Dialog: Configure Power Source

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Dialog: Configure Power Source

Configure Power Source

See also: How to open the Configure Power Source dialog

When you want MechDesigner to calculate for you the forces at joints, 2D-Cams, Springs, Pulleys, you must make sure the Power-Source is at the correct joint or element.

If you do not Configure the Power-Source to be at the correct joint or element, the forces that we calculate for you are not correct!

Power Sources

Each degree-of-freedom in a kinematic-chain that is kinematically-defined has a power-source.

In the default case, the power-source is a motor at the joint (Pin-Joint or Slide-Joint) whose motion you control with a Motion-Dimension FB.

A power-source can also be a 2D-Cam, Spring, or Pulley element, or any other joint in the kinematic-chain.

If the power-source is not at the correct joint or element, use the Configure Power Source dialog to select the correct joint.

If the Power-Source element is a :

•Pin-Joint - we calculate for you the Torque (Application-Torque) that you need at the output from a Motor and Gearbox  - see Gearbox and Servo-Sizing.

•Slide-Joint - we calculate for you the Motive-Force that you need from a Linear-Motor.

•2D-Cam / Conjugate Cam - we calculate for you the Contact-Force, Contact Shear Stress, Cam-Life, and Roller-Life - see 2D-Cam dialog

•Spring - we calculate for you the Motive-Force (if you you configure the Spring as a Linear-Motor).

Configure Power Source dialog

You must Configure the Power Source for each degree-of-freedom in each Kinematic-Chain.

There are two tabs in the Configure Power Source dialog:

tog_minusPower Source tab

Motion Dimensions
Configure Power Source dialog > Power Source

Configure Power Source dialog > Power Source

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 elements in the kinematic-chain that can be a source of power)

The Motor Element in box Red-14-2 is now the Power-Source for the active Motion-Dimension 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
Configure Power Source dialog > Display Colors tab

Configure Power Source dialog > Display Colors tab

For each Part you can:

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

•Select how to display the Force-Vectors that act on the Part:

oJoint - vector from the Joint

oPolygon - as a Polygon of Forces (this option does not help me much)

oBoth - at the Joint and as a Polygon of Force

or

oNone  - hide the Force-Vectors that act on the Part