the selection of Spread Points and let ADAMS/View calculate the number of points needed.
3) Select the curve.
2.1.2 Creating Solid Geometry
Solid geometries are three-dimensional objects. You can create solid geometry from ADAMS/View library of solids or extrude closed wire geometry into a solid. In addition, you can combine solid geometry into more complex geometry or modify the geometry by adding features, such as fillets or chamfers.
Types of solid Geometry in ADAMS/View are shown in table 2.2.
Table2.2 ADAMS/View Solid Geometry
Type Tool An example Parameters
Box
Length (x), Height (y), Depth(z),
Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Cylinders Length (z), Radius,
Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Spheres/ Ellipsoids
3-Diameters,
Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Frustums
Length(z), Bottom and Top Radii, Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Torus
Radius of Ring (xy plane), Radius of Circular
Cross-section ( to xy plane), Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Link
Width, Depth,2
Anchor CSM (Length), Parent Part
Plate
Thickness, Radius, Vertex Locations, Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Extrusion Open/Closed Profile, Depth,
Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Revolution
Open/Closed Profile, Sweep Angle, Anchor CSM, Parent Part
Two- Dimensional
Plane
Length (x), Height (y)
The following sections explain how to create solids from ADAMS/View library of solids.
1. Creating a Box To create a box:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Box tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
If desired, set any of length, height, or depth dimensions of the box.
3) Place the cursor where you want a corner of the box and click and hold down the left mouse button.
4) Drag the mouse to define the size of the box. If you specified any of the length, height, or depth dimensions of the box in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains those dimensions regardless of how you drag the mouse.
5) Release the mouse button when the box is the desired size.
2. Creating Two-Dimensional Plane To create a plane:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Plane tool .
2) In the settings container, specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
3) Place the cursor where you want a corner of the box and click and hold down the left mouse button.
4) Drag the mouse to define the size of the box.
5) Release the mouse button when the box is the desired size.
3. Creating a Cylinder To create a cylinder:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Cylinder tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground. By default, ADAMS/View creates a new part.
If desired, set the length or radius dimensions of the cylinder in the settings container.
3) Click where you want to begin drawing the cylinder.
4) Drag the mouse to size the cylinder. If you specified any of the length and radius dimensions of the cylinder in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains those dimensions regardless of how you drag the mouse.
5) When the cylinder is the desired size, click.
4. Creating a Sphere To create a sphere:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Sphere tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground. By default, ADAMS/View creates a new part.
If desired, set the radius of the sphere. 3) Click where you want the center of the sphere.
4) Drag the mouse to size the sphere. If you specified a radius dimension for the sphere in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains that dimension regardless of how you drag the mouse.
5) When the sphere is the desired size, click.
To create a frustum:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Frustum tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
If desired, set the length or radii of the frustum. 3) Click where you want to begin drawing the frustum.
4) Drag the mouse to size the frustum. If you specified the length or radii of the frustum in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains those dimensions regardless of how you drag the mouse.
5) When the frustum is the desired size, click.
6. Creating a Torus To create a torus:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Torus tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground. By default, ADAMS/View creates a new part.
If desired, set the inner and outer radii of the torus.
3) Place the cursor where you want the center of the torus and click.
4) Drag the mouse to define the radius of the torus. If you specified the radii of the torus in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains those dimensions regardless of how you drag the mouse.
5) When the torus is the desired size, click.
7. Creating a Link To create a link:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Link tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
If desired, set any of the length, width, or depth dimensions of the link. 3) Place the cursor where you want to begin drawing the link and click.
4) Drag the mouse until the link is the desired size and then release the mouse button. If you specified the length, width, and depth of the link in the settings container, ADAMS/View maintains those dimensions regardless of how you drag the mouse.
8. Creating a plate To create a plate:
2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
If desired, set the thickness or radius of the corners of the plate.
3) Place the cursor where you want the first corner of the plate and click the mouse button.
4) Click at each corner of the plate. You must specify at least three locations. 5) Continue selecting locations or right-click to close the plate.
9. Creating an Extrusion
To create an extrusion from existing curve geometry:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Extrusion tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
If desired, set the length (depth) of the extrusion.
Specify the direction you want the profile to be extruded from the current working grid.
3) Select the curve geometry.
To create an extrusion by selecting points:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Extrusion tool . 2) In the settings container, do the following:
Specify whether you want to create a new part composed of the geometry or add the geometry to an existing part or ground.
Specify whether or not you want to create a closed extrusion. If desired, set the length of the extrusion.
Specify the direction you want the profile to be extruded from the current working grid.
3) Place the cursor where you want to begin drawing the profile of the extrusion, and click.
4) Click at each vertex in the profile; then right-click to finish drawing the profile.
2.1.3 Creating Complex Geometry
ADAMS/View provides you with many ways in which you can take simple geometry and create complex geometry from it. You can create solid geometry that has mass from wire geometry or create complex, open geometry that has no mass.
You can link together wire construction geometry to create a complex profile, which you can then extrude. The geometry to be chained together must touch at one endpoint and cannot be closed geometry. ADAMS/View adds the final chained geometry to the part that owns the first geometry that you selected.
To chain wire geometry together:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Chain tool . 2) Click each piece of the wire geometry to be chained. The Dynamic Model Navigator highlights those objects in your model that can be chained as you move the cursor around the main window.
3) After selecting the geometry to be chained, right-click to create the chained geometry.
2. Combining Geometry
Once you have created individual parts of solid geometry, you can combine them into one part to create complex, solid geometry, referred to as constructive, solid geometry or CSG. ADAMS/View creates the solid geometry using Boolean operations, such as union and intersection.
(1) Creating One Part from the Union of Two Solids
ADAMS/View lets you create complex geometry by joining two intersecting solids. ADAMS/View merges the second part you select into the first part resulting in a single part. The union has a mass computed from the volume of the new solid. Any overlapping volume is only counted once.
To create a part from the union of two solids:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Union tool . 2) Select the solid geometry to be combined. As you move the cursor, the Dynamic Model Navigator highlights those objects that can be combined. The second part you select is combined into the first part.
(2) Creating One Part from the Intersection of Two Solids
ADAMS/View lets you intersect the geometry belonging to two solids to create a single part made up of only the intersecting geometries. ADAMS/View merges the second part that you select with the geometry of the first part that you select and forms one rigid body from the two geometries.
To create a part from the intersection of two overlapping solids:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Intersect tool . 2) Select the solid geometry to be combined. As you move the cursor, the Dynamic Model Navigator highlights those objects that can be combined. The second part you select is combined into the first part.
(3) Cutting a Solid from Another Solid
ADAMS/View lets you remove the volume where one solid intersects another solid to create a new solid. ADAMS/View subtracts the geometry of the second part that you select
from the geometry of the first part. The remaining geometry belongs to the second part that you selected.
To create a part from the difference of two solids:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Cut tool . 2) Select the solid geometry to be cut. As you move the cursor, the Dynamic Model Navigator highlights those objects that can be cut. The second part you select is cut from the first part.
(4) Splitting a Solid
After you’ve created a complex solid, often referred to as a CSG, using the Boolean operations explained in the previous sections, you can split the complex solid back into its primitive solids. ADAMS/View creates a part for each solid resulting from the split operation.
To split a complex solid:
1) From the Geometric Modeling tool stack or palette, select the Split tool . 2) Select the solid geometry to be split. The Dynamic Model Navigator highlights those objects in your model that can be split.
2.1.4 Adding Features to Geometry
You can add features to the solid geometry that you create, including chamfering the edges of the geometry, adding holes and bosses, and hollowing out solids.
Chamfering and Filleting Objects
You can create different types of edges and corners on your solids. These include beveled (chamfered) edges and corners and rounded (filleted) edges and corners. You can think of creating filleted edges as rolling a ball over the edges or corners of the geometry to round them.
When chamfering an edge or corner, you can set the width of the beveling. When filleting an edge or corner, you can specify a start and an end radius for the fillet to create a variable fillet.
Adding Holes and Bosses to Objects
You can create circular holes in solid objects and create circular protrusions or bosses on the face of solid objects. Examples of a hole and boss on a link are shown below.
As you create a hole, you can specify its radius and depth. As you create a boss, you can specify its radius and height.
Hollowing Out a Solid
You can hollow out one or more faces of a solid object to create a shell. As you hollow an object, you can specify the thickness of the remaining shell and the faces to be hollowed.
2.1.5 Working with Point Masses
Point masses are points that have mass but no inertia properties or angular velocities. They are computationally more efficient when rotational effects are not important.
To create or modify a point mass:
1) From the Build menu, point to Point Mass, and then select either New or Modify. 2) If you selected Modify, the Database Navigator appears. Select a point mass to modify.
The Create or Modify Point Mass dialog box appears. Both dialog boxes contain the same options.
3) If you are creating a point mass, enter a name for the point mass.
4) Set the mass of the point mass in the dialog box and adjust its location as desired. By default, ADAMS/View places the point mass in the center of the main window with a mass of 1 in current units.
5) Select the Comments tool on the dialog box and enter any comments you want
associated with the point mass. 6) Select OK.
2.2 Modifying Parts
Parts define the objects in your model that can have mass and inertia properties and can move. All forces and constraints that you define in your model act on these parts during a simulation. This chapter explains how to create and modify parts. It contains: modifying rigid body geometry, modifying part properties, setting up materials.
2.2.1 Modifying Rigid Body Geometry
You can modify the geometry of a rigid body using: using hotpoints to graphically modify geometry, using dialog boxes to precisely modify geometry, editing locations using the location table.
Using Hotpoints to Graphically Modify Geometry
You can use hotpoints to resize and reshape the geometry of a rigid body. The hotpoints appear at various locations on the geometry depending on the type of geometry.
Using Dialog Boxes to Precisely Modify Geometry
You can precisely control the size, location, and shape of rigid body geometry using modify dialog boxes. In addition, you can change the name of the geometry as you modify it.
Editing Locations Using the Location Table
can use the Location Table. The Location Table lets you view the points in the geometry and edit them. You can also save the location information to a file or read in location information from a file.
2.2.2 Modifying Part Properties
Each moving part in ADAMS/View can have the following properties in addition to having geometry:
Location and name Mass and inertia Initial velocities
Initial location and orientation
ADAMS/View automatically calculates the total mass of the part and its inertia based on the part’s volume and density. It also automatically calculates the initial velocity and position for the part based on any other initial conditions and connections in your model.
2.3 About Constraining Your Model
After you’ve created the parts for your model, you need to define how they are attached to one another and how they move relative to each other. You use constraints to specify part attachments and movement. This section explains the different types of constraints and how to add them to your model.
2.3.1 Types of Constraints
Constraints define how parts (rigid bodies, flexible bodies, and point masses) are attached to one another and how they are allowed to move relative to each other. Constraints restrict relative movement between parts and represent idealized connections.
ADAMS/View provides a library of constraints including:
Idealized joints - Have a physical counterpart, such as a revolute (hinge) or translational (sliding dovetail) joint.
Joint primitives - Place a restriction on relative motion, such as the restriction that one part must always move parallel to another part.
Motions generators - Drive your model. Higher-pair constraints
2.3.2 Accessing the Constraint Creation Tools
Motion tool stacks on the Main toolbox. The palette contains the entire library of
constraints while the tool stacks contain only subsets of the most commonly used constraints. The palette and tool stacks for creating constraints are shown in figure 2.3.
Figure 2.3 Constraint Palette and Tool Stacks To display the Joint palette:
From the Build menu, select Joints.
To display the contents of the Joint or Motion tool stack:
From the Main toolbox, right-click the Joint or Motion tool stack.
By default, the Revolute tool appears at the top of the Joint tool stack and the
Rotational Motion tool appears at the top of the Motion tool stack.
2.3.3 Working with Joints
Idealized joints are mathematical representations of joints that have physical counterparts, such as a revolute (hinge) or translational joint (sliding dovetail). ADAMS/View provides a
variety of idealized joints from which you can choose. The next sections explain the different types of joints and how to create and modify them.
2.3.3.1 Working with Idealized Joints
Idealized joints connect two parts. The parts can be rigid bodies, flexible bodies, or point masses. You can place idealized joints anywhere in your model. ADAMS/View supports two types of idealized joints: simple and complex.
Simple joints directly connect bodies and include the following:
Table1 2.3 Simple joints in ADAMS/View
Icon Idealized Joints An example DOF
Translational Revolute Revolute Joints 3 2 Translational Joints 2 3 Cylindrical Joints 2 2 Spherical Joints 3 0 Planar Joints 1 2 Constant-Velocity Joints 3 1
Screw Joints 3 2
Fixed Joints 3 3
Hooke Joint 3 1
Universal Joint 3 1
Complex joints indirectly connect parts by coupling simple joints. They include: Gear Joint and Coupler Joint. See table 2.4.
Table1 2.4 Complex joints in ADAMS/View
Icon Idealized Joints An example
Gear Joint
Coupler Joint
To create a simple idealized joint:
1) From the Joint tool stack or palette, select the joint tool representing the idealized joint that you want to create.
2) In the settings container, specify the following:
How you want the joint connected to parts. You can select the following:
ADAMS/View determine the two parts that should be connected. ADAMS/View selects the parts closest to the joint location. If there is only one part near the joint, ADAMS/View connects the joint to that part and ground.
2 Bodies - 1 Location - Lets you explicitly select the two parts to be connected by the joint and the location of the joint. The joint remains fixed on the first part and moves relative to the second part.
2 Bodies - 2 Locations - Lets you explicitly select the two parts to be connected by the joint and the location of the joint on each part. You should use this option if you are working in exploded view.
How you want the joint oriented. You can select:
Normal to Grid - Lets you orient the joint along the current working grid, if it is displayed, or normal to the screen.
Pick Geometry Feature - Lets you orient the joint along a direction vector on a feature in your model, such as the face of a part.
3) Select the first part to be connected using the left mouse button. If you selected to explicitly select the parts to be connected, select the second part in your model using the left mouse button.
4) Place the cursor where you want the joint to be located, and click the left mouse button. If you selected to specify its location on each part, place the cursor on the second location, and click the left mouse button.
5) If you selected to orient the joint along a direction vector on a feature, move the cursor around in your model to display an arrow representing the direction along a feature where you want the joint oriented. When the direction vector represents the correct orientation, click the left mouse button.
To create a gear joint:
1) To create a gear, select the Gear tool on the Joint tool stack or palette. The Constraint Create Complex Joint Gear dialog box appears.
2) In the Gear Name text box, enter or change the name for the gear. If you are creating a gear, ADAMS/View assigns a default name to the gear.
3) In the Adams Id text box, assign a unique ID number to the gear. The ID is an integer number used to identify the gear in the ADAMS/Solver dataset. You only need to specify an ADAMS ID if you are exporting the model to an ADAMS/Solver dataset, and you want to control the numbering scheme used in the file.
Enter a positive integer for the ID or enter 0 to let ADAMS set the ID for you.
4) In the Comments text box, add or change any comments about the gear to help you manage and identify the gear. You can enter any alphanumeric characters. The comments appear in the information window when you select to display information about the gear, in the ADAMS/View log file, and in a command or dataset file when you export your model
to these types of files.
5) In the Joint Name text box, enter or change the two translational, revolute, or cylindrical joints to be geared together. ADAMS/View automatically separates the joint names with a comma (,).
6) In the Common Velocity Marker text box, enter or change the marker defining the point of contact between the geared parts. You need to make sure the z-axis of the common velocity marker points in the direction of motion of the gear teeth that are in contact.
To create a marker, right-click the Common Velocity Marker text box, and then select
Create.
7) Select OK.
To create a coupler joint:
1) From the Joint tool stack or palette, select the Coupler tool . 2) Select the driver joint to which the second joint is coupled. 3) Select the coupled joint that follows the driver joint.
2.3.3.2 Working with Joint Primitives
A joint primitive places a restriction on relative motion, such as restricting one part to always move parallel to another part. The joint primitives do not have physical counterparts as the idealized joints do. You can, however, combine joint primitives to define a complex constraint that cannot be modeled using the idealized joints.
Table 2.5 lists the different types of joint primitives that are available in ADAMS/View.
Table1 2.5 Joint Primitives in ADAMS/View
Icon The primitive An example Constrains the following DOF T R
Inline
One part so that it can only move along a straight line defined on a second part. The location of the inline joint on the first part must remain on the z-axis of the second part.
2 0
Inplane
One part so that it can only move in a plane of a second part. The origin of the inplane joint on the first part must remain in the xy plane of the second part.
Orientation
The coordinate system of one part so that it cannot rotate with respect to a second part. The axes of the coordinate systems must maintain the same orientation. The location of the origins of the coordinate systems does not matter.
2 2
Parallel axes
The z-axis of the coordinate system of one part so that it remains parallel to the z-axis of the coordinate system of a second part. The coordinate system of the first part can only rotate about one axis with respect to the coordinate system of the second part.
3 0
Perpendicular axes
The coordinate system of one part so that it remains
perpendicular to the z-axis of a second part. The coordinate system of the first part can rotate about two axes with respect to the second part.
1 2
To create a joint primitive:
1) From the Joint palette, select the joint primitive tool representing the joint that you want to create.
2) In the settings container, specify the following:
How you want the joint connected to parts. You can select the following:
1 Location - Bodies implicit - Lets you select the location of the joint and have ADAMS/View determine the two parts that should be connected. ADAMS/View selects the parts closest to the joint location. If there is only one part near the joint, ADAMS/View connects the joint to that part and ground.
2 Bodies - 1 Location - Lets you explicitly select the two parts to be connected by the joint and the location of the joint.
2 Bodies - 2 Locations - Lets you explicitly select the two parts to be connected by the joint and the location of the joint on each part. You should use this option if you are working in exploded view.
How you want the joint oriented. You can select:
Normal to Grid - Lets you orient the joint along the current working grid, if it is displayed, or normal to the screen.
Pick Geometry Feature - Lets you orient the joint along a direction vector on a feature in your model, such as the face of a part.
3) If you selected to explicitly select the parts to be connected, select each part in your model using the left mouse button.
4) Place the cursor where you want the joint to be located, and click the left mouse button. If you selected to specify its location on each part, place the cursor on the second location and click the left mouse button.
5) If you selected to orient the joint along a direction vector on a feature, move the cursor around in your model to display an arrow representing the direction along a feature where you want the joint oriented. When the direction vector represents the correct orientation, click the left mouse button.
ADAMS/View creates the joint at the specified location.
2.3.3.3 Working with Higher-Pair Constraints
ADAMS/View provides you with two types of higher-pair constraints: point curve and 2D curve-curve. See table 2.6.
Table1 2.6 Higher-Pair Constraints in ADAMS/View
Icon Higher-Pair
Constraints An example Constrains the following
pin-in-slot
The point-curve constraint restricts a fixed point defined on one part to lie on a curve defined on a second part. The first part is free to roll and slide on the curve that is fixed to a second part. The curve on the second part can be planar or spatial, or open or closed.
A point-curve constraint removes two translational DOF from your model. Point-Follower
2D curve-curve
A 2D curve-curve constraint restricts a curve defined on the first part to remain in contact with a second curve defined on a second part. The curve-curve constraint is useful for modeling cams where the point of contact between two parts changes during the motion of the mechanism. The curve-curve constraint removes three DOF from your model.
To create a point-curve constraint:
1) From the Joint palette, select the Point-Curve Constraint tool .
2) In the settings container, set whether or not you will be selecting an edge or curve: Curves - Splines, chains, and data-element curves are all considered curves. Edge - An edge is one of the wireframe outlines drawn on a solid.
3) Select a point on a part that will travel along a curve.
4) Select the curve or edge along which the point will travel. The curve can be closed or open. Note that when you select a closed curve, the Dynamic Model Navigator highlights only a portion of the curve. ADAMS/View will use the entire curve.
To create a 2D Curve-Curve constraint:
1) From the Joint palette, select the 2D Curve-Curve Constraint tool .
2) In the settings container, for each part, set whether or not you will be selecting an edge or curve:
Curves - Splines, chains, and data-element curves are all considered curves. Edge - An edge is one of the wireframe outlines drawn on a solid.
3) For a curve-on-curve cam, select a curve or edge that will travel along a second curve. 4) Select the curve along which the first curve will travel. The curve can be closed or open. Note that when you select a closed curve, the Dynamic Model Navigator highlights only a portion of the curve. ADAMS/View will use the entire curve.
2.3.3.4 Working with Motions generators
A motion generator dictates the movement of a part as a function of time. It supplies whatever force is required to make the part satisfy the motion.
ADAMS/View provides you with the following types of motion:
Joint Motion - Prescribes translational or rotational motion on a translational, revolute, or cylindrical joint. Each joint motion removes one DOF from your model. Joint motions are very easy to create, but they limit you to motions that are applied to the above listed joints and movements in only one direction or rotation.
Point Motion - Prescribes the movement between two parts. When you create a point motion, you specify the direction along which the motion occurs. You can impose a point motion on any type of idealized joint, such as a spherical or cylindrical. Point motions enable you to build complex movements into your model without having to add joints or invisible parts.
1. Joint Motion
You can create two types of joint motion.
Translational - For a translational motion, ADAMS/View moves the first part that the joint connects along the z-axis of the second part.
Rotational - For a rotational motion, ADAMS/View rotates the first part that the
joint connects about the z-axis of a second part. The right-hand rule determines the sign of the motion. The z-axis of the first part must be aligned with the z-axis of the