Tutorial 1: Add a Part that Rotates - a Crank

Elements :

Description and definition.

Elements :

The physical and abstract objects in the model that we use to build the machine and its motion.  Each 'Add' command adds a new element to the model.

Plane :

A flat surface, defined with two axes - for example the XY-axes

Mechanism-Plane :

The Plane defined by the XY-axes of the active Mechanism-Editor

Mechanism-Editor :

The graphic-area, and the Mechanism-Editor name-tab, and Contextual toolbars

Base-Part :

The fixed Part in a Mechanism-Editor. The Base-Part has a 'rectangular' Part-Outline.

Part :

The Parts to build the machine. Added-Parts have an 'oval' Part-Outline.

Joint :

Kinematic-Joints constrain the relative movement between two Parts.

Pin-Joint :

A Kinematic-Joint that constrains Points in two different Parts to be coincident

Slide-Joint :

A Kinematic-Joint that constrains Lines in two different Parts to be coincident

Kinematic-Chain :

Two or more Parts joined with one or more Joints.

Kinematically-Defined Part [or chain] :

A Part [or Chain] that moves in a manner as specified by at least one Motion-Part

Motion-Part :

A Part whose motion is precisely specified by a Motion-Dimension FB

Motion-Dimension FB :

A Function-Block that specifies the angle or position of a Part

Master-Machine-Angle :

The 'clock' that, when you cycle, moves at a constant rate from 0 to 360, again and again.

Rocker :

A Motion-Part that rotates about a Pin-Joint.

Crank :

A Rocker whose motion is constant angular velocity.

The Angular Velocity is ideal in a sense that it is assumed to be powerful enough to maintain specified velocity regardless of the torque that may resist or assist its rotation.