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.

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

The Graph FB is now in the graphic-area.

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

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

STEP 3: Open the Graph FB

The Graph dialog is now open.

STEP 4: See: Graph FB Interface.

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

See also:

Application Settings | Number Format | Data Format

Graph FB:

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.

Y–axis : Digital Readout (D.R.O.)

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

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

X-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

The Graph Area:

•The color-coded graphs for each Y–axis input

•Vertical-Cursor - see more below

Toolbar:

•Save, Print, Graph Settings, Zoom Extents, Pan Left, Pan Right, Copy Graph Data to Clipboard – see below

Vertical-Cursor

When you click in the area of the Graph, the Vertical Cursor snaps to your mouse pointer

When you drag your pointer in the graph :

•the Vertical-Cursor follows your pointer

•the Digital Readouts 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.

Copy Graph Data to Clipboard

•When you click the right-most icon in the toolbar, the graph data is copied to the Clipboard.

•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.

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 Servo-motor and Gearbox.

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

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)