<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: Getting Started Tutorials - MechDesigner > Tutorial 5: Kinematic Function Blocks for Motion > Step 5.1: Function-Blocks, Connectors and Wires |
Each Function-Block (FB) is an icon that is intended to help you identify its function. In this image, there are two FBs: •a Linear-Motion FB - here the icon image is clock face! and •a Motion-Dimension FB. •The output-connector •The input-connector Motion-values flow from FB to FB, along wires |
Drag Wires from Output-Connector to Input-Connectors In the image to the left, there are four Function-Blocks (FBs) with four wires that connect them. To connect wires between two Function-Blocks: 1.Move your mouse-pointer above the output-connector 2.... mouse-button down ... 3.... and drag a wire 4.... mouse-button-up. Now, a wire is between the output-connector and the input-connector of two FBs. 5.Do 1 to 4 again and again to add more wires. |
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Video to show how to connect wires between Function-Block connectors. |
There is an equation, or function, associated with each type of Function-Block. The equation has parameters that you can edit. The Input and Output of the Function-Block When the Master-Machine-Angle changes, a motion-value at the input-connector of a Function-Block instantly becomes a different motion-value at its output-connector. The motion-values flow instantly along wires between Function-Blocks The last function-block usually specifies the position of a Part. Thus, the position of a Part updates instantly when the Master Machine Angle changes. |
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Example: of the 'flow' of motion-values along the wires of four FBs: 1.Linear-Motion FB The (default) motion-values at the output-connector of this Linear-Motion FB are the same as the Master-Machine-Angle ( 0 → 360) Therefore, as you cycle the machine, the output from the 'first FB' changes at the same rate as the Master-Machine-Angle. 2.Motion FB The Motion FB makes a link, similar to a hyperlink, with a motion name in MotionDesigner. The motion-values at its input-connector relate to the X-axis values of a motion. The motion-values at its output-connector are the Y-axis values of the same motion. You edit the Motion FB to 'hyper-link' a different motion name, in a Motion tab in MotionDesigner. |
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3.Gearing FB The Gearing FB has three parameters to multiply motion-values at its input connector by a fixed number, add or subtract a number. If the input is 0 - 360, and the Gearing Ratio parameter is 2, and you add 40 to the output (after you multiply by 2), then its output will change from 40 to 760. 4.Motion-Dimension FB The Motion-Dimension FB uses the motion-values at its input-connector to control the motion of a Motion-Part. The Motion-Part in this case is a Rocker. It is possible to offset the initial position of the Rocker . You must edit Base-Value parameter with the Motion-Dimension FB. Thus, if the Base-Value is '20', the Rocker moves from 60º to 780º within the 0 – 360 cycle of the Master-Machine-Angle. |
Motion Providers: 'to provide' motion-values. |
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•Linear-Motion FB •One output-connector |
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•Measurement FB (Point to Line (Linear); Line to Line(Angle); 3 Points (Angle)) •One output-connector |
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•Measurement FB (Point to Point (Linear)) •Two output-connectors |
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•Point-Data FB •Three output-connectors |
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Motion Processors: 'to process', or 'to manipulate' the motion-data. |
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•Motion FB •One input-connector and one output-connector |
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•Gearing FB •One input-connector and one output-connector |
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Motion-Parts: 'to transfer' the angular or positional motion-values to a Motion-Part with a Motion-Dimension. |
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•Motion-Dimension FB – Rocker •One input-connector and one output-connector |
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•Motion-Dimension FB – Slider •One input-connector and one output-connector |
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Motion-Paths: 'to transfer' motion-values to a Motion-Point to define its position along a sketch-loop. |
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•Motion-Path FB •One input-connector |