*ParallelAxesJoint() - parallel axes joint (normal)

Creates a parallel axes joint with its axes specified.

Syntax

*ParallelAxesJoint(joint_name,"joint_label",body_1 body_2, origin, NORMAL, POINT|VECTOR, point|vector)

Arguments

joint_name: The variable name of the parallel axes joint.; Data type: varname
joint_label: The descriptive label of the parallel axes joint.; Data type: label
body_1: The first body constrained by the parallel axes joint.; Data type: Body
body_2: The second body constrained by the parallel axes joint.; Data type: Body
origin: The location of the parallel axes joint for body_1.; Data type: Point
NORMAL: A required argument when a single point or vector is used to define the axes of the joint.
POINT|VECTOR: A keyword that indicates the alignment method.
point|vector: An entity variable referring to a Point or Vector which is based on the above keyword.; Data type: Point or Vector

Example

*Body       "First body",    p_1)
(body_1,
*Body       "Second body",   p_2)
(body_2,
*Point      "First point")
(point_1, 
*Vector     "Global Z")
(v_Z,
*ParallelAxesJoint(j_paraxes, "Parallel axes joint", body_1, 
                                                     body_2, 
                                                     point_1, 
                                                     NORMAL, 
                                                     VECTOR, 
                                                     v_Z)

Context

*BeginMdl()

*DefineAnalysis()

*DefineSystem()

Properties

Table 1.
Property	Returns Data Type	Description
b1	Body	The first body constrained by the parallel axes joint.
b2	Body	The second body constrained by the parallel axes joint.
i	Marker	The marker on b1.
id	long integer	Solver identification number.
j	Marker	The marker on b2.
label	string	The descriptive label of the parallel axes joint.
state	boolean	Control state (TRUE or FALSE).
type	string	Unique joint type.
varname	string	The variable name of the parallel axes joint.

Comments

A parallel axes joint constrains the relative rotation between two bodies such that the two axes always stay parallel. The axes may be defined by either specifying a point or vector (using the NORMAL flag for the sixth argument) or specifying two points or vectors that lie in the plane normal to the axes (using the INPLANE flag for the sixth argument).

When a point is used (instead of a vector) to define an axis, it is obtained as the direction from the origin of the joint to the specified point.