S4-1 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation SECTION 4 PARAMETRICS: OVERVIEW

S4-2 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation

S4-3 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation PARAMETRICS: OVERVIEW n What’s in this section: u Tools for parametrics

S4-4 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS n F(x) on Main Toolbox n F(  ) on Main Toolbox n Use of construction point n Parametrics in vertical applications

S4-5 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS (CONT.) n F(x) on Main Toolbox u Ties the location of one object to another. u Options: l Collapse - Maintains no offset LOC_RELATIVE_TO({0,0,0}, Frame Object) l Maintain - Maintains existing offset LOC_RELATIVE_TO({ }, Frame Object)

S4-6 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS (CONT.) n F(  ) on Main Toolbox u Option 1: Same As l ORI_RELATIVE_TO n Collapse - Maintains no offset n Maintain - Maintains existing angular offset u Option 2 (most common): Along Axis l ORI_ALONG_AXIS n Step 1 - Choose axis in Main Toolbox container n Step 2 - Pick object to be parameterized (slave) n Step 3 - Choose axis start location n Step 4 - Choose axis end location u Option 3: In Plane l ORI_IN_PLANE

S4-7 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS (CONT.) n Use of construction points l The difference between a marker and a point is that you can define location and orientation on a marker, but can only define location on a point. l Can belong to any part, but the grounded part is typically chosen. l Typically used to tie mechanism information (geometry, joints, forces, and so on) to that key location of interest. u Options: l Don’t Attach: Parametric relationships not formed at the location. l Attach Near: Applies the LOC_RELATIVE_TO expression to locations of all visible objects “close” to the point being created. The algorithm used to define “close” is a function of screen coordinates, not mechanism length units. When you right-click on an object, the Select dialog box opens, displaying the objects that are considered “close” to that object. Notice in the example shown on the next page, that as you zoom out, the number of “close” objects increases.

S4-8 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS (CONT.) Zoomed in

S4-9 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS (CONT.) Zoomed out More objects attached

S4-10 ADM , Section 4, August 2005 Copyright  2005 MSC.Software Corporation TOOLS FOR PARAMETRICS (CONT.) n Parametrics in vertical applications u Parametrics in the MSC.ADAMS vertical products are based on a slightly different paradigm. They use hardpoints and construction frames. For more information, refer to the tutorials in the online help for ADAMS/Car and ADAMS/Engine.