MODEL

Model

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

Model-Editor

The user interface and environment to add Mechanisms, 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 in the Model-Editor

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

MECHANISM

Mechanism

The Mechanism element is a child to a Plane. You must add at least one Mechanism element.

Mechanism-Editor

The working environment to add kinematic and solid elements.

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-Editor.

Geared Rocker Part

The Part that is driven by a Gear-Pair.

Part-Outline

The rectangular or oval symbol in the graphics-area we use to identify the Base-Part or a Part, respectively.

Motion-Part

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

rotating-Part

A Part that rotates around a Point.

sliding-Part

A Part that slides along a Line.

kinematically-defined Part

A Part that is solved. It 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-Part

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)

A joint in which a Point in two different Parts are made to be coincident.

Slide-Joint

(Prismatic-Joint)

A joint in which a Line in two different Parts are made to be coincident.

Ball-Joint

(Spherical-Joint)

A joint in which a Point in two different Parts that are also in a two different Mechanism-Editors - are made to be coincident.

Magnetic-Joint

A joint to make a circular Profile be in continuous 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 of the Flat-Faced Follower or Follower-Roller that 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.

Flat-Faced Follower

A Follower-Profile that has a flat surface

Cam-Shaft

A Part that is a child to a Cam, and rotates continuously.

Cam-Track

Cam-Groove

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

GEARS

Gear-Pair

Two gears with an external mesh or an internal mesh. You can edit the number-of-teeth, module, and other gear-parameters.

Geared-Rocker

The kinematic element at the output of a gear-pair , whose motion is controlled by the driving gear at the input to the Gear-Pair.

Rack & Pinion

An element that relates the motion Pinion with the motion of a Rack.

Only the Rack or only the Pinion is kinematically-defined before you added the Rack & Pinion.

Rack Driven Pinion

The motion of a Rack drives the motion of a Pinion

Pinion Driven Rack

The motion of a Pinion drives the motion of a Rack

Ball-Screw

A device that rotates to move a nut along the screw, of vice-versa.

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 driven by the motion of a Belt, or the motion of a Belt is driven by the motion of a Pulley.

DIMENSIONS

Dimension

A distance, angle, or length. The Add Dimension command in the Part-Editor can add all types of dimension.

Motion-Dimension FB

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

Measurement FB

A “driven ”dimension* to measure in the Mechanism-Editor an angle or distance between two or three sketch-elements. (* “driven”: it does not control the dimension, we can only observe and analyze its value). The Measurement FB also gives the first and second motion derivatives of the dimension.

FUNCTION-BLOCKS

Function-Blocks - FB

Each Function-Block has an output-connector and an input-connector. The motion-values at the output-connector are a function of the motion-values at its input-connector.  

In this help, we use the acronym FB in place of Function-Block.

Linear-Motion FB

A FB whose output is usually equal to 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.

Pattern FB

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

Briefcase FB

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

Continuous Crank FB

A tool that we force to rotate fully as a Crank when the motion is specified somewhere else in the same kinematic-chain.

Parameter Control FB

a FB that allows you to control a dimension (e.g. the length of a Line) the Extrusion-Depth, and/or the Extrusion-Offset parameters for a Profile-Extrusion element.

3D MODEL ELEMENTS

Solid

MD-Solid

CAD-Solid

An element that you add to develop the 3D-model.

MD-Solid - Profile/Extrusion we add to a sketch-loop.

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 is a copy of 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

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 graphics-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. A kinematically-defined chain has 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)

Pin-Joint

A joint in which a Point in two different Parts that are made to be coincident.

Slide-Joint

A joint in which a Line in two different Parts that are made to be collinear.

Ball-Joint

A joint with a Point in two different Parts - that are are also 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 in each dyad are Pin-Joints and/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

The two Parts are in two Mechanism-Editors

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

Force Terms

Force

The force to move the Parts, and kinematic-chains, with your motion-design, given their mass, inertia, and external Forces.

Torque

The torque needed to rotate a kinematic-chain when the Parts have Mass, Mass Moment of Inertia, and/or external Forces.

Project-Explorer

Project-Explorer

To the left of the graphics-area

Selection-Window

Identify the elements you select in the graphics-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 available when you use the Part-Editor.

Feedback-Area

Message Area

Below the graphics-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 button

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Force Vectors

Torque Vector Scale button

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Torque Vectors

Velocity Vector Scale button

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Velocity Vectors

Acceleration Vector Scale button

Buttons to increase or decrease the length of Acceleration Vectors

Master Machine Angle Slider

The machine clock that increases from 0 to 360, again and again.

Revs

Number of revolutions, or number of machine-cycles.

Sketch-Elements

Dimension

A 'Static' Dimension.

Smart Dimension

Use Add Dimension 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

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 and of the arc, and a center-Point.

Circle

A Circle has a center-Point at its center.

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

Motion-Point

A Point that we add to a sketch-path when you add Motion Path FB

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 part or STL file.

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