Spring Joints and Limit Joints

Mechatronics Concept Designer provides angular and linear variants of spring joints (which apply a restoring torque/force) and limit joints (which cap motion at a boundary). Both families use the same "Attachment Object / Attachment Direction / Base Object / Base Direction" parameter pattern. This file documents the two variants that were directly retrieved from the documentation (Angular Spring Joint, Angular Limit Joint); the corresponding Linear Spring Joint and Linear Limit Joint commands follow the same pattern but measure a linear distance/force instead of an angle/torque.

Angular Spring Joint

Use the Angular Spring Joint command to create a joint that generates a torque when angles between bodies change. The angle is determined by two vectors that are relative to each of the attached objects.

The vector direction is in the global coordinate system. When the constrained objects move, the assigned vector maintains its relative position to the object. The angle between the vectors determines the value for restricting the joint.

Springs include both a spring force and a damping parameter. The angle is unsigned; that is, the objects can move in either direction to achieve the maximum torque in the spring.

Parameter	Description
Attachment Object	First rigid body
Attachment Direction	Vector for the attachment used to measure the angle between the attachment and the base body
Base Object	Second rigid body
Base Direction	Vector for the base used to measure the angle between the attachment and the base body

Where do I find it

• Application: Mechatronics Concept Designer
• Command: Angular Spring Joint

Angular Limit Joint

Use the Angular Limit Joint command to prevent bodies from rotating past a given angle. The angle is determined by two vectors that are relative to each of the objects being attached. The vector direction is in the global CSYS. When the constrained objects move, the assigned vector maintains its relative position to the object.

The angle is unsigned; that is, the objects can rotate in either direction to achieve the maximum or minimum value.

Parameter	Description
Attachment Object	First rigid body
Attachment Direction	Vector for the attachment used to measure the angle between the attachment and the base body
Base Object	Second rigid body
Base Direction	Vector for the base used to measure the angle between the attachment and the base body

Where do I find it

• Application: Mechatronics Concept Designer
• Command: Angular Limit Joint

Related topics

• Adopt Assembly Constraints or Joints and Couplers
• Linear Spring Joint
• Linear Limit Joint
• Breaking Constraint
• Virtual Axis
• Basic Joint