Dialog: Configure Power Source

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Dialog: Configure Power Source

Configure Power Source

Each degree-of-freedom in a kinematic-chain must have a Power-Source. The default Power-Source is a motor at the Motion-Part.

However, frequently, the Power-Source is a not a Motion-Part. For example, it is a 2D-Cam that drives a Cam-Follower and its kinematic-chain.

We use Configure Power Source to make sure each Motion-Dimension (and degree-of-freedom) receives its Power from the correct element.

When the Power-Source for each kinematic-chain is correct, the Application-Load and the force at each joint is correct.

Power-Source elements can be:

•Pin-Joint - we calculate the Application-Load and we can also size a Motor and Gearbox - see Gearbox and Servo-Sizing.

•Slide-Joint - we calculate the Application-Load for a Linear-Motor.  

•2D-Cam - we calculate the Contact-Force, the Cam-Life, and the Roller-Life - see 2D-Cam dialog-box

•Conjugate Cams - we calculate the Contact-Force between at least 2 x 2D-Cams, the Cam-Life, and the Roller-Life

•Springs - we calculate the Application-Load for a Linear-Motor.

How to open the Configure Power Source dialog-box

There are three(3) methods to open the Configure Power-Source dialog-box

TAG-Down        METHOD 1

Configure Power Source icon

1.Click the Kinematics-Tree in the Element-Explorer

2.Click the Kinematic-Chain for which you want to specify the Power-Source

The Kinematic-Chain should be Blue.

3.Click Force toolbar > Configure Power Source icon

TAG-Down        METHOD 2

In the Kinematics-Tree:

1.Click the Kinematics-Tree in the Element-Explorer

2.Click the Kinematic-Chain for which you want to specify the Power-Source

The  Kinematic-Chain  should be Blue.

3.Right-click the  Kinematic-Chain 

4.Click Configure Power Source in the contextual-menu
Configure Power Source from Kinematics-Tree

Configure Power Source from Kinematics-Tree

TAG-Down        METHOD 3

1.Click the Kinematics-Tree in the Element-Explorer

2.Click the Kinematic-Chain for which you want to specify the Power-Source

3.Press the ALT+P key combination on your keyboard.

The Configure Power Source dialog-box is now open.

Configure Power Source dialog-box

You must Configure the Power Source for each Kinematic-Chain.

There are two tabs in the dialog-box:

tog_minusPower Source tab

Motion Dimensions
MD-Dialog-ConPowSource-PowSo

Motion-Dimensions and Motor Elements Box Red-14-1

In box Red-14-1, even if the Motor Element to the right of a Motion-Dimension is correct, please do 1 and 2

1.In box Red-14-1 - Click a Motion-Dimension - Rocker or Slider - to make it active

2.In box Red-14-2 - Click a Motor Element

The Motor Element in box Red-14-2 is now the Power-Source for the active Motion-Dimension that is in box Red-14-1 .

See also : MD-Globe-www Tutorial 13 - Forces: introduction.

See also : Machine elements toolbar > Add Conjugate-Cam FB.

tog_minusDisplay Colors tab
MD-Dialog-ConPowSource-Colors

For EACH Part you can:

Change the color of the Part-Outline and Force-Vectors that act on the Part.

Display the Force-Vectors that act on the Part:

•At the Joint

•As a Polygon of Forces

•At the Joint and as a Polygon of Forces

•No Force-Vectors

These options do not help me very much!

or

•Hide the Force-Vector that act on the Part