Kinematic Analysis Tools

We can use these tools to show kinematic values at  machine angle defined by the Master-Machine-Angle (MMA).

We can plot the kinematic values for one or more complete machine cycles with a Graph FB.

btn_delkeywordTool 1: Element-Properties dialog-box                                                        

The Element-Properties dialog-box lists kinematic values of an element.

Elements that have Element Properties are:

•Part, Pin-Joint, Slide-Joint, 2D-Cam, Part-Outline, Line, Circle, Arc, Point, Gear-Pair, Function-Blocks, Wire...

T2B-ElementProperties-A

To show the Elements Properties dialog-box:

In the graphic-area:

1.Hover (move your mouse-pointer above) any element so that it becomes red...
2.CTRL + CLICK

The Element-Properties dialog-box is now open.

The two steps are also described as Hover+CTRL+Click key combination.

Note:

The Element Properties dialog-box does not open:

•If you Hover+CTRL+Click more than one element. You must try again.
Element-Properties dialog-box : Point

Element-Properties dialog-box : Point

Element-Properties of a Point.

In this case, the Element Properties are of 'Point23'Red-14-1b, which is a child to Part3Red-14-2 (Element's Part), which is a child to MechanismRed-14-3 (Element's Mechanism).

Properties of a Point:

In the case of a Point, the properties are:

•'Part Pos': the Point's vector position within the coordinate-system of the Part.
•'Mech Pos': the Point's vector position within the coordinate-system of the Mechanism-Editor.
•'Glob Position': the Point's vector position within the coordinate-system of the Model-Editor.
•'Velocity', 'Acceleration':
oi , j : the magnitude of the vector's Velocity and Acceleration , in the X and Y directions, respectively.
o|n| : the total magnitude of the vector's Velocity and Acceleration
oΘ :  the direction of the vector's Velocity and Acceleration . ('0' is the X-axis direction of the Mechanism-Plane)

'V' indicates they are 'vector' values.
btn_delkeywordTool 2: Trace-Points                                                                                  

A Trace-Point shows the path of a Point on the Mechanism-Plane for one machine-cycle.

You can show any number of Trace-Points at one time.

Other terms for Trace-Point are: locus, curve, and coupler curve.

Add Trace icon

To show a Trace-Point:

1.Click Kinematic-elements toolbar > Add Trace-Point
2.Click a Point in the graphic-area
3.Click OK-tiny-13-17 in the Command-Manager

Do 1-3 again to show more Trace-Points, as required.

How to Drag a Point to continually update the Trace-Point.

In the Part-Editor

1.Do Geometry toolbar > Add Point sketch-element

Do not add to the Point any constraints or dimensions.

In the Mechanism-Editor

1.Do Kinematic-elements toolbar > Add Trace-Point

Drag the Point (slowly) in the Mechanism-Editor.

Video : Add Trace-Point

 

Tutorial 2.B

Add Trace-Point

 
tog_minusTool 3: Kinematic Vectors: Velocity and Acceleration

Dialog-PointVectors-VelAccSelected

Show Velocity and Acceleration Vectors for a Point

In the graphic-area:

1.Double-click a Point of a Green Part

Use Filters toolbar> Points if this is difficult!

The Point dialog-box opens.

2.Click Show or Hide Vectors
3.Click the Show Velocity Vector
4.Click Show Acceleration Vector
5.Click OK-tiny-13-17 to close the dialog-box.

Do 1-5 again to show or hide Kinematic Vectors of different Points

Note 1:

If necessary, change the colour of the graphic-area, or the vectors, to see more clearly the vectors and the kinematic-values

Application Settings > Graphics tab > Display Colours

 

About the Velocity and Acceleration Vectors in the graphic-area

•The vectors show only when the Point moves relative to the Mechanism-Plane
•The length of the vectors are proportional to the Point's instantaneous Velocity and Acceleration.
•The magnitude of the vectors shows at the arrowhead of each vector
•The colour (default) of the vectors are Velocity, Acceleration
•The vectors update their values and length each Machine-Step

Scope Option

The vectors are relative to the:

•Local xyz axes - Mechanism Axes (default)
•Global XYZ axes - mODEL-aXES

Velocity Vector Options

The Velocity vectors are the:

•Magnitude of the Velocity (default)
•X component of the velocity
•Y component of the velocity

Velocity and Acceleeration Vectors from a Point.

To scale the vectors:

Force, Torque, Velocity, Acceleration Buttons to scale the vectors.

You can stretch or shrink the length of the vectors. Click the Velocity and the Acceleration (Accel.) buttons in the Feedback-Area.

1.Click the up button to increase the length of the vectors

- or -

1.Click the down button to decrease the length of the vectors

Top-Tip - make the vectors very short to see only the magnitude of the vectors near to the Point.
btn_delkeywordTool 4: Instant Radar Scale                                                        
ALT + Click show the 'Instant Scale'

ALT + Click show the 'Instant Scale'

To show the Dimensional Instant Radar Scale:

In the graphic-area ALT key down + Mouse-Click

The Instant-Scale shows next to your mouse-pointer.

As you zoom-in or zoom-out the scale also auto-scales.

There are 10 concentric circles.

There are two darker circles, which have the actual dimension value at their radius.

•Middle Dark Circle (5)
•Outer Dark Circle (10)

You can linearly interpolate the dimensions of the other circles.

Note: reduce the number of digits to reduce the number of zeros

See Application-Settings > Number-Format.

Tutorials and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 14.2 + © Machine, Cam, Mechanism, and Motion Design Software by PSMotion Ltd