Geometry
Geometry components in the template-based products allow you to easily build parametric representations of standard parts. If mass and inertia information is unavailable, you can automatically calculate the mass of the general part based on the size of the geometry.
You can build the following simple geometry components that will be saved to the subsystem file:
Note that the computed mass properties, based on geometry, are not parametric by default. Your template-based product does not update the mass properties when the geometry changes, if hardpoints have changed position, for example. If you want to have the part mass re-computed, based upon a part's geometry, you must explicitly have your template-based product compute the mass properties based on the changed geometry, by Calculating Mass for the General Part, using the Build or Adjust menus. You can also parameterize the mass and inertia values to
Parameter Variables.
Alternatively, you can change the mass properties to user-defined values by modifying the General Part, using the Build or Adjust menus.
There are a few tools to control visibility of part geometry at the subsystem level. In the Standard Interface, you can right-click on a part and select Hide/Show to turn off/on visibility of all geometry belonging to that part. The part itself remains visible so that you can see its markers. If you need to control visibility of individual geometry children, place them in groups and control the groups' activity with parameter variables. For more information on this topic, see
Controlling Geometry Visibility Arm Geometry
An arm part is a solid triangular plate defined by three
Coordinate References and a thickness. If necessary, you can automatically update the mass and inertia properties of the general part.
In Adams Car, you could use the arm geometry to view the control arm of a MacPherson suspension.
In Standard Interface, to modify arm geometry:
1. Right-click an arm geometry, and then select Modify.
2. Press
F1 and then follow the instructions in the dialog box help for
Modify Arm.
3. Select OK.
In Template Builder, to create or modify arm geometry:
1. From the Build menu, point to Geometry, point to Arm, and then select New/Modify.
3. Select OK.
Link and Cylinder Geometry
The link and cylinder geometry are very similar. The only differences exist in the method used to define the geometry:
■The link geometry consists of a cylinder whose ends you define using two hardpoint locations and a radius. You can use links to view the tie rods of certain suspensions.
■You define the cylinder using a construction frame, rather than two hardpoints. The centerline of the cylinder follows the z-axis of the construction frame. You can define the cylinder so that it has length in both the positive and negative z-axis. You can use cylinders to view the strut rods of certain suspensions.
If necessary, you can automatically update the mass and inertia properties of the general part.
Creating or Modifying Link Geometry
In Standard Interface, to modify link geometry:
1. Right-click a link, and then select Modify.
2. Press
F1 and then follow the instructions in the dialog box help for
Modify Link.
3. Select OK.
In Template Builder, to create or modify link geometry:
1. From the Build menu, point to Geometry, point to Link, and then select New/Modify.
3. Select OK.
Creating or Modifying Cylinder Geometry
To create or modify link geometry:
1. From the Build menu, point to Geometry, point to Cylinder, and then select New/Modify.
3. Select OK.
Ellipsoid Geometry
An ellipsoid geometry is defined by a
Coordinate Reference and a user-specification of x, y, and z dimensions. You can use ellipsoids to represent spherical elements of your template. A sphere is an ellipsoid whose x, y, and z radii have the same values.
You can use two different methods of defining an ellipsoid:
■Use a link to define the radius and then specify a scaling factor in each of the orthogonal axes
■Define a measurement in each axis
If necessary, you can automatically update the mass and inertia properties of the general part.
To create or modify ellipsoid geometry:
1. From the Build menu, point to Geometry, point to Ellipsoid, and then select New/Modify.
3. Select OK.
Outline Geometry
You can use the outline to draw a line between different hardpoint locations. You can choose to define either an open or a closed outline. In general, you would use outlines to visualize the general form of parts. For example, you would add outline geometry to represent the subframe of a vehicle.
Because the geometry entity has no thickness, you cannot update the mass and inertia properties of an outline.
To create or modify outline geometry:
1. From the Build menu, point to Geometry, point to Outline, and then select New/Modify.
3. Select OK.
B-spline Geometry
You can use the B-spline to draw a line between several reference coordinates. You can choose to define either an open or a closed spline. In general, you would use B-splines to visualize the general form of parts. For example, you could add B-spline geometry to represent the profile of an anti-roll bar.
Because the spline entity has no thickness, you cannot update the mass and inertia properties of an B-spline.
To create or modify B-spline geometry:
1. From the Build menu, point to Geometry, point to Bspline, and then select New/Modify.
3. Select OK.