Spring/Damper/Jack joint properties

Access:

In the Dynamic Simulation browser, right-click a spring/damper/jack joint , and then select Properties.

After inserting a spring/damper/jack joint, use this command to define environmental variables for the joint. The available parameters depend on the type of spring/damper/jack joint. Set the type in the second half of the dialog box.

Suppress actuator

Excludes the joint from all calculations. When this field is selected, the spring/damper/jack joint is excluded from all calculations and all of the other fields in this dialog box are disabled. When this field is unselected, the spring/damper/jack joint is included in all calculations and the fields are enabled. The default is for the joint to be included in all calculations.

The other available parameters depend on the type of spring/damper/jack joint. Set the type in the bottom half of the dialog box.

Spiral spring, spring, and spring damper

For these springs, the available parameters in the top half of the window are Stiffness , Free length , and Damping .
The text boxes in the top half of the dialog box give you the option of entering a constant value or a variable value. Clicking opens a menu that gives you the choice of Constant value or Input grapher. Constant value is the default. If you choose Constant value, you can enter the value in the text box. If you choose Input grapher, appears in the text box. Clicking this icon opens the Input Grapher, which you use to define values that vary during simulation .
Stiffness	Sets the spring stiffness. The software applies an action/reaction force on the two attachment points. The force is F = KX, where F is the force applied, K is stiffness, and X is the elongation of the spring (that is length minus free length).
Free length	Indicates the length at which the spring exerts no force. By default, the software sets free length as the distance between the two attachment points at the time of the construction.
	Updates the free length to the current distance between the two attachment points.
Damping	Sets the spring damping. The software applies an action/reaction force on the two attachment points. The force is F = CV, where F is the force applied, C is damping, and V is the relative velocity between the two attachment points.
(More)	Displays additional parameters. Except for the type of Spring/Damper/Jack joint, all of the following parameters affect only the display of the joint in the graphics window.
Type	Sets the type of spring/damper/jack. This selection determines the parameters available.
Dimensions
Radius	Sets the radius of the spiral spring, the spring, or the spring damper.
For the spring damper, another dimension is available.
Length	Sets the length of the spring damper.
Properties
Facets	Sets the number of facets of the spiral spring, the spring, or the spring damper.
Turns	Sets the number of turns of the spiral spring, the spring, or the spring damper.
For the spiral spring and the spring damper, another property is available.
Wire radius	Sets the radius of the wire used to make the spiral spring or the spring damper.

Damper and jack

For a damper only, the following parameter is available:
Damping	Sets the spring damping. The software applies an action/reaction force on the two attachment points. The force is F = CV, where F is the force applied, C is damping, and V is the relative velocity between the two attachment points. The text boxes in the top half of the dialog box give you the option of entering a constant value or a value that varies during simulation. Clicking opens a menu that gives you the choice of Constant value or Input grapher. Constant value is the default. If Constant value is the selection, you can enter the value in the text box. If Input grapher is the selection, appears in the text box. Clicking this icon opens the Input Grapher, which you use to define values that vary during simulation.
For a jack only, the following parameter is available:
	Opens the Input Grapher so that you can define the value of the force of the jack during simulation. Note: A positive value gives the repulsive force, a negative value gives the force of attraction between the two attachment points.
(More)	Displays additional parameters. Except for the type of Spring/Damper/Jack joint, all of the following parameters affect only the display of the joint in the graphics window.
Dimensions
Radius	Sets the radius of the damper or jack.
Length	Sets the length of the damper or jack.
Properties
Facets	Sets the number of facets of the spring.

The following display parameters are available for all types of spring/damper/jack joint:
Transparency	Adjusts the transparency of the joint in the graphics window.
Color	Opens the Microsoft Color window so that you can select the color of the joint.
Display	Displays the joint force vector in the graphics window and enables you to set the scale and color of the joint for display.
Scale	Sets the scale of the joint force vector. Use this option to make all of the vector visible in the graphics window. The default is 0.01.
Display color	Opens the Microsoft Color window so that you can select the color of the joint force vector when displayed.