AnalyzingAssembliesI UsingRigidLinksLecture UsingRigidLinks.

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Using Rigid Links

Rigid links are assigned to restrict relative displacement between entities.

References: Points, Edges, and Surfaces No relative displacement No deformation

Before Rigid Links Added

After Rigid Links Added LectureNotes Using Rigid Links

Rigid Links in Mechanica can be assigned between points, edges, and surfaces. Entities assigned to a rigid connection will not experience displacement relative to each other. The entities will move together as though part of the same rigid body, and the entities themselves will not deform. Best Practices Rigid links can be ideal for situations in which the entities being selecting are not in direct contact with each other, and hence would not be bonded by the assembly. You cannot create a rigid connection from one point to another single point. If you want to create a rigid connection between two points, you must select or create a third point to complete the rigid connection definition. UsingRigidLinksDemonstration UsingRigidLinks_demo.mp4 UsingRigidLinksProcedure

Procedure: Using Rigid Links

Scenario
Create a Rigid Link between entities in an assembly. CreateRigidLink rigid_connection.asm

Task 1. Open the Mechanica application and create a Rigid Link.

1. Click Applications > Mechanica. 2. Click Named View List > ZOOM1 to zoom in on the holes on the left side of the RIGID_CONNECTION.ASM assembly. 3. Click Rigid Link from the Mechanica toolbar.

4. Select the surface inside the hole on the TOP.PRT part as shown in the figure.

5. Press CTRL and select the surface inside the hole on the BOTTOM.PRT part as shown in the figure.

6. The dialog box should now appear as shown in the figure. Click OK to complete the Rigid Link Definition and close the dialog box.

7. Note the creation of the Rigid Link as indicated by the icon shown in the figure.

8. Click Named View List > ZOOM2 to zoom in on the holes on the right side of the RIGID_CONNECTION.ASM assembly. 9. Repeat steps 3 through 7 for the holes on the right side of the model.

Task 2. Save the model and erase it from memory.

1. Return to the Standard Pro/ENGINEER mode by clicking Applications > Standard. 2. Click Save from the main toolbar and click OK to save the model. 3. Click File > Close Window from the main menu.

4. Click File > Erase > Not Displayed > OK to erase the model from memory. This completes the procedure.