Kinematic Mechanisms and Tracks

You can create kinematic tracks in either simulation mode using a manufacturing simulation or workplan mode in a PPR context.

In simulation mode, kinematic tracks are authored inside excitations. The allowed moving objects are mechanisms of products and resources.

In workplan mode, kinematic tracks are authored in an operation in a PPR Context. The allowed moving objects are mechanisms of products implemented by the operation or mechanisms of resources implementing the operation.

You can create the following:

• One track under an operation of a mechanism
• Multiple tracks of the same mechanism sequenced in a single operation or under Excitation
• Multiple tracks of the same mechanism under different operations in series.

In the context of creating tracks, mechanisms cannot be solved, and you cannot define or use a home position.

Mechanism selection depends on whether there are multiple mechanisms and also the working mode.

When you start making a kinematic track, if there is more than one mechanism associated with the part that is the active simulation object (ASO), the Kinematic Track: Mechanism Selection dialog box appears. Otherwise the Kinematic Track: Track Authoring dialog box appears directly. You can click any portion of the mechanism to select it. However, if multiple mechanisms are associated with the part, all the mechanisms are listed in a menu. By default, the first mechanism found is listed, but you can select the others.

In workplan mode, when creating a kinematic track for an operation, the mechanism is automatically clicked. It is clicked from the implement link of the operation to the function of the product containing the mechanism. If the product does not contain a mechanism, the selection fails and a message is displayed. Kinematic tracks work on general, loading, and unloading operations.

During the authoring of kinematic tracks, there is a check in place that verifies the integrity of the moving parts of the kinematic mechanism.

If some product positions have been modified such that the mechanism is no longer valid, the integrity of the mechanism is considered broken.

In this case, a warning message is displayed which prompts you to exit the current command and update the mechanism's connections.

When you move the mouse on the mechanism representation, angle and length editors are displayed.

The editors can be used to specify the position of the mechanism either by dragging the handle or entering values in the dialog box. You can also hold the moving object and manipulate the DOF values.

When you move the mouse over the moving part of the mechanism, the length or angle editor appears which allows moving that mechanism. Clicking this moving part activates the length or angle editor.

Then you can modify the DOF values of the mechanism. The editors remain visible until you click in empty space.

You can manipulate the DOF values as follows:

• Angle and Length editors (by moving the triangular handle and entering values in the editors)
• Handles on the object (by holding the moving object and changing DOF values)
• Spinners and slider in the dialog box.