Test and verify joints

After creating a joint (by either joint insertion or conversion of constraints), you can verify the function of the mechanism in several ways. After using Mechanism Status and Redundancies to eliminate redundant constraints , you can test the new solution. (Mechanism Status and Redundancies is described elsewhere.) You can also drive the mechanism without actually running a simulation . There are several ways of driving a mechanism. One way is to use Dynamic Part Motion, which is described elsewhere. Other ways are described below:

Dynamic part motion light

Use the drag and move feature that is available in both the Assembly and the Dynamic Simulation environments to drive the mechanism. This mode is like Dynamic Part Motion, but you have less control. For example, you cannot control the damping of the global motion.

Note: If the parts you drag and move are connected to joints, they behave according to the degrees of freedom in the joints. However, you can also drag and move parts that are not connected to joints. It is important that you study your mechanism carefully so that you know the type of motion you are seeing.

1. In the graphics window, click a point on the part you want to move.
2. While holding down the mouse button, move the part.

   A tooltip appears with the message Drag component to new location.

3. When you want to stop moving the part in this way, release the mouse button.

   The display in the graphics window retains the position it is in when you release the mouse button.

Show Me how to drag parts to simulate motion

Kinematic motion

Drive the mechanism by changing the initial position of a degree of freedom of a standard joint. This process enables you to verify that the kinematic function of a mechanism is correct and to find the limits of correct functioning.

1. In the Dynamic Simulation browser, right-click the standard joint of interest and select Properties.
2. Click the DOF tab for the degree of freedom of interest.

   The Initial conditions dialog box appears by default.

3. Incrementally increase the degree of freedom position (angle for a Revolution, distance for a Prismatic) while observing the effect on the mechanism in the graphics window.

   The display in the graphics window changes in response to changes in the position.

   • Make sure that the Locked box is not checked.
   • Click the Position field.
   • Increase and decrease the value with the up down arrows or with the scroll wheel.

   If there are bounds set for the value and you reach either a minimum or a maximum bound, an error message appears.