SLC Mechanical training / Part 2 (Simulation)

Introduction

This tutorial guides you through the process of adding mechanical joints to your model in SimLab Composer and performing a multi-body dynamic simulation. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to create animations based on simulation results, enhancing your understanding of mechanical systems and their behaviors.

Step 1: Add Mechanical Joints

To begin your simulation, you need to add mechanical joints to your model. Follow these steps:

1. Open Your Model in SimLab Composer

   • Ensure you have imported your model successfully from Part 1 of the training series.

2. Access the Joints Tool

   • Navigate to the "Mechanical" tab in the toolbar.
   • Select the "Joints" option to view the available joint types.

3. Select Joint Types

   Choose the type of joint you need for your model. Common types include

   • Revolute Joint
   • Prismatic Joint
   • Spherical Joint

4. Define Joint Properties

   • Click on the parts of your model where you want to attach the joints.
   • Adjust the properties of each joint (e.g., limits of motion, axis of rotation).

5. Visualize the Joints

   • Use the visualization tools to ensure that the joints are correctly placed and functioning as intended.

Step 2: Perform Multi-Body Dynamic Simulation

Once your joints are in place, you can perform the multi-body dynamic simulation. Here’s how:

1. Set Up Simulation Parameters

   • Go to the "Simulation" tab.

   Define the simulation parameters such as

   • Simulation time
   • Time step
   • Gravity settings

2. Run the Simulation

   • Click on the "Start Simulation" button to begin the simulation process.
   • Monitor the simulation to check for any errors or unexpected behaviors.

3. Analyze Simulation Results

   • After the simulation completes, review the results.
   • Look for key metrics like velocities, accelerations, and forces acting on your model.

Step 3: Create Animation from Simulation Results

You can create animations based on the results of your simulation. Follow these steps:

1. Access the Animation Tool

   • Go to the "Animation" tab in the toolbar.

2. Select Simulation Data

   • Choose the relevant data from your simulation results that you want to animate.

3. Define Animation Settings

   Set parameters for the animation, including

   • Duration
   • Frame rate

4. Preview the Animation

   • Use the preview feature to watch the animation.
   • Make adjustments as needed to achieve the desired effect.

5. Export the Animation

   • Once satisfied, export the animation in your preferred format (e.g., video file, GIF).

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to add mechanical joints to your model, perform a multi-body dynamic simulation, and create animations based on simulation results in SimLab Composer. These skills will enhance your ability to visualize and understand mechanical systems.

Next steps may include experimenting with different joint types, adjusting simulation parameters, or exploring advanced features in SimLab Composer to further refine your models and simulations.