Controlling a 3d path of a rigid body?

[an318is]

Hi all,

I am looking at simulating a process and require to control the path of a rigid body. Only translational movement is required. It will be along a path defined by unevenly spaced points, at a constant velocity.

Does anyone know how this can be achieved?

Thanks

 

[rstupplebeen]

Translate the RB's reference point through the desired positions either throughout a step or a different step for each part of the motion. I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

 

[an318is]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply Rob. The issue is the path is quite complex. I was hoping that there was perhaps a function available to perform a complex displacement in a single step. The closest I have seen is the user function vdisp. Where I could write a function to input text files of the displacements and generate the displacement output for the RB reference point.

Although I havnt used user defined functions in abaqus before and I'm not really sure what is required.

Does anyone have any tips or possibly info on how to set up such a user function to read in points from a file and set positions. Along with utalising the vdisp in the inp file.

Thanks again

 

[rstupplebeen]

Create 3 amplitudes corresponding to XY&Z's displacements by copying and pasting from your table. Create 3 unit displacements use the previously created amplitudes. I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen