MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 3: Project Explorer > Element-Explorer

The Kinematics-Tree is the kinematic-structure of each kinematic-chain in the active Mechanism-Editor.

We compile the kinematic-chains from the kinematic-elements that are kinematically-defined.

Notes:

If you cannot see or explore the elements in the Kinematics-Tree, click Rebuild now.

If you click to explore a kinematic-chain in the Kinematics-Tree:

•the kinematic-chain expands to the show the kinematic-elements in the kinematic-chain,

•the color of the kinematic elements in the kinematic-chain change to the “Selected Color” - see Application-Settings > Graphics > Display Color.

To collapse the kinematic-chain again, you must click in the graphics-area in an empty space.

•You can right-click on any kinematic-chain to Configure the Power Source

This icon is at the top of the Kinematic-Tree to the left of the name “Mechanisms”.

Note: If you cannot see “Mechanisms”, or explore the Kinematics-Tree, click Rebuild now.

The structure of the Kinematics-Tree is:

► Mechanisms:

► Kinematic-Chains

► Kinematic Sub-assemblies

► Kinematic Elements

►Unsolved Mechs

Kinematic-Chain

The Mobility of these kinematic-chains is zero(0). They are kinematically-defined (solved).

You can explore the kinematic-chains to find Kinematic Sub-Assemblies and kinematic elements (see below)

Unsolved Mechs

These kinematic-chains have a mobility that is greater than zero(0). The kinematic-chains are not kinematically-defined.

Example: Kinematics-Tree in Element-Explorer

Kinematic-Sub-Assemblies (Solved Mechanisms ONLY):

These are compiled as:

The type of Dyad is identified by its three joints, denoted with a letter:

R = Revolute-Joint = Pin-Joint

P = Prismatic-Joint = Slide-Joint

S = Spherical-Joint = Ball-Joint

a. R-R-R

b. R-R-P

c. R-P-R

d. P-R-P

e. R-P-P

f. Ram-R

g. Ram-P

h. S-S-R

i. S-S-P