9

Spring Dynamics Object 403
• Fillet S egs—Specifies the number of segments
in the fillet.
•
Rotation—Rotates the angle of the cross sect ion
along the entire length of the spring.
D-Section Wire—Specifies a D-shaped wire.
•
Width—Determines the width of the cross
section.
•
Depth—Determines the depth of the cross
section.
•
Round Sides—Specifies the number of segments
that make up the rounded side of the D-shape.
•
Fillet—When combined with Fillet S egs
(below), this lets you fillet ( round) the corners
of the cross section.
•
Fillet S egs—Specifies the number of segments
in the fillet.
•
Rotation—Rotates the angle of the cross sect ion
along the entire length of the spring.
Dynamics Parameters group
These par ameters specify the forces that the spring
contributes to a dynamic simulation.
Relaxed Hgt—Specifies the height (or length)
at which the spring is "relaxed" and therefore
contributes no force--either compression or
extension. Forexample,iftheplacementofthe
binding objects stretches the spring to a leng th of
50 units but the Relaxed Len is set to 30, then an
extension force is in effect because the spring is
stretched f urther than its relaxed length.
Co nstant k—The amount of force exerted per unit
change in length with respec t to the Relaxe d Hgt
value. This could also be described as the measure
of force-per-units-change in length as compared
to the Relaxed Length. For example, if your spring
is set to a Spring Constant of k=10 lb per in, and
you stretch it to be ten inches longer than the
Relaxed Hgt va lue, it will t ry to close with a force
of 100 pounds. If y ou compress it two inches
shorter than the Relaxed Hgt value, it will push
back with 20 pounds of force.
Spr ing constant i s in—Lets you sp ecify the
measurement of force to use: Pounds per inch or
Newtons per meter .
Spring works in—Letsyouspecifythetypeofforce
you want the spring to exert. While most springs
actually provide both compression and extension
force, if your simulation requires only one, you can
save calculation time by using one instead of both.
•
Co mpression Only—This type of spring provides
only expansive force when its length is shorter
than the specified Free Leng th.
•
Ex tension Only—Provides contractive force
when its length is greater than the specified
Free Length.
•
Both—Provides both expansive and contractive
force,dependingonthevariationfromRelaxed
Hgt.
Enable Nonlinearity —When on, the compression
and extension of the spring are non-linear, based
on the assumption that a spring has physical
limits to the amount it can stretch or contract.
Thus, the further the spring gets f rom the Relaxed
Hgt setting, the less linear the feedback. The