Force-Data FB

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Force-Data FB

Why add a Force-Data FB?

See also: Force-Data FB dialog

Use a Force-Data FB to measure, over a machine-cycle, the force* that acts ON a Point** at a Force element***.

Use a Graph FB to plot the force* over a machine-cycle.

* Kinetostatic Force or Torque data

** Point, start-Point, end-Point

*** Force elements are: Pin-Joints, Slide-Joints, 2D-Cams, Springs, and pulleys.

See also:

Configure the Power Source

Kinetostatic Forces are those forces that arise when Parts with mass and mass moment of inertia move with a prescribed motion or a Spring acts between Points that are internal and external to the kinematic-chain. The moving Parts and the machine frame are perfectly rigid, there is no backlash in the joints, and the prescribed motion is followed perfectly.

In MechDesigner, “Dynamics” relates to the motions and forces in Parts that have a vibrational response to a prescribed motion - see Dynamics for Dynamic Forces and Torques.

Add (and Edit) a Force-Data FB

Force-Data FB in graphic-area

Force-Data FB in graphic-area

STEP 1: Add the Force-Data FB to the graphics-area.

MD-Icon-Force-FB-ForcesData

1.Click Forces menu > Force-Data

OR

1.Click Forces toolbar > Add Force-Data FB

Then:

2.Click the graphics-area

The Force-Data FB is now in the graphics-area.
Doube-click to edit Force-Data FB

Doube-click to edit Force-Data FB

STEP 2.Open the Force-Data FB dialog

1.Double-click the Force-Data FB to open the Force-Data dialog.

OR

See 'How to open a dialog'
Force-Data FB dialog

Force-Data FB dialog

STEP 3.Link the Force-Data FB to a Force-Element and a Point

A.Select a Force-Element

Force-elements include: Pin-Joint, Slide-Joint, 2D-Cam, Spring, Pulley, Rack-Pinion,

1.Click a Force-element in the graphics-area or the Assembly-Tree

A list of Available Points shows in the box below.

B.Select a Point in the box of Available Points

Even if a Point shows in the Selected Force Output Element box:

1.Click a Point in the box of Available Points

If you select a:

•Pin-Joint - there are two(2) Available Points
One Point on each Line that radiate from the Pin-Joint

If the Pin-Joint is a Power-Source - the F0rce-Data FB plots the Torque that a motor must apply to bring the kinematic-chain into equilibrium,  or the the Application Load, depending on which Point you select in the dialog.

•Slide-Joint - there are four(4) Available Points
Two Points on each Line that are collinear with the Slide-Joint

•2D-Cam - there are zero(0) Available Points
We select the Contact Point

•Spring FB - there are two(2) Available Points
The Spring's anchor Points

•Rack-Pinion - there are two(2) Available Points
A Contact-Points in each Part of the Rack and Pinion

C.Complete the command

3.Click OK-tiny-11-15 to close the Force-Data FB