MODEL

... the Model

The Model element is the top level of the Assembly-Tree.

Model-Editor

To add Mechanism-Editors, Planes and to view the moving model.

Model name-tab :

The tab to select the Model-Editor.

Model Triad :

The Origin and the fixed Coordinate-System of the Model.

X-axis (Red), Y-axis (Green) and Z-axis (Blue). The axes use the Right-Hand-Rule.

MECHANISM

Mechanism-Editor

The editor to add kinematic and machine-elements, and build kinematic-chains. You must add one Mechanism-Editor. You can also add many Mechanism-Editors .

Mechanism name-tab :

The tab to select a Mechanism-Editor.

Mechanism-Plane :

The XY-Plane of each Mechanism-Editor.

Mechanism Origin :

The 0,0,0 of the Mechanism-Plane. See also Base-Part.

Master-Machine-Angle (MMA) :

The angle (phase) of the Machine-Cycle, from 0 to 360.

Machine Cycle

One cycle of the Master-Machine-Angle from 0 to 360

PART

Part-Editor

The editor to edit Parts : to add sketch-elements, sketch-constraints, and dimensions.

PLANES

Plane

A surface defined by its XY-axes. The orientation of the Z-axis uses the Right-Hand-Rule

Mechanism-Plane :

The XY-plane of each Mechanism-Editor. The orientation of the Z-axis uses the Right-hand-Rule

Part Plane :

The XY-plane of a Part. The orientation of the Z-axis uses the Right-hand-Rule

PARTS

Part.

A Part represents a machine component. Occasionally, it represents a virtual machine-element..

Base-Part

The fixed Part and the frame of the Mechanism-PEditor

Geared Rocker Part

The Part that is driven by a Gear-Pair

Part-Outline :

The Symbol to identify a Part

Derived-Names for Parts

Motion-Part :

A Part in a kinematic-chain whose position is specified with a Motion-Dimension FB.

Rotating-Part :

A Part that rotates around a Point.

Sliding-Part :

A Part that slides along a Line.

Translating-Part :

A Part that moves across a Plane and does not rotate.

Reciprocating-Part :

A Sliding-Part that moves from its original position, then moves in the opposite direction to its original position, again and again.

Oscillating-Part :

A Rotating-Part that moves from its original position, then moves in the opposite direction to its original position, again and again.

Indexing-Part :

A Part that moves progressively in the same direction.

Kinematically-Defined Part :

A Part that has a mobility of zero. It has a Green Part-Outline

Connecting-Part :

A Part you join to other Parts with Ball-Joints.

Free Part :

A Part that has a minimum of one degree-of-freedom. It has one joint with a different Part. It has a Blue Part-Outline.

Completely Free :

A Free-Part that does not have a joint It has a Blue Part-Outline. It has three degrees-of-freedom.

JOINTS

Pin-Joint

Revolute Joint :

It makes a Point in two separate Parts align; the Mechanism Planes align. Identical to a Revolute-Joint

Slide-Joint

Prismatic-Joint :

It makes a Line is two separate Parts coincide; the Mechanism Planes coincide. Identical to a Prismatic-Joint

Ball-Joint

Spherical-Joint :

It makes a Point is two separate Parts coincide; the Mechanism Planes do not coincide. Identical to a Spherical-Joint

Magnetic-Joint

A joint to force a circular Profile to have contact with an irregular Profile (or Curve derived from a Point-Cloud).

CAMS

2D-Cam

A Cam that is on one Mechanism Plane.

3D-Cam

A Cam that is not one one Mechanism Plane.

Cam-Plate

The parent to a 2D-Cam in the Assembly-Tree. It can be a parent to one or more 2D-Cams.

Follower-Profile

The Profile/Extrusion of the sketch-loop that controls the shape of the Follower, which is in continuous contact with the Cam-Profile. The Profile/Extrusion is a child to a Part.

Follower-Roller

A Follower-Profile that is circular.

Cam-Shaft

A Part that rotates continuously in one direction.

Cam-Track, Cam-Groove

The area between the inner and outer Cam-Profiles  It may be a groove, slot and even a rib.

GEARS

Gear-Pair

Two gears that you edit to modify the number-of-teeth, the module, and mesh.

Geared-Rocker

The kinematic element at the output of a gear-pair that is operated by the gear with a motion at the input to the Gear-Pair

Rack & Pinion

Rack Driven Pinion :

Pinion Driven Rack :

The Rack and Pinion element is joined kinematically. Either the Rack motion 'flows' to the Pinion, or the Pinion motion 'flows' to the Rack. The Power may flow in the same or the opposite direction as the motion.

In the Kinematics Tree, the terms are 'Rack driven Pinion', or 'Pinion driven Rack'.

BELTS

Pulley

A rotating-Part (Pulley) that either drives a Belt, or a Belt drives the Pulley.

Belt Driven-Pulley :

Pulley Driven Belt :

The Belt and Pulley elements are joined kinematically. Either the motion of the Pulley is found by the known motion of the Belt, or the motion of the Belt is found from the known motion of the Pulley.

Hence, in the Kinematics Tree, the terms are Belt Driven-Pulley, or Pulley driven Belt.

DIMENSIONS

Dimension

A distance, angle or length

Static Dimension :

To imply the dimension does not change with time or machine angle.

Motion-Dimension

A Motion-Dimension controls the position and motion of a Part. The Part is a Motion-Part.

Measurement

A driven dimension* between two sketch-elements. You use a Measurement FB to measure in the Mechanism-Editor. (* driven: we observe and analyze its value). The Measurement FB also gives the first and second derivatives of the dimensions

FUNCTION-BLOCKS

Function-Block ( FB )

Each Function-Block has an output-connector that provides motion-values that can be connected to the input-connector of a different FB. The motion-values at the output-connector are a function of the motion-values at its input-connector, the MMA or the measurement taken from a different kinematic-chain. The acronym FB is Function-Block in the help.

Linear-Motion FB

A FB whose output mirrors the Master-Machine-Angle (MMA). You can change the phase of its output relative to the MMA with the Linear-Motion dialog.

Motion FB

A FB linked to a motion in MotionDesigner. The motion-values at its input-connector correspond to the X-axis of the Motion with which it has a link, and the motion-values at the output-connector correspond to the Y-axis of the same motion.

Gearing FB

A FB to apply a simple mathematical function to the input. You can also add a number before and after you multiply the input with the ratio.

Motion-Dimension FB

A Motion-Dimension controls the motion of a Part. The Part is a Motion-Part.

Motion-Path FB

A Motion-Path FB adds a Motion-Point to a sketch-path. Motion-values at the input to a Motion-Path FB control how the Motion-Point moves along the sketch-path.

Point-Data FB

A measurement of a Point – it gives X and Y coordinate motion-values. (Position, Velocity and Acceleration) and also the Magnitude of the Point's motion. The Point-Data can also be used as an independent variable for other FBs.

Measurement FB

A measurement between sketch-elements; to give motion-values. You can use Measurement FB data as an independent variable for other FBs.

Cam-Data FB

A FB linked to a 2D-Cam to calculate Cam-Coordinates and provide data for Cam Analysis.

Graph FB

A FB to plot data.

Spring FB

A FB to apply Force between two Points

Force-Data FB

A FB that measures Force or Torque data, at a Point or a Motor.

Design-Set FB

A collection of Dimensions and Motion-Dimensions that you select to control.

Math FB

A FB to do mathematical functions based on the input variables and parameters.

Stats FB

A FB to do Statistics based on the motion-values at its input-connector

Polynomial Fit FB

A FB to fit, mathematically, with polynomial functions.

3D MODEL ELEMENTS

Solids

MD-Solids - Profile/Extrusion we add in MechDesigner

CAD-Solid - an STL document that you import from 3D-CAD onto a CAD-Line

Profile

Two contours that are offset from the Mechanism-Plane. The shape of the contours mirrors a sketch-loop in a Part.

Extrusion

The space between the Profile contours. The extrusion also has other properties: color, transparency, density, moment of inertia, mass.

Auto-Profile

A convenient Profile; a sketch-loop and a Profile added to a mechanism with one command - Add Auto-Profile.

Hole

A cut through an Profile/Extrusion

TOOLS

Element-Properties

A dialog to list the element-properties.

Trace-Point

The locus of a Point on the Mechanism-Plane

Briefcase FB

A tool to put other FB inside - to make the model easier to manage.

Pattern FB

A tool to create copies of a Solid, with their motion anticipated over a machine=cycle.

DXF ELEMENTS

CAD-Line

A Line you can use to display a DXF-Drawing.

.DXF file-type

The file-type that you import. It has the standard DXF format.

DXF-Element

A DXF element in the Assembly-Tree.

DXF-Outline :

A complete DXF-Drawing in the graphic-area. You cannot edit it.

DXF-Entity :

A single line, arc or circle entity in a DXF Outline. You cannot edit it.

DXF-Drawing

An external DXF-Drawing. You can edit it with other CAD.

DXF Layers

A sheet in a DXF-Drawing. You can show or hide each DXF Layer.

DXF Origin

The origin of the DXF-Drawing in the original CAD drawing.

CAMLINKS MEC

Camlinks Outlines

DXF, or Polyline, that was imported into a Camlinks model. You cannot edit a Camlinks Outline.

Kinematic Terms

Kinematics-Tree

One of three trees in the Project-Explorer

kinematic-chain

Parts joined with Joints, with a minimum of one joint to the Base-Part.

Kinematically-Defined Part :

A Part in a kinematic-chain with a Mobility = zero.

Kinematically-Defined Chain :

A kinematic-chain with kinematically-defined Parts. Kinematically-defined chain have a Mobility = zero

Kinematic-Pair

A Joint: Lower-Pairs, Higher Pairs and Wrapping Pairs

Part

Perfect Rigid Body. It has an exact length.

Rocker

Motion-Parts: A Part joined with a Pin-Joint,  motion-values at the input-connector of a Motion-Dimension FB control the angular motion of the Part.

Slider

Motion-Parts: A Part joined with a Slide-Joint,  motion-values at the input-connector of a Motion-Dimension FB control the linear motion of the Part.

Geared-Rocker

A Part whose position is determined by the motion at the input gear (drive gear), the number-of-teeth on each gear, and the mesh (internal or external)

Revolute-Joint (Pin-Joint)

Pin-Joint: A Joint with a Point in two different Parts that are made to be coincident

Prismatic-Joint (Slide-Joint)

Slide-Joint: A Joint with a Line in two different Parts that are made to be coincident.

Spherical-Joint (Ball-Joint)

Ball-Joint: A Joint with a Point in two different Parts - that can also be in a two different Mechanism-Editors - are made to be coincident.

Dyad :

Each dyads has two Parts and three Joints

R-R-R dyad

Planar dyads

The two Parts in a Planar dyad lie on one Mechanism-Plane.

The joints are Pin-Joints or Slide-Joints.

R-R-P dyad

R-P-P dyad

R-P-R dyad

P-R-P dyad

S-S-R dyad

Spatial dyads: One Part lies on a Mechanism Plane; the other Part in the dyad joins Parts in two different Mechanism Planes.

S-S-P dyad

RAM-R

A dyad that uses a Motion-Point to change the length of one Part

RAM-P

A dyad that uses a Motion-Point to change the length of one Part

Kinetostatic Force Terms

Force

The force needed to move the Parts, and kinematic-chains, with your motion-design, given their Mass, inertia, and any external Force you apply

Torque

The Torque needed to rotate a Part and kinematic-chain.with your motion-design, given their Mass, inertia, and any external Force you apply

Project-Explorer

Project-Explorer

To the left of the graphic-area

Selection-Window

Identify the elements you select in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree

Command-Manager

It provides hints or instructions for the active command. It may also open a short dialog, where you need to select one or more elements, to complete a command

Element-Explorer

List the Elements in the Model in various formats

Assembly-Tree :

A hierarchical and chronological List of the Elements you have added to the model

Kinematics-Tree :

A list of the kinematic-chains with Motion-Parts, dyads and Geared-Rockers that may be in each Kinematic-chain

Geometry-Tree :

A list of Constraints and Dimensions in the sketch-elements. It is only available when you use the Part-Editor.

Feedback-Area

Message Area

Below the graphic-area. It gives you information, warnings and errors for each command that fails to complete.

Hints and Instruction

Below the Project-Explorer. The hint, with a short instruction, of the active command, or the command as you move your mouse-pointer above a command or tool.

Animation Speed Slider

Tool to speed up or slow down the animation

Force Vector Scale

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Force Vectors

Torque Vector Scale

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Torque Vectors

Velocity Vector Scale

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Velocity Vectors

Acceleration Vector Scale

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Acceleration Vectors

Master-Machine-Angle

The Machine Clock.

'Revs'

Number of revolutions of the Machine.

ELEMENTS IN THE Part-Editor

Dimension

A 'Static' Dimension.

Smart Dimension

Use the dimension tool to add a Static Dimension: between Points, two Lines, three Points, a Line and a Point, the Length of a Line, the radius of a Circle

Sketch-Elements

Line

A Line has a point at each end - the start-Point, at the Origin of the Line, and the end-Point

Arc

An Arc has a Point at each end, and a center-Point.

Circle

A Circle. It has a Point at its center, called the center-Point.

Point

A point is a Point!

start-Point :

The Point where you mouse-button-down at the start of a Drag to add a sketch-element or Part

end-Point :

The Point where you mouse-button-up at the end of a Drag to add a sketch-element or Part

center-Point :

The Point at the center of an Arc or a Circle

Blend-Curve

A sketch-element you can edit, at each end, its angle, curvature and rate of change of curvature.

CAD-Line

A Line that you can use to link and show a DXF-Drawing, a SOLIDWORKS, or STL files.

Polyline

A shape that mirrors the shape of a 2D-Cam or Gear-Pair.

Spline

A shape defined a series of 'nodes' with curvature continuity at and between the 'nodes'.

Reference sketch-element

A sketch-element copied from a different Mechanism-Editor. It is orange.

Sketch-Element Constraints

Coincident

To make two Points, two Lines, a Point and a Line, or a point and X-axis or Y-axis to be at the same location or along the ray of the line or axis.

Concentric

To make two Circles, Arcs, or a Circle and an Arc, have the same center-point.

Equal

To make two Circles or Arcs, or two Lines, have the same radius or length.

Parallel

To make the Points at the ends of two lines, or a line and an X-axis or Y-axis, to be equally far from each other.

Perpendicular

To make two Lines, or Line and an X or Y-axis perpendicular.

Mid-Point

To make a Point join to the mid-point of a Line

Tangent

To make a Line and Circle or Arc tangent, or a Circle and a Circle tangent.

Horizontal

To make a Line or two Points Horizontal.

Vertical

To make two Points to have equal X-axis