Creating Universal Joints

This task shows how to create Universal joints in a V5 mechanism.
aprereq.gif (1223 bytes) Open the UJoint_without_joint.CATProduct document.
ainfo.gif (980 bytes) When you create joints, you can define the mechanism within the same dialog box. Remember though, that you can create a mechanism independently from the joints by selecting Insert > New Mechanism... from the menu bar.
You can use axis system to create universal joints. Select the Axis-based Joint icon in the Kinematics joints toolbar. Refer to Creating Axis-based Joints.

  1. Click the arrow within the Revolute Joint icon from the DMU Kinematics toolbar (Revolute joint is the default joint type)

  2. Undock the Kinematics Joints toolbar:

  3. Select Universal Joint . The Joint Creation: U Joint dialog box is displayed.

    The cross-pin axis selection has been simplified:

    • The default direction is Normal to Spin 2 

    • You can select any direction checking the Any option (step 7) or 

    • Select Normal to Spin 1

  4. Click New Mechanism. The Mechanism Creation dialog box is displayed:

    In our example, keep the default name Mechanism.1.

  5. Select Spin 1 either in the geometry area or in the specification tree. In our example, select the green cylinder axis as shown below:

    The current selection field is automatically updated.

  6. Select Spin 2, for example the blue cylinder axis:

  7. Select the cross-pin axis direction. Select the Any option. In this case, you need to select the direction of the cross-pin axis (which has to be perpendicular with one of the two axis previously selected). In our example, select an edge of the green cylinder.

  8. Click Ok to end the Universal joint creation.

    The specification tree is updated

  9. Open the Ujoint_with_joint.CATProduct to check your result.

 

ainfo.gif (980 bytes)

For more information, refer to About Joints and Creating Mechanisms and Joints.