Add Graph FB

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Add Graph FB

Graph FB

Terminology:

Graph FB :

Connect wires to the input-connector of a Graph FB to plot, over a complete machine-cycle, any data that is available at the output-connectors of other Function-Blocks.

Data-Channel :

Each wire provides three parallel streams of data. For example, the data is linear or angular position, plus the first and second motion-derivatives.

Each stream of data on a wire is a Data-Channel.

Add Graph FB

STEP 1: Add a Graph FB to the graphics-area

MD-Icon-FB-Graphs

1.Click Kinematics FB toolbar > Graph FB

or

1.Click Function-Blocks menu > Graph (FB)

Then :

2.Click the graphics-area

The Graph FB is now in the graphics-area.

STEP 2: Connect wires to the input-connectors of the Graph GB

The Graph FB has five(5) input-connectors.

From the top, the input-connectors are:

1 – 4: Y-axis inputs - See below: Y-axis Data-Channel Options

5: X-axis input - See below: X-axis Data-Channel Options


Note: Data-Values at the input-connector for the X-axis (#5 input-connector)

Option 1: no data (not connected). The X-axis is equal to the Master-Machine-Angle

Option 2: data increases steadily. For example, the output-connector of a Linear-Motion FB, or Gearing FB

Option 3: data increases and/or decreases within a range of values. For example, the output-connector of a Motion FB, Measurement FB, or Point-Data FB


Note: if there is a fly-back across the graph, click Rebuild Now - this command may remove the fly-back.

If Rebuild Now does not remove the fly-back, increase the number-of-steps to 360 - see Machine-Settings > Number-of-Steps

STEP 3: Open the Graph FB

1.Double-click the Graph FB in the graphics-area

OR

See How to open a dialog

The Graph dialog is now open.

STEP 4: See: Graph FB Interface.

To review the kinematic, kinetostatic, and/or Cam data that you can plot with a Graph FB.

See also:

Application Settings | Number Format | Data Format

Graph FB Interface

MD-Dialog-GraphFB-A

 

Graph FB:

1r Y–axis : Scales

Maximum 4 scales, that correspond to motion-value at input-connectors Y1 to Y4

The color of the Y–axis and the plot-line are the same.

2r Y–axis : Digital Readout (D.R.O.)

The X-axis and the Y1 – Y4-axis values at the position of the vertical cursor Red-14-6.

The Number-Format for the X–axis, Y–axis, and data in ClipboardRed-14-7 are configured in Application Settings | Number Format tab.

3rX-axis and Y-axis Data-Channel Selector

Each wire that is connected to a Y-axis orthe X-axis input-connector has up to 3 Data-Channels

Select the Data-Channel in the drop-down box - see Data-Channel Selectors

4r The Graph Area:

The color-coded graphs for each Y–axis input

Vertical-CursorRed-14-6 - see more below

5r Toolbar:

Save, Print, Graph Settings, Zoom Extents, Pan Left, Pan Right, Copy Graph Data to Clipboard – see Red-14-7 below


6r Vertical-Cursor

When you click in the area of the GraphRed-14-4, the Vertical CursorRed-14-6 snaps to your mouse pointer

When you drag your pointer in the graph :

the Vertical-Cursor follows your pointer

the Digital ReadoutsRed-14-3 continuously updates to indicate the Y-axis values

the Master Machine Angle updates to the position of the Vertical Cursor

the kinematic-chains that are kinematically-defined move to a position that is defined by the Master Machine Angle.

7r Copy Graph Data to Clipboard

When you click the right-most icon in the toolbarRed-14-5, the graph data is copied to the ClipboardRed-14-7.

Paste this data to Excel, or

To MotionDesigner in the Data Transfer table. You can plot it as an overlay or use it as a Motion (use Z Raw-Data).

Notes:

Configure the Number-Format for the X–axis, Y–axis, and 'Data in Clipboard' in Application Settings | Number Format tab.

2r Data-Channel Selectors:

Each wire you connect to the Graph FB has three Data-Channels. The data-channels that are available are a function of the FB from which you connector the wire to the Graph FB input-connector.

Use the Data-Channel Selectors to select which of the three data-channels to plot.

The data-channels from a:

Function-Block (Linear-Motion, Gearing, Motion, Motion-Dimension):

oLinear position, velocity, acceleration.

oAngular position, velocity, acceleration.

Measurement FB or Point-Data FB:

oLinear position, velocity, acceleration of the Measurement dimension or Point's position.

oAngular position, velocity, acceleration of the Measurement dimension.

Cam-Data FB

oPressure-Angle.
You can plot three Pressure Angles – See Pressure Angle

oCam Radius-of-Curvature.
You can plot Radii-of-Curvature for Inner Cam and the Outer Cam.

oContact Cam-Force

oMaximum Contact-Shear-Stress.
You must know the material-properties to obtain this data - See 2D-Cam dialog.

oEntrainment Velocity
The Entrainment-Velocity for the Inner Cam and the Outer Cam.

Force-Data FB

If the Force-Data FB references a:

oPin-Joint that is a Power-Source, you can plot Application-Torque for a Servomotor and Gearbox.

oSlide-Joint that is a Power-Source, you can plot the Application-Load for a Linear Servomotor.

oPin-Joint or Slide-Joint that is NOT a Power-Source:

- Force in the X-axis direction :

- Force in the Y-axis direction:

o2D-Cam: you can plot the Contact Force between the Cam-Profile and the Follower-Profile.

oSpring FB: you can plot the Total Force, the X Force and the Y Force acting on the anchor-Point of the Spring.


TOP-TIP:

To show all three Data-Channels from the same output-connector of a Function-Block,

1.Drag three wires from the same output-connector of the Function-Block to three(3) different Graph FB input-connectors.

2.Select the different Data-Channels with the Y-axis Data-Channel Selector drop-down (right-side of graphs)