*PlanarJoint() - planar joint (normal)

Creates a planar joint with the normal specified.

Syntax

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

Arguments

joint_name: The variable name of the planar joint.; Data type: varname

joint_label: The descriptive label of the planar joint.; Data type: label
body_1: The first body constrained by the planar joint.; Data type: Body
body_2: The second body constrained by the planar joint.; Data type: Body
origin: The location of the planar joint.; Data type: Point
NORMAL: A required argument when a point or vector is used to define a normal to the plane of the joint.
POINT|VECTOR: A keyword that indicates the alignment method.
point|vector: A point or vector that defines a normal to the plane of the planar joint.; Data type: Point or Vector

Example

*Body(body_1,          "First body", p_1)
*Body(body_2,          "Second body", p_2)
*Point(point_1,        "First point")
*Vector(v_Z,           "Global Z")
*PlanarJoint(j_planar, "Planar 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 planar joint.
b2	Body	The second body constrained by the planar 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 planar joint.
state	boolean	Control state (TRUE or FALSE).
type	string	Unique joint type.
varname	string	The variable name of the planar joint.

Comments

A planar joint constrains two bodies so as to restrict relative motion between the two bodies to the xy plane and allow relative rotation about the z-axis only. The joint plane may be defined by either specifying the normal to the plane (using the NORMAL flag for the sixth argument) or specifying three points (or vectors) lying in the plane (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.