*ParallelAxesJoint() - parallel axes joint (normal)

Creates a parallel axes joint with its axes specified.

Syntax

*ParallelAxesJoint(joint_name,"joint_label",body_1 body_2, origin, NORMAL, POINT|VECTOR, point|vector)

Arguments

joint_name
The variable name of the parallel axes joint.
Data type: varname
joint_label
The descriptive label of the parallel axes joint.
Data type: label
body_1
The first body constrained by the parallel axes joint.
Data type: Body
body_2
The second body constrained by the parallel axes joint.
Data type: Body
origin
The location of the parallel axes joint for body_1.
Data type: Point
NORMAL
A required argument when a single point or vector is used to define the axes of the joint.
POINT|VECTOR
A keyword that indicates the alignment method.
point|vector
An entity variable referring to a Point or Vector which is based on the above keyword.
Data type: Point or Vector

Example

*Body       "First body",    p_1)
(body_1,
*Body       "Second body",   p_2)
(body_2,
*Point      "First point")
(point_1, 
*Vector     "Global Z")
(v_Z,
*ParallelAxesJoint(j_paraxes, "Parallel axes joint", body_1, 
                                                     body_2, 
                                                     point_1, 
                                                     NORMAL, 
                                                     VECTOR, 
                                                     v_Z)

Context

*BeginMdl()

*DefineAnalysis()

*DefineSystem()

Properties

Table 1.
Property Returns Data Type Description
b1 Body The first body constrained by the parallel axes joint.
b2 Body The second body constrained by the parallel axes joint.
i Marker The marker on b1.
id long integer Solver identification number.
j Marker The marker on b2.
label string The descriptive label of the parallel axes joint.
state boolean Control state (TRUE or FALSE).
type string Unique joint type.
varname string The variable name of the parallel axes joint.

Comments

A parallel axes joint constrains the relative rotation between two bodies such that the two axes always stay parallel. The axes may be defined by either specifying a point or vector (using the NORMAL flag for the sixth argument) or specifying two points or vectors that lie in the plane normal to the axes (using the INPLANE flag for the sixth argument).

When a point is used (instead of a vector) to define an axis, it is obtained as the direction from the origin of the joint to the specified point.