Insert a joint

Use Insert Joint to add standard, rolling, sliding, 2D contact, and force joints . For standard joints, this option is an alternative to converting assembly constraints to joints, either automatically or one joint at a time. For all other joint types, this option is the only way to add a joint.

A typical workflow for inserting joints in mechanisms is:

1. Decide the type of joint you need.

   Consider the number and types of degrees of freedom you have and the number and types you need, plus the additional considerations of force and contacts.

2. If you know of any geometric entities that define the coordinate system on either of the two components, go back to Assembly and Part to add those entities.
3. On the ribbon, click Dynamic Simulation tab Joint panel Insert Joint .
4. Select the appropriate joint type either from the joint menu or from the Joints Table.
5. Make any other selections necessary to define the joint.

   For example, select the type of belt you want for a belt joint or whether you want to add a 1-constraint joint or a 2-constraint joint for certain rolling joint types.

   When a selected entity is available, the next step is automatically activated without you clicking the red selection arrow icon. If the joint coordinate system is in the correct configuration after the first step, you can skip coordinate system definition steps. To do that, click the red selection arrow icon for the next entity you want to select. However, it is recommended that you define each coordinate system.

6. Define the joint coordinate system for the first component and then define the joint coordinate system on the second component.

   The joint coordinate system on the first component selected, when inserting the joint (sometimes called the parent component or parent part), becomes the coordinate system of the joint.

   The selectable entities are:

   Point	point (part, sketch, construction, and so on), extremity of a linear edge, circular edge, and spherical surfaces (returns the center)
   Axis	linear edge (part, sketch, construction, and so on), circular surface, cylindrical surface, conical and toroidal surfaces (returns the revolution axis)
   Plane	planar surface, construction plane
   Loop	circular surface, cylindrical surface, conical and toroidal surfaces
   Cylinder	circular surface, cylindrical surface
   Cone	conical and toroidal surfaces
   Component	any component with one or more degrees of freedom between it and an adjacent component

   Tip:

   • To define a Z-axis and an origin in a single operation, select a circular edge.
   • When an axis is required and a cylindrical surface or linear edge is selected, the origin is set at middle of the entity.
   • As long as the addition of the joint is not validated, you can change a choice.
7. Click OK or Apply.

   Both add the joint, but OK also closes the dialog box.

Available joint types

Permanent joints

Standard	Rolling	Sliding	Force
revolution	belt	sliding cylinder on plane	spring/damper/jack
prismatic	rolling cylinder on plane	sliding cylinder on cylinder
cylindrical	rolling cylinder on cylinder	sliding cylinder in cylinder
spherical	rolling cylinder in cylinder	sliding cylinder on curve
planar	rolling cylinder on curve	sliding point on curve
point-line	rolling cone on plane
line-plane	rolling cone on cone
point-plane	rolling cone in cone
spatial	screw
welding	worm gear

Non-permanent joints

Contact	Force
2D contact	3D contact