Virtual Connector - Joints

Create joints in SimSolid.

Purpose

SimSolid performs meshless structural analysis that works on full featured parts and assemblies, is tolerant of geometric imperfections, and runs in seconds to minutes. In this tutorial, you will do the following:
  • Learn how to create joints - hinge, linear guide, and virtual pins.

Model Description

The following model file is needed for this tutorial:
  • Joints_Hinge_LinearGuide.ssp


Figure 1.
This file has the following specifications:
  • Material is set to Steel for all parts.
  • Modal analysis is pre-defined.

Open Project

Open the SimSolid project file.

  1. Start a new SimSolid session.
  2. Click the (Open Project) icon.


    Figure 2.
  3. In the Open project file dialog, choose Joints_Hinge_LinearGuide.ssp
  4. Click OK.

Create Hinge Joints

Create hinge joints on selected faces.

  1. On the Connections workbench, select > Joints.


    Figure 3.
  2. In the dialog, select the Hinge radio button.
  3. In the modeling window, select the faces as shown in orange in Figure 4.
    Figure 4.
    Joint center and axis are automatically picked based on selected faces. The values can be edited if needed.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to create hinge joints at the locations shown in Figure 5.
    Figure 5.

Create Linear Guide Joint

Create a linear guide joint on selected faces.

  1. On the Connections workbench, select > Joints.
  2. In the dialog, select the Linear Guide radio button.
  3. In the In the modeling window, select the faces as shown in orange in Figure 6
    1. Select Face 6, part6 first.
    2. Right-click on Face 6, part6 and select Hide > Selected parts from the context menu.
    3. Select Part 21, Cilindro.


    Figure 6.
    Joint center and axis are automatically picked based on selected faces. The values can be edited if needed.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to create linear guide joints at the locations shown in Figure 7.


    Figure 7.

Create Virtual Pin

Create a virtual pin on selected faces.

  1. On the Connections workbench, select > Pin.
  2. In the dialog, verify the Rotating radio button is selected.
  3. In the In the modeling window, select the faces as shown in orange in Figure 8.


    Figure 8.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to create virtual pins at the locations shown in Figure 9.


    Figure 9.
    Note: The differences between a hinge joint and a virtual pin are as follows:
    • Hinge joints allow only rotation about the said axis whereas pins can be rotating/bonded/sliding.
    • Virtual pins are used to only connect cylindrical faces whereas hinge joint doesn’t have a restriction on the type of face.
    • Virtual pins can connect more than two parts whereas Joints are limited to two parts.

Review Connections

Find disconnected groups of parts in the model.

  1. On the Connections workbench, click (Find and show disconnected groups of parts).


    Figure 10.
    A message appears stating that the model has no disconnected groups of parts.


    Figure 11.
  2. Click OK.

Run Analysis

Solve the analysis.

  1. In the Project Tree, open the Analysis Workbench.
  2. Click (Solve).

Review Results

Plot the displacement contour.

  1. During the analysis, when the warning message appears, click Yes.
  2. On the Analysis workbench toolbar, click the (Results plot) icon.
  3. Select Displacement Magnitude.
    The Legend window will open and display the contour plot. The Frequency (Hz) window will open and display the modes.
    Figure 12.