When you start MechDesigner, you will see the default motion in MotionDesigner.

Each motion has Motion name-tab . You can add more motions. You can rename each motion.

You can show plots for one to four motion-derivatives: Position, Velocity, Acceleration, and/or Jerk.

The lowest motion-derivative is at the top, with increasing motion-derivatives below. The image above shows the plot for Position at the top and Velocity below.

Each motion is split into Segments. Each segment begins and ends with a Blend-Point (or Node).

The Y-axis values and Units are to the left of each plot and motion-derivative .

The X-axis values and Units are below the bottom plot. The values and units are common to all motion-derivatives. Typically, the X-axis values have a range from 0 to 360 degrees. You can change the units for the Y-axis and X-axis with the Active Motion Settings dialog.

You split each motion into segments.

Each Segment has a Segment-Width.

Segments join together, end-to-end (they concatenate), to create a motion, over one machine-cycle of (usually) 360º

You must select a Motion-Law for each Segment with the Motion-Law Selector.

The mathematical-function of the Motion-Law, together with the motion-values at its start and end, control the shape of the Segment.

Segment-Editor

The Segment Editor edits the Selected-Segment.

You can use the Segment-Editor to edit the:

•Segment-Width (X2 – X1)

•motion-value Y1 at X1

•motion-value Y2 at X2

•Motion-Law

Depending on the Motion-Law, you may be able to control its:

•motion-values Y1 and Y2 of one or all of its motion-derivatives: P, V, A, J.

•Segment-Parameters ( not all Motion-Laws )

•Segment Range ( not all Motion-Laws )

Motions are split at Blend-Points, at the start and end of each Segment.

A Blend-Point does not have a SEGMENT-WIDTH.

A Blend-Point has one X-axis value (X1 in the image) and two Y-axis values (Y1 at the end of the Previous-Segment, and Y2 at the start of the Selected-Segment) - see image above. The Y1 and Y2 values can be equal or different.

Blend-Point Editor

The Blend-Point Editor controls the motion-values of the Blend-Point at the start (beginning, left side) of the Selected-Segment.

Use the Blend-Point Editor to edit the:

•value X1

•motion-value Y1 at the End of the Previous-Segment of one or all of its motion-derivatives: P, V, A, J

•motion-value Y2 at the Start of the Selected-Segment of one or all of its motion-derivatives: P, V, A, J

Motion-Law :  

(Cam-Law) :

You must select a Motion-Law for each Segment. Each type of Motion-Law has a name. The Motion-Law should be able to satisfy the motion requirements for your design. Each Motion-Law is a mathematical function. The Motion-Law, together with the motion-values at its start and end, control the motion-values between each Blend-Point.

We use the term Motion-Law rather than Cam-Law as you can also apply your motion-design to Hydraulic or Air Cylinders, and Servomotors.

Motion-Derivative :

Velocity, Acceleration, and Jerk the three motion-derivatives of Position.

Segment Editor :

Use the Segment Editor to edit the Segment-Width, to select the Motion-Law, to edit the Segment-Parameters, and to edit the motion-values at the Start of the Selected-Segment and at the End of the Selected-Segment.

Blend-Point Editor :

Use the Blend-Point Editor to edit the motion-values for the Blend-Point that is at the start of the Selected-Segment.

You can edit the Y-axis values at the “End of the Previous-Segment,” y1, and at the “Start of the Selected-Segment,” Y2.

You can also edit the X-axis value for the Blend-Point at the start of the Selected-Segment.

Selected-Segment :

The segment to which you apply the motion-values that are in the Segment Editor.

The Blend-Point Editor applies its motion-values to the Blend-Point that is at the start of the Selected-Segment.

In the motion graphs, the Selected-Segment is a different color to the other segments.

Previous-Segment :

The segment that precedes (is to the left of / is earlier than / is before) the Selected-Segment. If the Selected-Segment is the first segment, then the Previous-Segment is the last segment.

Next-Segment :

The segment that follows (is to the right of / is later than / is after) the Selected-Segment. If the Selected-Segment is the last segment, then the Next-Segment is the first segment.

“End of the Previous-Segment” :

Refers to the last motion-value of the segment that is one segment to the left of the Selected-Segment.

If the Selected-Segment is Segment 1, then the End of the Previous-Segment is the motion-value at the end of the motion.

“Start of the Selected-Segment” :

Refers to the first motion-value of the Selected-Segment.

Match, Flow :

To force (with a Control-Button) the motion-value at the start of the Selected-Segment to be equal to the motion-value at the end of the Previous-Segment.

There are two triangles at each Blend-Point.

Blend-Point

Active Blend-Point - has an outline. The Blend-Point that is at the start of the Selected-Segment.

The Start of a Segment. The symbol may be Green, Black, Clear, or Grey.

The End of a Segment. The symbol may be Black, Clear, or Grey.

Note: To increase the size of the symbols, see: Active-Motion-Settings > Accessibility tab > Line and Symbol Sizes > Symbol Size.