Linking a Motion to a Motion-Part

Motions are defined in our code with mathematical functions. You do not need to know the mathematics. The functions are displayed as graphs in MotionDesigner.

Each function has an input from which we get the variable output. The input to the function is a value on the X-axis of the motion graph. The output from the function is a value on the Y-axis.

To make a part in MechDesigner move with the motion as specified in the motion-graph in MotionDesigner, we must link the motion to a Motion FB in the MechDesigner model.

•The motion-values at the input-connector of a Motion FB are the X–axis values of the motion-graph.
•The motion-values at the output-connector of a Motion FB become the Y–axis values of the motion-graph.

In MechDesigner model, we connect the Motion FB to other FBs with wires to give the motion-values to a Motion-Part or Motion-Point, and so the model moves.

Add more motion name-tabs in MotionDesigner.

When you start MechDesigner, there is one motion name-tab in MotionDesigner, which is Motion0. It becomes the default motion applied to any Motion FB you add to the model. Usually, you will need more than one motion.

IN MOTIONDESIGNER

STEP 1: Add new Motion tabs

1.Click MotionDesigner to make MotionDesigner active.
2.Click File toolbar > Add Motion.

Do Step 2 again, to add more motions.

The default motion-names in each name-tab become Motion0, Motion1, Motion2...

STEP 2: Rename the Motions

It is easy to rename each motion:

1.Click a Motion name-tab to make the motion active.
2.Click the Edit toolbar > Active Motion Settings icon
3.In the Motion tab, and the Motion name separator enter a new name for the motion.
4.Use the 'Enter' key on your keyboard to confirm the motion name.
5.'OK' in the Active Motion Settings dialog.

How to Link a Motion to a Motion-FB

You will need to link a motion, identified by a motion name-tab in MotionDesigner, with a Motion FB that you add to the model in MechDesigner.

IN MECHDESIGNER

STEP 1: Add a Motion FB to the graphic-area

1.Click Kinematic-FB toolbar > Motion FB
2.Click the graphic-area.

The Motion FB is now in the graphic-area.

The Motion FB is  linked automatically to the left-most Motion name-tab in MotionDesigner.

STEP 2: Open the Motion FB dialog-box

1.Double-click the Motion FB in the main graphic area, or Assembly-Tree

OR

1.Click the Motion FB one time in the main graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree

The Motion FB is now in the Selection-Window

2.Right-click the Motion FB in the Selection-Window
3.Click 'Edit element' in the contextual-menu

The Motion FB dialog-box is now open.

STEP 3: Link the Motion FB in MechDesigner to the Motion name in MotionDesigner

To select a motion name in the Motion FB dialog-box:

1.Click the down-arrow, at the right of the list-box, to show the motion names
2.Click a motion name in the drop-down list

STEP 4: Close the Motion FB dialog-box

1.Click Tick-OK-small at the top of the dialog-box

Tutorial and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 13.2 + © Machine, Mechanism, Motion and Cam Design Software by PSMotion Ltd