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Workshop 06.2: Joints

Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

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 Goals
The goal of this workshop is to use joints to connect parts
in an assembly. Joints can provide a convenient and
sometimes more appropriate alternative to contact.

The four-part assembly shown here would be connected

using contact definitions by default. In this workshop, the
model contains a single predefined contact region. Well
use the automatic joint feature to setup the remainder of
the connections and make several other modifications
before solving.

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 Project Schematic
Begin a new Workbench session and, from the Workbench
window, choose Restore Archive, browse to file
Joint_Connection.wbpz, and Open.
When prompted, save the project using the default name
and the same location as the archive file.

From the Units menu, verify that:

Project units are set to Metric (kg, mm, s, C, mA, N, mV).
Display Values in Project Units is checked.

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 Project Schematic
1. The ! status icon in the Geometry cell means
that the geometry file is not available, so we 1.
dont have the option to edit it in
DesignModeler or SpaceClaim.
2.
2. From the Static Structural system, double-click
(or RMB > Edit) the Model cell.

3.
3. When Mechanical opens, verify the units are set
to Metric (mm, kg, N, s, mV, mA)

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 Preprocessing
4. Expand the Connections and Contacts branches. 4.
Notice that there is a predefined bonded contact
region between the Piston and Pin parts.

5. From the Connections branch, RMB > Insert >

Connection Group.
5.

6. In the Connection Group Details view, change the

Connection Type to Joint.

6.

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 Preprocessing
7. Select the Connection Group branch,
then RMB > Create Automatic
Connections. 7.

You should see that four new joints have

been created and that the folder name
8.
has been changed to "Joints. Before
inspecting the joints, well rename them
to make the process easier.
8. Select the Joints branch, then RMB >
Rename Based on Definition. 9.
9. Confirm that the Crank To Con_Rod,
Con_Rod To Pin, and Pin To Piston joints
are of Type = Revolute.
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 Preprocessing
Remove the Pin To Piston joint. 10.
Notice in the Contacts branch that there is a
contact region (Bonded - Pin To Piston)
already defined between these parts. The joint
between these same parts is redundant and can
be removed.
10. Select the Revolute Pin To Piston joint,
then RMB > Delete.
11. Select the Fixed - Con_Rod To Piston joint, 11.
then RMB > Delete.
Note that this joint is not only unnecessary, it
will prevent proper relative motion in the
assembly.

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 Environment
12.
12. Select the Static Structural branch.

13. Select the tapered cylindrical face on the crank

shown here.

13.
14. RMB > Insert > Fixed Support.

14.

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 Environment
15. Select the cylindrical face on the crank shown here.

15.
16. RMB > Insert > Cylindrical Support.

17. In the details configure:

Radial = Fixed
16.
Axial = Free
Tangential = Free

17.

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 Environment
18. Select the cylindrical face on the piston as shown here.
19. RMB > Insert > Frictionless Support.
18.

20. Select the circular top face on the piston as shown here. 19.
21. RMB > Insert > Pressure.
22. In the Details view, enter
Magnitude = 0.5 MPa.
20.
23. Solve.

22. 21.
23.

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 Postprocessing
24. When the solution completes, review contours of deformation and stress.
25. Drag and drop the Cylindrical Support and Fixed Support objects onto the
Solution branch and evaluate to obtain the reaction forces.

24.
25.

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 Postprocessing
Lets review the loading to determine if the forces balance:
Selecting the top face of the piston shows (in the status
bar) that the surface area is 9740 mm.
Applying a 0.5 MPa pressure should result
in an applied force of 4870 N in the -Y direction.
Reviewing the details for the reactions, we see:
Y reaction at the fixed support = 3958 N
Y reaction at the cylindrical support = 967 N
Total Y reaction 3958 N + 967 N = 4925 N
In a static problem, applied forces should balance computed reactions. In this case,
the apparent imbalance of 55 N is caused by inaccuracies in the approximation of the
area of the piston face. (You can test this by replacing the Pressure load with a Force
load of 4870 N in the -Y direction.)
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 Go Further!
If you find yourself with extra time, try the following:
1. Replace the cylindrical support and the fixed support by a fixed joint.
2. Reaction Force and Reaction Moment of the fixed joint can be postprocessed
directly. Drag and Drop the fixed joint onto the Solution branch.

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 Go Further!
3. Replace the fixed joint previously created by a Revolute joint. Drag and Drop the
revolute joint to the Static Structural, and define a Moment of 4e5 N-mm.
4. Suppress the pressure and add a fixed support on the top face of the piston.

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 END
Workshop 06.2: Joints

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