Defining Bolts

You can use a bolt to connect an assembly component to another component with a specified bolt tension applied along the bolt hole. You can also use a bolt to connect two regions of the same part. You can apply the bolt tension load directly, or the simulation can calculate the tension from the bolt diameter and a specified torque and torque coefficient.

See Also
About Virtual Bolts
Replicating Virtual Bolts
Creating Simulation Features
Support Selection
  1. From the Connections section of the action bar, click Bolts .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. Select the bolt type:
    OptionDescription
    Standard Bolt has a circular head and nut. The distinction between the bolt head and the nut is mostly arbitrary.
    Countersunk Bolt has a conical head and a circular nut.
  4. Select the geometry support for the Head:
    • To define a standard bolt, select a circular edge.
    • To define a countersunk bolt, select a conical face.

    After you select the Head, a circular edge (or cylindrical face) is automatically preselected for you as the Nut support.

  5. Optional: If the preselected nut location is not correct, change the geometry selection as follows:
    • To define a through hole, select a circular edge or a cylindrical face.
    • To define a blind threaded hole, select a cylindrical face.

    Note: The geometry supports for the head and the nut (or blind hole) must be concentric.

    Based on the diameter of the geometry supports you selected, values appear for the following:

    • The Head diameter (for standard bolts only)
    • The Nut diameter (for through holes only)
    • The Nominal diameter of the bolt
  6. Optional: If desired, enter new values for the head, nut, and bolt diameters.

    Tip: For standard bolts, you can click to make the nut diameter equal to the head diameter.

  7. Define the clamping force between the head and the nut by doing one of the following:
    • Select Bolt load, and enter the axial force that is applied along the cylindrical axis of the bolt. This force is a tension that pulls the bolt head and nut together.

    • Select Bolt torque, and enter values for the torque applied to the bolt and the Torque coefficient. Torque is measured in units of force times distance; for example, Newton-meters (N m).

  8. Click OK.