Graph FB
see Add Graph FB
Graph FB
Use a Graph FB to plot Kinematic Data, Kinetostatic Force-Data and Cam-Data.
Y-axis input-connectors: Use the top, four input-connectors for the Y-axis of each graph.
X-axis input-connector: Use the bottom input-connector for the X-axis. If you do not connect a wire to this connector, the plots are made over one machine-cycle, 0 – 360.
Edit the Graph FB
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Edit the Graph FB:
| 1. | Double-click the Graph FB in the graphic-area. |
- or -
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The Graph interface is now open.
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Graph FB dialog-box
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 Y–axis Scales
| • | A Y-Scale for each input – from left to right, Y1 to Y4 [Y1 is the top input-connector to the Graph FB]. |
| • | The colour of the Y–axis Scale and the graph-line are the same - edit the colours with the Graph Setting dialog. |
| • | The default setting is to 'auto-scale' the Y-axis. If you want to specify a minimum and maximum, use the Graph Setting dialog. |
 Y–axis Data-Channel [Drop-Down list]: See also Y–axis Data-Channel Display Options
| • | Each wire that you connect to an input-connector has 3 Data-Channels. |
| • | You can select the Data-Channel. |
 Digital Readout (DRO):
| • | The X–axis and the Y1–Y4-axis values at the position of the vertical cursor . |
 Graph Area:
| • | The graphs for each wire you connect to a Y-axis input-connector |
 Toolbar:
| • | Save, Print, Graph Settings, Zoom Extents, Pan Left, Pan Right, 'Copy Graph Data to Clipboard' – see  below |
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 Vertical-Cursor:
When you click or drag your pointer in the graph-area :
| • | the Vertical-Cursor will move with your pointer |
| • | the Digital-Readouts will continuously equal the Y-axis values at the position of the Vertical-Cursor on the X–axis |
| • | the Master Machine Angle will continuously update to equal the X-axis value of the Vertical-Cursor |
| • | the kinematically-defined Chains will move to agree with the Master Machine Angle. |
 Graph Data in Clipboard
| • | When you click the right-most tool/icon in the toolbar above the Graphs, the graph data is copied to the Clipboard. |
Paste this Data to Excel, or to MotionDesigner Data-Transfer table, where you can plot it as a Motion-Overlay.
Why are the Y–axis values given by the DRO slightly different to values for vectors I can see in the graphic-area?
The values may be slightly different because, in the graph, the X–axis and Y–axis values at the DRO must jump from 'machine -step' to 'machine-step', with each machine-step-increment a function of the Machine Settings dialog-box > Number-of-Steps.
In the graphic-area, the vector values are calculated for the value of the , which may not coincide with a machine step.
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Y-Axis Data-Channels :
The 'Y-Axis Data Channels Set' are given in the drop-down at the right of the graph dialog-box.
To show more than one data-type from one output-connector of a FB, then drag a wire from an output-connector to different input-connectors of the Graph FB.
You can plot:
| • | Three Data-Types available at the output-connector of a FB |
| • | To trouble-shoot. For example, the motion given to a Rocker or Slider is not as you expect. |
| • | To learn how FBs transform the motion data. |
Function-Block (Linear-Motion, Gearing, Motion, Motion-Dimension) you can plot:
| • | Linear or angular position |
| • | Linear or angular velocity |
| • | Linear or angular acceleration |
Measurement FB or Point-Data FB you can plot
| • | Linear or angular position |
| • | Linear or angular velocity |
| • | Linear or angular acceleration |
Cam-Data FB
| • | Pressure Angle.
You can plot three Pressure Angles – See |
| • | Cam Radius-of-Curvature.
You can plot Radii-of-Curvature 1 and 2 for Cam 1 and Cam 2. |
| • | Maximum Contact Shear Stress.
You must know the material properties to obtain this data. See 2D-Cam dialog-box. |
Force-Data FB
The output form a Force-Data FB is a function of the element with which it is linked. See Force-Data FB dialog-box
If you link a Force-Data FB to a:
| Ÿ | Pin-Joint with a Motor, you can plot Motor Load. |
| Ÿ | Slide-Joint with a Motor, you can plot Motor Load |
| Ÿ | Joint without a Motor, plot |
| o | Total Force [ FT = √(FX2 + FY2) |
| o | Force along the X-coordinate of a Point: FX |
| o | Force along the Y-coordinate of a Point: FY |
| Ÿ | 2D-Cam: you can plot the Cam Contact Force |
| Ÿ | Spring FB: you can plot the Total Force, the X Force and the Y Force acting on the Point. |
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