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Set up a dynamic simulation to analyze the bucket and cylinder assembly on a front loader model.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
4 min.
Tutorial resources
These downloadable resources will be used to complete this tutorial:
Transcript
00:04
In Inventor, the Dynamic Simulation environment allows you to simulate and analyze the motion of an assembly
00:10
and extract the forces, reaction forces, and loads that the parts in the assembly see under normal operating conditions.
00:19
To start, from the Quick Access Toolbar, click Projects.
00:23
In the Projects dialog, click Browse, navigate to where the project files are saved, select Assy, Chassis, Front DS.ipj, and then click Open.
00:35
In the Projects dialog, click Done.
00:39
From the Quick Access Toolbar, click Open, select Assy, Chassis, Front DS.iam, and then click Open.
00:49
In the Model browser, Model States folder, right-click Dynamic Simulation and select Activate.
00:57
On the ribbon, in the Environments tab, Begin panel, click Dynamic Simulation.
01:03
The Simulation Player opens.
01:05
In the Model browser, collapse the Grounded item group.
01:10
In the Graphics window, select the hydraulic cylinder assembly.
01:14
This highlights the applied Standard Joints of Revolution and Cylindrical in the Model browser.
01:19
Right-click Cylindrical: 2 and select Properties.
01:24
In the Joint Properties dialog, on the dof 2 (T) tab, enter an initial condition Position value of 400 mm.
01:33
Click OK.
01:35
You can apply load forces to the bucket.
01:38
On the ribbon, in the Dynamic Simulation tab, Load panel, click Force.
01:44
In the graphics window, select a point on the bottom of the bucket on the left side, and then select the edge to specify the load direction.
01:52
In the Force dialog, click Flip to flip the load direction, so that it is pointing down.
01:58
Under Magnitude, switch to Associative Load Direction, enter a value of 1250 N, and then click Apply.
02:07
Repeat these Force steps on the mirror opposite side of the bucket.
02:13
Click OK to close the Force dialog.
02:17
These forces now appear under External Loads in the Model browser.
02:22
The kind of force that the cylinder needs to apply to lift the bucket is not known.
02:27
In the Results panel, click Unknown Force.
02:31
Expand the Unknown Force dialog, disable Display, and then click OK.
02:37
The Output Grapher window appears and the simulation runs.
02:41
You may need to move the Output Grapher to the side to see the simulation being run in the graphics window.
02:47
The Output Grapher is important to Dynamic Simulation, as it extracts what is needed to be applied to each joint during operation.
02:57
Notice as it runs through the steps, the bucket lifts and the cylinder extends.
03:03
The red curve represents the unknown force, and the angled blue line represents the cylindrical position.
03:09
Once the simulation completes, under the Force Unknown column, right-click Step 200, and select Search Max.
03:17
Right-click the highlighted Step 0, and select Curve Properties.
03:22
Note the Maximum force value.
03:26
This matches the maximum displayed in the Output Grapher.
03:30
Close the Properties dialog box.
03:32
Close the Output Grapher.
03:35
To exit the animation, in the Simulation Player, click Construction Mode.
03:40
Be sure to Save your work.
Video transcript
00:04
In Inventor, the Dynamic Simulation environment allows you to simulate and analyze the motion of an assembly
00:10
and extract the forces, reaction forces, and loads that the parts in the assembly see under normal operating conditions.
00:19
To start, from the Quick Access Toolbar, click Projects.
00:23
In the Projects dialog, click Browse, navigate to where the project files are saved, select Assy, Chassis, Front DS.ipj, and then click Open.
00:35
In the Projects dialog, click Done.
00:39
From the Quick Access Toolbar, click Open, select Assy, Chassis, Front DS.iam, and then click Open.
00:49
In the Model browser, Model States folder, right-click Dynamic Simulation and select Activate.
00:57
On the ribbon, in the Environments tab, Begin panel, click Dynamic Simulation.
01:03
The Simulation Player opens.
01:05
In the Model browser, collapse the Grounded item group.
01:10
In the Graphics window, select the hydraulic cylinder assembly.
01:14
This highlights the applied Standard Joints of Revolution and Cylindrical in the Model browser.
01:19
Right-click Cylindrical: 2 and select Properties.
01:24
In the Joint Properties dialog, on the dof 2 (T) tab, enter an initial condition Position value of 400 mm.
01:33
Click OK.
01:35
You can apply load forces to the bucket.
01:38
On the ribbon, in the Dynamic Simulation tab, Load panel, click Force.
01:44
In the graphics window, select a point on the bottom of the bucket on the left side, and then select the edge to specify the load direction.
01:52
In the Force dialog, click Flip to flip the load direction, so that it is pointing down.
01:58
Under Magnitude, switch to Associative Load Direction, enter a value of 1250 N, and then click Apply.
02:07
Repeat these Force steps on the mirror opposite side of the bucket.
02:13
Click OK to close the Force dialog.
02:17
These forces now appear under External Loads in the Model browser.
02:22
The kind of force that the cylinder needs to apply to lift the bucket is not known.
02:27
In the Results panel, click Unknown Force.
02:31
Expand the Unknown Force dialog, disable Display, and then click OK.
02:37
The Output Grapher window appears and the simulation runs.
02:41
You may need to move the Output Grapher to the side to see the simulation being run in the graphics window.
02:47
The Output Grapher is important to Dynamic Simulation, as it extracts what is needed to be applied to each joint during operation.
02:57
Notice as it runs through the steps, the bucket lifts and the cylinder extends.
03:03
The red curve represents the unknown force, and the angled blue line represents the cylindrical position.
03:09
Once the simulation completes, under the Force Unknown column, right-click Step 200, and select Search Max.
03:17
Right-click the highlighted Step 0, and select Curve Properties.
03:22
Note the Maximum force value.
03:26
This matches the maximum displayed in the Output Grapher.
03:30
Close the Properties dialog box.
03:32
Close the Output Grapher.
03:35
To exit the animation, in the Simulation Player, click Construction Mode.
03:40
Be sure to Save your work.
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