1

Getting Started Using Adams/View

• About Adams/View
• Introducing the Latch Design Problem
• Building Your Model
• Testing Your First Prototype
• Reviewing Results Against Physical Test Data
• Improving Your Design
• Iterating Your Design
• Optimizing Your Design
• Automating the Design Process
2 Getting Started Using Adams/View

About Adams/View
 About Adams/View 3
Welcome to Adams/View

Welcome to Adams/View
Adams/View is a powerful modeling and simulating environment. User can use Adams/View to build and
simulate a model of any mechanical system that has moving parts. User can test your model in the same
environments your actual product will experience. User can also validate your model against test data,
and refine your model with flexible parts, realistic geometry, and controls. Finally, user can find the
important parameters that affect your product design and find the right combination of design values to
arrive at the best product design. Best of all, user can do all this over and over again, saving time and
money.
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Contents of This Guide

Contents of This Guide

This guide provides overview information and step-by-step procedures for building, simulating, and
refining a model using Adams/View. User will solve an actual design problem, as user construct a hand
latch for closing large containers. In the process, user will learn how to use the features of Adams/View
to solve your own design problems, from concept to finished product.
Additional tutorials are available online for additional modules, such as Adams/Flex, and
Adams/Controls.
 Introducing the Latch Design Problem 1

Introducing the Latch Design Problem

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
This tutorial introduces user to the process of solving an engineering design problem using Adams/View.
We assume that user will work through this tutorial in sequential order. Therefore, we give user more
guidance in the beginning and less as user proceed through the tutorial. If user choose not to work through
the tutorial in sequential order, user can import command files into Adams/View at different points in the
tutorial and start working from there. User may, however, have to reference the beginning chapters for
some of the basic concepts.

Note: By default on Windows, files in the installation directory are read-only. During installation,
your system adminstration can choose to change the permissions so user can write to the
installation directory. If this has not been done, user will need to change the permissions of
the files when user copy them to your working directory.

Look for the merge symbol at the beginning of each chapter to find out which file to import.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• What User Will Learn
• What User Will Create
 Introducing the Latch Design Problem 3
What User Will Learn

What User Will Learn

The tutorial leads user through the design process steps outlined in Figure 1. These are the four basic steps
user should follow whenever user use Adams/View to create and test models:

Build a model by:

• Including moving parts, joints, flexible connections, and applied forces.

Test your design by:

• Performing simulations as user build up your model.
• Simulating the motion of the model as it would perform in actual operation.

Review your test by:

• Viewing the results of the simulations.
• Comparing physical test data with the results of the virtual simulation.

Improve your model by:

• Refining your model so your virtual test data matches your physical test data.
• Iterating your design to assess the sensitivity of its performance to various design changes.
• Optimizing your design to find the best combination of design parameters to achieve maximum
performance.
Finally, user can automate the design process steps so user can quickly evalutate various design options.
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
What User Will Learn

Construct and connect four latch parts

Build Verify that parts and connections have been created properly

Construct test environment

Test Instrument the model with measures of clamping force and tog-
gle angle

Plot clamping force versus angle of handle

Review Import test data to compare with simulation data

Refine

Parameterize the critical point locations

Iterate:
Study the effect of moving the pivot base on the clamping force
Find sensitivity of clamping force to movements in any critical
Improve point
Optimize
Maximize clamping force by moving critical point locations
Ensure the latch toggles properly
Ensure mechanism stays within envelope

Create various handle force magnitudes

Automate

Figure 1 Design Process Steps for the Latch Model

 Introducing the Latch Design Problem 5
What User Will Create

What User Will Create

In this tutorial, user will build a latch model that is required to securely clamp two halves of large
shipping containers together. The latch design problem is based on a latch developed by Earl V. Holman
of North American Aviation, Inc., Downey, CA, under contract to the Manned Spacecraft Center in
Houston. This latch is one of twelve used to clamp the Lunar Excursion Module to the Command and
Service Module in the Apollo program.
Figure 2 shows an illustration of the physical model of the latch.

Figure 2 Physical Model of Hand Latch Design

6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
What User Will Create

Design Requirements
The latch model must meet the following design requirements:
• Exerts at least 800 N clamping force.
• Is hand-actuated by less than 80 N force.
• Is hand released with minimal effort.
• Must work within a given envelope.
• Clamping remains secure under vibration.

How the Latch Model Works

shows a virtual model of the latch. The latch is clamped by pushing down on the operating handle at
POINT_4. This causes the pivot to rotate around POINT_1 in a clockwise direction, drawing back
POINT_2 of the hook. As this happens, POINT_8 of the slider is forced downward. Finally, as
POINT_8 passes through the line between POINT_8_2 and POINT_3, the clamping force reaches its
maximum. POINT_8 should move below the line created by POINT_3 and POINT_8_2, followed by
 Introducing the Latch Design Problem 7
What User Will Create

the operating handle coming to rest on the top of the hook. This sets the latch near the maximum force
point, but allows a reasonable release force to open the latch.

Figure 3 Adams/View Latch Model

Based on the description of the latch operation, the relative layout of POINT_1 through POINT_8_2 is
important in ensuring that the latch will meet the design requirements. Therefore, when your latch model
is assembled and tested, user will want to change the relative locations of the points to see their effect on
the design requirements.
8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
What User Will Create
 Building Your Model 1

Building Your Model

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
In this chapter user build and connect the parts of the toggle latch. User also verify that user’ve created
the parts and connections properly. Once user have a valid model, user will proceed to test it in a realistic
situation, as explained in Testing Your First Prototype.
Adams/View assigns to the parts user create the material type of steel, with a material density of 7801.0
kg/m3.
User build the latch model in two basic sections:
• Building the Pivot and Handle
• Building the Hook and Slider

Figure 1 shows the latch as it should look when user have finished it.

Figure 1 Latch in Build Phase

 Building Your Model 3
Building the Pivot and Handle

Building the Pivot and Handle

As the initial steps in building the latch model, user perform the following tasks:
• Starting Adams/View and Creating a Database
• Familiarizing Yourself with Adams/View
• Setting Up Your Work Environment
• Creating Design Points
• Creating the Pivot
• Renaming the Pivot
• Creating the Handle
• Connecting the Parts Using Revolute Joints
• Simulating the Motion of Your Model
• Seeing the Effect of Parameterization

Starting Adams/View and Creating a Database

In this section, user start Adams/View and create a modeling database containing a new model named
Latch. A modeling database contains all your work in the current session of Adams/View. It contains any
models user create, their attributes, simulation results, plots, customized menus and dialog boxes, and
any preferences user set.
In the UNIX environment user start Adams/View from the Adams Toolbar. In the Windows environment
user start Adams/View from the Start button.

To start Adams/View in the UNIX environment:

1. At the command prompt, enter the command to start the Adams Toolbar, and then press Enter.
The standard command that MSC.Software provides is mdadamsx, where x is the version
number, for example mdadams2010.
The Adams Toolbar appears.
2. Select the Adams/View tool .
The Welcome dialog box appears on top of the Adams/View main window.

To start Adams/View in the Windows environment:

1. Select Start.
2. Point to Programs, point to MSC.Software, point to MD Adams 2010, point to AView, and
then select Adams - View.
The Welcome dialog box appears.

To create a database from the Welcome dialog box:

1. Select Create a new model.
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Pivot and Handle

2. Replace the contents of the Model name text box with Latch.
3. Select OK.

Familiarizing Yourself with Adams/View

Before continuing with the tutorial, familiarize yourself with the Adams/View interface. In particular,
familiarize yourself with the Main Toolbox, shown at the right.

User use the Main Toolbox to access all geometric construction elements, including joints and forces.
Some of the tools in the Main Toolbox are part of tool stacks. These tools have a small triangle in the
lower right corner. The default tool or the last selected tool appears on top of the tool stack. To see the
tools contained in each tool stack, refer to the figure at the end of this guide.
If Adams/View does not automatically display the Main Toolbox, user can display it as explained next.
 Building Your Model 5
Building the Pivot and Handle

To display the Main Toolbox:

• In the lower right corner of the main Adams/View window, select the Toolbox tool .
• The Main Toolbox appears on the left side of the screen.

To open tool stacks and select a tool:

1. In the Main Toolbox, right-click on one of the tools that has a small triangle in the lower right
corner, as shown in the first illustration in Figure 2.
A tool stack appears.
2. Move the cursor over the tool user want to use, and click.
The bottom half of the Main Toolbox, the container, changes depending on the tool or tool stack
that user select, as shown in the second illustration in Figure 2.
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Pivot and Handle

To return to the default configuration:

• Select the Select tool .

Indicates a stack
of tools

Container for the

Tool stack Link tool

Displays a stack
as a floating palette

Figure 2 Main Toolbox and Associated Elements

The Select tool is also helpful in many other situations. For example, by selecting the Select tool user can
cancel an operation, such as creating an object. User can also clear the selection of any objects.

Learning About Getting Help

When working in Adams/View, user can get help in a number of ways:
• Use the online help to read overviews, procedures, and see many examples. From the Help
menu, select Adams/View Help.
 Building Your Model 7
Building the Pivot and Handle

• Use the dialog box help to learn about entering values in a dialog box or using an Adams/View
tool. While working in a dialog box, press the F1 key.
For more information about getting help in Adams/View, see the printed Release Guide that comes with
your license.

Setting Up Your Work Environment

In this section user set your units, specify the grid size, and display the coordinate window. User can
change the units at any time during the modeling process, even while reading and writing model or results
data files. User can use the Adams/View working grid and the coordinate window to establish map points
and receive feedback on precise locations for the design layout.

To set up your work environment:

1. From the Settings menu, select Units.
The Units Settings dialog box appears.
2. Set the units of length to centimeter.
3. Select OK.
4. From the Settings menu, select Working Grid.
The Working Grid Settings dialog box appears.
5. Set the grid size along X and Y to 25, and the grid spacing for X and Y to 1

Note: User do not need to enter units because Adams/View uses the default units if user do
not specify them. However, because user set the units to centimeters earlier, ensure
that user do not enter mm after the values in the Size and Spacing text boxes.

6. Select OK.
7. From the Settings menu, select Icons.
The Icon Settings dialog box appears.
8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Pivot and Handle

8. In the New Size text box, enter 1.5.

Note: The text box New Size is colored gray. Throughout Adams/View gray text boxes
means that the text box is optional and user do not have to enter a value to execute
the command.

9. Near the bottom of the Icon Settings dialog box set Name Visibility to On.
10. Select OK.

To display the Coordinates window:

1. From the View menu, select Coordinate Window.
The Coordinates window appears.
2. Move your cursor around the screen and notice the coordinate location labels that appear in the
Coordinates window and next to the cursor.
During this tutorial, user will find it very helpful to have the Coordinates window open because user will
place many objects based on their coordinate location.

Creating Design Points

Adams/View enables user to change the layout of your design to quickly find the best mechanism for the
application. User use points to lay out your design so that user can make layout changes by moving the
points. Points are used to define locations in space on which user can position and parameterize other
objects. Points are the easiest way to parameterize the geometry of a model because they let user specify
important locations once and build other modeling objects from them. Parameterization becomes
important later on when user work on refining your latch model.

To create design points:

1. From the Main Toolbox, select the Select tool, and then select the Dynamic Pick tool to
zoom in on your grid. To learn how to use the Main Toolbox, see Familiarizing Yourself with
Adams/View.
2. Drag the cursor across the area of the working grid display.
3. Right-click the Rigid Body tool stack (Link tool is on top by default) to display the tool stack
containing the Point tool.
4. Select the Point tool and click the locations shown in Table 1 to place design points. Use the
default settings for point, which are Add to Ground and Don’t Attach.

Note: To create multiple points without having to select the Point tool again, double-click
the tool. To deselect the Point tool, select the Select tool.
 Building Your Model 9
Building the Pivot and Handle

Table 1 Points Coordinate Locations

X location: Y location: Z location:
POINT_1 0 0 0
POINT_2 3 3 0
POINT_3 2 8 0
POINT_4 -10 22 0

Creating the Pivot

Create the pivot using the Plate tool. The pivot represents the pivot part, as shown in Figure 1.

To create the pivot:

1. Select the Plate tool . Tip: Right-click the Point tool, and then select the Plate tool.
2. In the Main toolbox, in the Thickness text box, enter 1, and then press Enter.

Note: Pressing Enter every time user enter text into a text box ensures that Adams/View
accepts the entered value.

3. In the Radius text box, enter 1, and then press Enter.

4. Click the location of POINT_1, POINT_2, and POINT_3.

Note: The Adams/View status bar provides instructions on how to perform operations.
When user move your cursor on the screen during an operation, the status bar
displays what user should do next. The status bar is located below the Adams/View
main window. For the location of the status bar, see Figure 1.

5. Right-click to stop selecting points and create the pivot geometry.

Renaming the Pivot

As user create objects, Adams/View automatically assigns names to them. Each name consists of a string
containing the object type and a unique integer ID for that type. For example, Adams/View named the
recently created part PART_2.
The full name of an object is comprised of the concatenated names of its parent similar to a directory
structure in a file system. Because PART_2 is located within the model named Latch, its full name is
.Latch.PART_2, while the full name of the marker named cm on PART_2 is .Latch.PART_2.cm.
In this section, user rename PART_2 to pivot. Adams/View understands that user are just renaming the
part, so the model name Latch remains.
10 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Pivot and Handle

To rename the pivot:

1. Right-click the plate part.
A shortcut menu appears.
2. Point to Part: PART_2, and then select Rename.
The Rename Object dialog box appears.
3. Replace PART_2 with pivot, as shown in the following dialog box:

Creating the Handle

User can create the handle using the Link tool.

To create the handle:

1. Select the Link tool .
2. Click POINT_3, then POINT_4 to create a link between the two points.

Note: Only attach the link to a point when that point label is visible.

3. Rename the link part, Part: PART_3, to handle, to represent the handle part as shown in
Figure 1.

Connecting the Parts Using Revolute Joints

A revolute joint is an attachment between two parts that allows one part to move with respect to another
part about a common axis.
In this section, user place a revolute joint between the pivot and ground, which will allow the pivot to
rotate with respect to ground. User also place a second revolute joint between the pivot and handle to
allow the two parts to rotate with respect to each other.
User will use the construction method 2 Bod - 1 Loc, and Normal To Grid to create the revolute joints,
which is the default method. When user use this method for creating revolute joints user select the two
bodies to attach and then select the location.
 Building Your Model 11
Building the Pivot and Handle

To connect the parts using revolute joints:

1. Select the Revolute Joint tool .
2. To select the parts to attach, click the pivot and ground (the background).
3. Click POINT_1 to set the joint’s location.
The revolute joint at POINT_1 should look like this:

Note: If user did not change the icon size as explained in Step 7. in Setting Up Your Work
Environment, user will not see the revolute joint on the screen. Go back and change
the icon size as explained in Step 7. In the Icon Settings dialog box, be careful not to
accidentally turn off the display of icons.

4. Select the Revolute Joint tool again.

5. Select the pivot, the handle, and POINT_3.

Simulating the Motion of Your Model

In this section user set the simulation parameters, and simulate the motion of the model to see if user’ve
assembled the parts and joints properly. User set the simulation end time and the number of output steps
to tell Adams/View how long user want the simulation to run, and the frequency with which user want it
to output the data.
During the simulation, the handle moves in a circular motion with respect to the pivot, as the pivot moves
in a circular motion with respect to ground. Note that gravity is acting on the model.

To simulate the motion of your model:

1. Select the Simulation tool .
2. Set up a simulation with an end time of 1 second and 50 steps.
3. Select the Simulation Start tool .
12 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Pivot and Handle

The model simulates, and then remains in simulate mode.

4. To return to the initial model configuration, select the Reset tool .
At this step in the creation of the latch, the model is effectively a double pendulum falling due to
the influence of gravity. This illustrates one of the advantages of interactive model building.
Namely, that user can interrogate the behavior of the model even though the model is not
complete.

Seeing the Effect of Parameterization

Since user parameterized your latch model using points, user can move a point and the related objects
update automatically. For example, if user move POINT_1, the pivot and the joint move along with it
since they were created on top of that point.

To see the effect of parameterization:

1. Right-click POINT_1.
A shortcut menu appears.
2. Point to Point: POINT_1, and then select Modify.
The Table Editor appears, listing the points in your model and their locations.
3. Set the x location for POINT_1 to -2.
4. Near the top right corner of the Table Editor, select Apply.
POINT_1, along with the joint and the pivot, move to the new location.

Note: User can move the Table Editor out of the way by clicking and dragging its top
window border.

5. Set the x location for POINT_1 back to 0.

6. Select OK.
 Building Your Model 13
Building the Hook and Slider

Building the Hook and Slider

The last steps in building the geometry of the latch model are:
• Creating the Hook and the Slider
• Connecting the Parts Using Revolute Joints
• Simulating Your Model
• Saving Your Database

Creating the Hook and the Slider

User now create the hook using the Extrusion tool. An extrusion is a three-dimensional object defined by
its profile and depth. To create an extrusion, user draw a polyline that defines the extrusion’s profile. By
default, Adams/View extrudes the profile along a line perpendicular to the working grid.

To create the hook:

1. Select the Extrusion tool .
2. Be sure that Create profile by: is set to Points and Closed is selected.
3. Select Path: to About Center.
4. In the Length text box, enter 1, and then press Enter.
5. Click the locations listed in Table 2.
6. To close the extrusion, right-click.
Small boxes, called hot points, appear at the vertices of the extrusion.

Note: Sometimes Adams/View snaps to the nearest object instead of snapping to a

coordinate value. To override this, hold down the Ctrl key and move the cursor until
user select the desired coordinate.

Table 2 Extrusion Coordinate Values

X location: Y location: Z location:
5 3 0
3 5 0
-6 6 0
-14 6 0
-15 5 0
-15 3 0
-14 1 0
-12 1 0
14 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Hook and Slider

Table 2 Extrusion Coordinate Values

X location: Y location: Z location:
-12 3 0
-5 3 0
4 2 0

Note: If user make a mistake while creating the extrusion, continue creating the extrusion,
and then, at the end, use the extrusion hot points to place the points in the correct
locations. User can also use the Undo tool to cancel any of the changes user
made. User can undo up to 10 actions.

7. Right-click to stop selecting locations and create the geometry.

8. Rename the extrusion part to hook.

To create the slider:

1. Create two more design points, POINT_8 and POINT_8_2, at the locations shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Points Coordinate Locations

X location: Y location: Z location:
POINT_8 -1 10 0
POINT_8_2 -6 5 0

2. Create a link connecting these two new design points. Again, before user click, make sure the
point labels are visible.
3. Rename the link part to slider.

Connecting the Parts Using Revolute Joints

User now create three more revolute joints.
• Place revolute joints at the following locations using the construction method 2 Bod - 1 Loc, and
Normal To Grid:
• Between the handle and the slider at POINT_8.
• Between the slider and the hook at POINT_8_2.
 Building Your Model 15
Building the Hook and Slider

• Between the hook and the pivot at POINT_2.

Tip: User can see the names of objects that are in the same location by right-clicking on the
objects. A shortcut menu appears with the names of all the objects at that location. This is
also helpful if user have forgotten the names of objects.

Simulating Your Model

In this section user simulate again to see if user’ve assembled the parts and joints properly. During this
simulation, the handle, the hook, and the slider move in a circular motion with respect to the pivot, as the
pivot moves in a circular motion with respect to ground. The only force acting on this model is gravity,
since user have not assigned any forces to it.

To simulate the motion of your model:

1. Select the Simulation tool.
2. Run a .2 second, 200-step simulation.
3. Select the Reset tool to return to the initial model configuration.

Saving Your Database

Use the Save Database As command to save the current modeling database as an Adams/View binary
file. Saving your modeling database as a binary file saves all modeling information.

To save your database:

• From the File menu, select Save Database As, and then save the file as build.
16 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Building the Hook and Slider
 Testing Your First Prototype 1

Testing Your First Prototype

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
In this chapter, user prepare the latch model for virtual testing, and then proceed to test it. Virtual tests
allow user to quickly set up and tear down tests in the virtual environment.
In the test phase user’ll be doing the following:
• Creating the Ground Block
• Adding a Three-Dimensional Contact
• Adding a Spring
• Creating a Handle Force
• Creating a Measure on the Spring Force
• Creating an Angle Measure
• Creating a Sensor
• Saving Your Model
• Simulating Your Model

If user choose not to work through the tutorial in sequential order and want to start here, import
the file build.cmd from install_dir/aview/examples/Latch/, where install_dir is the
directory where Adams is installed.
 Testing Your First Prototype 3
Overview

Figure 1 shows how your model should look at the end of the test phase.

Figure 1 Latch Model in Test Phase

4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating the Ground Block

Creating the Ground Block

User use the Box tool to create a ground block. The ground block represents the surface on which the
hook slides. By default, Adams/View creates the block with a depth that is twice the length of the shortest
dimension of the block. User can also specify the length, height, and depth of the block before user draw
it.

To create the ground_block:

1. Select the Box tool , and change its construction method from New Part to On Ground.
2. Click at location (-2, 1, 0) and drag to (-18, -1, 0). Alternatively, user can click at the start location
and then click again at the end location.
3. Rename the part ground to ground_block.
 Testing Your First Prototype 5
Adding a Three-Dimensional Contact

Adding a Three-Dimensional Contact

In this section, user add a three-dimensional contact between the hook and ground_block. The
three-dimensional contact models how hook and ground_block interact when the latch closes.

To add a three-dimensional contact:

1. From the Force (Connector) tool stack, select the Contact tool .
The Create Contact dialog box appears.
2. Right-click the I Solid text box, point to Contact_Solid, and then select Pick. Select the hook
(EXTRUSION_7).
3. Now do the same for the J Solid text box, selecting the ground_block (BOX_10).
4. Because user will use the default values for the contact force, select OK.
5. Select the Select tool, and then select the Fit tool .
Adams/View fits your entire model into the current window. It should look similar to the one
shown below:
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Adding a Three-Dimensional Contact
 Testing Your First Prototype 7
Adding a Spring

Adding a Spring
The spring between the hook and ground represents the clamping force when the hook engages the
container. The spring should have a stiffness coefficient of 800 N/cm and a damping coefficient of
Ns
0.5 ----------- , so that a hook movement of 1.0 cm gives a large clamping force.
cm

As user create the spring, Adams/View automatically creates markers to define the location and
orientation of the spring. Because the hook vertex is not in the plane of the model, after user create the
spring, user should modify the marker at the vertex so the spring is in the plane of the model.

To add a spring:
1. Use the Dynamic Translate tool to move your model to the right, to give yourself room to
add the spring.
2. Select the Translational Spring-Damper tool to create a spring between the ground and the

hook.
3. In the Spring container of the Main Toolbox, select the toggle for spring stiffness coefficient, K,
and for damping coefficient, C.
4. Set K to 800 and C to 0.5.
5. To add the spring, click at the following locations:
8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Adding a Spring

• Hook vertex, .HOOK.EXTRUSION_7.V16, near location (-14, 1, 0), making sure to select
the vertex and not a point near it.

Tip: To ensure that user select the hook vertex, right-click with the cursor near the vertex
location (-14,1,0). A select list appears with all the vertices in the area. Select vertex
16.

• (-23, 1, 0)
A red spring appears.

To modify a marker:
1. Right-click the location (-14, 1, 0).
A shortcut menu appears.
2. Point to Marker: MARKER_24, and then select Modify.
The Marker Modify dialog box appears.

Note: The Marker name could be MARKER_26, if user have worked the tutorial from the
beginning rather than starting from a cmd file.

3. In the Location text box, change the location to (-14.0, 1.0, 0.0).
Adams/View puts the spring in the plane of the model.
4. Select OK.
5. Use the View Fit tool to fit your model to the screen.
 Testing Your First Prototype 9
Creating a Handle Force

Creating a Handle Force

In this section user create a handle force with a magnitude of 80N, representing a reasonable force to be
applied by hand.

To create a handle force:

1. Select the Force (Single-Component) tool and do the following in the Force container on the

Main Toolbox:
• Set Run-time Direction to Space Fixed.
• Set the Characteristic to Constant.
• Select Force, and then set it to 80.
2. Select the following in the order listed:
10 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating a Handle Force

• The handle
• A marker near POINT_4, the handle end point
• The location -18, 14, 0
Adams/View creates a handle force.
 Testing Your First Prototype 11
Creating a Measure on the Spring Force

Creating a Measure on the Spring Force

Adams/View uses measures to monitor important model characteristics during simulation. To give user
visual feedback on the progress of the simulation during interactive simulations, Adams/View displays
the measure values.
For the latch model, user need a measurement of the clamping force when the latch is clamped so user
can compare it with the design requirement. The spring force measure represents the clamping force.

To create a measure on the spring force:

1. Right-click the spring, point to Spring: SPRING_1, and then select Measure.
The AssemblyMeasure dialog box appears.
2. Set Characteristic to force.
3. Select OK.
The spring measure strip chart appears.
4. Run a 0.2 second, 50-step simulation.
A graph of the clamping force appears during the simulation, as shown next:

5. Select the Reset tool to return to the initial model configuration.

12 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating an Angle Measure

Creating an Angle Measure

Now user create an angle measure to ensure that the handle pushes down far enough to engage the latch.
When the latch engages, user know that the handle has toggled “overcenter” and is now capable of
holding the latch in a secure position. It’s similar to using vice grips--the point where the vice clamps
down on the material is the toggle point.
Creating the angle measure involves picking markers located at the points defining the angle, in this case
POINT_8, POINT_3, and POINT_8_2. Adams/View automatically defines markers at the center of
mass of all parts and at vertices and endpoints of geometry. Adams/View also creates markers
automatically when user constrain objects, like when user add a joint between parts. Therefore, there can
be several markers at one location. When user create the angle measure user only need to pick one marker
for each location. However, user must make sure that the marker user pick belongs to the appropriate part.

To create an angle measure:

1. From the Build menu, point to Measure, point to Angle, and then select New.
The Angle Measure dialog box appears.
2. In the Measure Name text box, enter the measure name as overcenter_angle.
3. Right-click the First Marker text box, point to Marker, and then select Pick.
4. Pick the markers to enter in your measure as shown in row 1 of Table 1 and illustrated in Figure 2.

Note: Do not pick markers that belong to ground, because markers used in the angle
measure must move with the latch.
 Testing Your First Prototype 13
Creating an Angle Measure

5. Repeat the above two steps for the Middle Marker and Last Marker
.

Table 1 overcenter_angle Measure Markers

Angle points: Marker location: Coordinate values:
First Point Any marker at POINT_8 -1, 10, 0
Middle Point Any marker at POINT_3 2, 8, 0
(angle vertex)
Last Point Any marker at -6, 5, 0
POINT_8_2

POINT_8
(-1, 10, 0)

POINT_3
(2,8,0)

POINT_8_2
(-6,5,0)

Figure 2 Graphical Representation of overcenter_angle

6. Select OK to display your angle measure strip chart as shown next:

14 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating a Sensor

Creating a Sensor
User now create a sensor to detect when overcenter_angle goes below zero, meaning that the latch has
toggled properly. When this condition is met, the sensor automatically stops the simulation.

To create a sensor:
1. From the Simulate menu, point to Sensor, and then select New.
The Create Sensor dialog box appears.
2. Modify the Create Sensor dialog box as shown next, and then select OK:

Note: If user get an error when trying to create the sensor, type in a new name for the sensor, press
Enter, and then continue filling in the dialog box as shown above.
 Testing Your First Prototype 15
Saving Your Model

Saving Your Model

Save your latch model to record your progress.

To save your model:

• From the File menu, select Save Database As, and then save this file as test.
16 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Simulating Your Model

Simulating Your Model

Simulate your model to see if it is assembled properly and that the sensor works to stop the simulation
when the overcenter_angle measure becomes less than or equal to 0, indicating that the latch has reached
its toggle point.

To simulate your model:

1. Select the Simulation tool and run a 0.2-second simulation with 100 steps.
As the simulation proceeds, Adams/View updates the strip charts for the spring force and angle
measures to show that the sensor stopped the simulation.
A message window also appears alerting user that Adams/View stopped the simulation because
of the sensor.
These strip charts show that Adams/View stopped the simulation as the latch reached the toggle
point:

2. Select the Reset tool to return to the initial model configuration.

 Reviewing Results Against Physical Test Data 1

Reviewing Results Against Physical Test

Data
2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
In this chapter, user compare physical test data with virtual test data. By comparing the two sets of data,
user immediately know the limitations of your model compared to the physical prototype, and user will
have all the data in one place to be able to eliminate the differences.
Validating against your physical test data involves:
• Importing Physical Test Data
• Creating a Plot Using Physical Test Data
• Modifying Your Plot Layout
• Creating a Plot Using Virtual Test Data
• Saving Your Model

If user choose not to work through the tutorial in sequential order and want to work through it
starting here, import the file test.cmd from install_dir/aview/examples/Latch/, where
install_dir is the directory where Adams is installed. After importing test.cmd, simulate your
model as shown in Simulating Your Model.
 Reviewing Results Against Physical Test Data 3
Importing Physical Test Data

Importing Physical Test Data

In this section user import physical test data to compare with your virtual test data. We created the
physical test data by setting the overcenter_angle on a physical model and measuring the clamping force.
Adams/View takes the physical test data and creates two measures. One measure, MEA_1, contains the
x data and the other measure, MEA_2, contains the y data for your plot.

To import physical test data:

1. From the File menu, select Import.
The File Import dialog box appears.
2. Set the File Type to Test Data.
3. Make sure that the Create Measures option is selected.
4. Right-click the File to Read text box, point to Search, and then select
$aview_dir/examples/Latch. From the File Selection dialog box, select test_dat.csv.
5. In the text box to the right of the Model Name menu, enter .Latch.
6. Select OK.

Note: Because this is test data, nothing appears on the screen when user import the data.
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating a Plot Using Physical Test Data

Creating a Plot Using Physical Test Data

User can now take the two measures created by your physical data, and use them to create a plot for
comparison.

To create a plot using physical test data:

1. On the Review menu, select Postprocessing or press F8.
Adams/View launches Adams/PostProcessor (see Figure 1), a post-processing tool that lets user
view the results of simulations user performed. Adams/PostProcessor has several modes,
including plotting (default), animation, and report, as shown in the first pull-down menu on the
menu toolbar.
Take a minute to familiarize yourself with Adams/PostProcessor. For more information, see the
Adams/PostProcessor online help.
 Reviewing Results Against Physical Test Data 5
Creating a Plot Using Physical Test Data

Figure 1 Adams/PostProcessor

2. At the bottom left of the dashboard, set Source to Measures.

3. From the Simulation list, select test_dat.
4. At the bottom right of the dashboard, set Independent Axis to Data.
A browser, named Independent Axis Browser, appears. It lets user select data for the horizontal
axis.
5. Select MEA_1.
6. Select OK.
7. From the dashboard, from the Measure list, select MEA_2, for the vertical axis data.
8. Select Add Curves to add the new data to the plot.
Adams/PostProcessor displays the plot of x against y as shown next:
.
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Modifying Your Plot Layout

Modifying Your Plot Layout

To make your plot ready for a report, user assign a title to the plot, assign units to the x- and y-axis, and
modify the plot legend.

To assign units:
1. From the treeview, double-click page_1.
2. Select plot_1.
3. In the property editor, under the tab General, clear the selection of Auto Title.
4. In the Title text box, enter Latch Force vs. Handle Angle.
5. Press Enter.
6. From the treeview, double-click plot_1.
7. From the treeview, select haxis.
8. In the property editor, select the tab Labels.
9. In the Label text box, enter Degrees, and then press Enter.
10. Repeat the procedure for vaxis, labeling it Newtons.

To modify the plot legend:

1. From the treeview, select curve_1.
2. In the Legend text box, enter Physical Test Data, and then press Enter.
Your plot should look similar to the one shown next:
 Reviewing Results Against Physical Test Data 7
Creating a Plot Using Virtual Test Data

Creating a Plot Using Virtual Test Data

Use the overcenter_angle and the SPRING_1_MEA_1 measures to create a plot of your virtual test data,
to use in your comparison. After user examine your plots, user will see that the physical test data is not
exactly the same as the virtual test data. The data is in close agreement, however.

To create a plot using virtual test data:

1. In the dashboard, from the Simulation list, select Last_Run (...).
2. Set Independent Axis to Data.
The Independent Axis Browser appears.

Note: In case the Independent Axis browser does not appear, set the Independent Data to
"Time" and then back to "Data".

3. Select overcenter_angle, for the horizontal axis data.

4. Select OK.
5. From the Measure list, select SPRING_1_MEA_1, for the vertical axis data.
6. Select Add Curves.
7. Change the legend text for this curve (curve_2) to Virtual Test Data.

8. From the File menu, select Close Plot Window.

8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Saving Your Model

Saving Your Model

To save your model:
• From the File menu, select Save Database As, and then save the file as validate.
 Improving Your Design 1

Improving Your Design

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
In this chapter user refine your model to add more parametrics to the critical point locations. This allows
user to compare different layouts of the model to the clamping force.
To add more parametrics user will perform two tasks:
• Creating Design Variables
• Reviewing Design Variable Values

If user choose not to work through the tutorial in sequential order and want to work through it
starting here, import the file test.cmd from install_dir/aview/examples/Latch/,
where install_dir is the directory where Adams is installed.
 Improving Your Design 3
Creating Design Variables

Creating Design Variables

User now create design variables to represent the design points in your model, except for POINT_4, the
handle end point. User do not modify POINT_4, because doing so would not meet envelope
requirements for the mechanism. In subsequent chapters user will use design variables to run design
studies and optimization.

To create design variables:

1. Right-click the design point POINT_1 (0, 0, 0), point to Point: POINT_1, and then select
Modify.
The Table Editor appears.
2. To set the display of the Table Editor, click any cell other than the top left cell.
3. Now, double-click the Loc_X cell for POINT_1.
4. Right-click the input box at the top of the Table Editor, point to Parameterize, point to Create
Design Variable, and then select Real.
This creates a design variable named .Latch.DV_1 with the value of 0.
5. Select the Loc_Y cell for POINT_1.
6. Repeat Step 4.
7. Repeat the above procedure for the x and y locations of POINT_2, POINT_3, POINT_8, and
POINT_8_2. Your Table Editor dialog box should look like the one shown here:
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating Design Variables

Note: Make sure your design variable names map to the design point locations, as shown
above. This becomes important later on as user perform your design study and
optimization.

8. Select Apply.
Design variables now control the locations of your design points, with the exception of the
POINT_4 location.
 Improving Your Design 5
Reviewing Design Variable Values

Reviewing Design Variable Values

After user’ve created all the design variables, user can display their range and allowed values.
Adams/View sets the design variable range based on the envelope requirements for the latch. It
automatically assigns a +/- 10% relative range to the design variables, except when the design variable
real value is 0. When the design variable value is 0, the range is set as +/- 1 absolute.
If user want to open up the range to different values, user must modify the range values and possibly the
delta type (which user will do in Iterating Your Design). This restricts the layout changes to your model,
to keep it within a specified envelope.

To review design variable values:

1. At the bottom of the Table Editor, select the Variables option.
2. Select Filters.
The Variables Table Editor Filters dialog box appears.
3. Select Delta Type.
The delta type lets user know if the range value is absolute or percent relative.
4. Be sure that Range is selected.
5. Select OK.
The Table Editor changes to show user the range of the design variables.
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Reviewing Design Variable Values

6. Select OK.
7. Save your the modeling database as refine.
 Iterating Your Design 1

Iterating Your Design

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
In this chapter, user work on arriving at an improved design that meets the specifications and includes all
necessary behavior of the physical latch. User set up some design studies for a few points to find a case
that maximizes peak clamping force, while making sure the handle toggles overcenter.
In the process of iterating your design user will be:
• Performing a Manual Study
• Running a Design Study
• Examining the Results of Design Studies

If user choose not to work through the tutorial in sequential order and want to work through it
starting here, import the file refine.cmd from install_dir/aview/examples/Latch/,
where install_dir is the directory where Adams is installed.
 Iterating Your Design 3
Performing a Manual Study

Performing a Manual Study

As user perform this manual study, user will see how your spring force increases as user manually modify
the design variable DV_1. If the spring force strip chart is not displayed, user should display it before
modifying your design variable.

To update your spring force strip chart:

1. From the Build menu, point to Measure, and then select Display.
The Database Navigator appears.
2. Select SPRING_1_MEA_1.
3. Select OK.
4. Run a .2 second, 100-step simulation and then return to the initial model configuration.
Adams/View updates the spring measure strip chart.
5. Right-click the spring force curve in the strip chart. Point to Curve: Current, and then select
Save Curve.

To modify a design variable:

1. From the Build menu, point to Design Variable, and select Modify.
The Database Navigator appears.
2. Double-click on DV_1.
The Modify Design Variable dialog box appears.
3. Change the standard value of DV_1 to 1.0.
4. Select OK.
5. Run a .2 second, 100-step simulation.
This new plot shows a comparison of the spring force measure for the two cases. The new curve
shows better draw on the spring.

6. Change DV_1 back to 0.0, its original value.

4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Running a Design Study

Running a Design Study

Run a design study to quickly look at a range of design variable values, and see how they affect the
design. Adams/View gives user the option of displaying various plots, as well as a design study report.
The design study report includes the design sensitivity of the pivot location, which is the rate of change
of the spring force with respect to a change in the pivot location.

To run a design study:

1. From the Simulate menu, select Design Evaluation.
The Design Evaluation Tools dialog box appears.
2. Fill out the dialog box that appears so it matches the one shown here. Leave the dialog box open.

Name of current model

Script of your last simulation

Study a measure that user already

Name of measure

Type of study to run

Number of cases to review

 Iterating Your Design 5
Running a Design Study

3. In the Design Evaluation Tools dialog box, select Display.

The Solver Settings dialog box appears.
4. To see all the options, select More.
5. Set Time Delay to 0.0.
6. Set Chart Variables and Show Report to Yes.
7. In the Solver Settings dialog box, select Close.
8. In the Design Evaluation Tools dialog box, select Start.
Adams displays the following plots and a design study report:
• Spring force plot, with five curves for the five different cases:
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Running a Design Study

• SPRING_1_force versus DV_1 plot:

 Iterating Your Design 7
Running a Design Study

• DV_1 versus Trial plot:

8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Running a Design Study

• overcenter_angle plot, with five curves for the five different cases:

• Design study report:

 Iterating Your Design 9
Running a Design Study

Note: Your results might vary slightly (about 1%) from those shown here due to
computational differences.

9. Close the Information window, the Message window, and the Design Evaluation Tools dialog
box.
10 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Examining the Results of Design Studies

Examining the Results of Design Studies

To save user time, we ran some design studies for all the design variables and provided the results in
Table 1. These results are from individual design studies of each design variable, keeping the rest of the
variables fixed at their nominal value.
The results help user determine which design variables user should use for your optimization study,
because they represent a summary of the sensitivity of the clamping force magnitude to a given change
in the geometric location, keeping all other locations fixed.
We found sensitivities by using the plot statistics function and finding the slope of the design study curve
for spring force plotted against design variable value.

Table 1 Design Studies Results

Design variable Design point Initial Sensitivity at initial Apparent
names: locations: value: value (N/cm): optimal value:
DV_1 (POINT x) 0 -82 1
DV_2 (POINT y) 0 56 0
DV_3 (POINT_2 x) 3 142 2.7
DV_4 (POINT_2 y) 3 -440 3.3
DV_5 (POINT_3 x) 2 -23 2.2
DV_6 (POINT_3 y) 8 281 7.6
DV_7 (POINT_8 x) -1 36 -1.1
DV_8 (POINT_8 y) 10 -287 10.5
DV_9 (POINT_8_2 x) -6 -61 -5.4
DV_10 (POINT_8_2 y) 5 104 4.5

Parameterization lets user see which design variables have the greatest effect on the clamping force. In
this case, design variables DV_4, DV_6, and DV_8 have the greatest sensitivity.
 Optimizing Your Design 1

Optimizing Your Design

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
User will now work on finding an optimal design that best meets the performance parameters, while
satisfying the design constraints. Optimization involves determining which objective function user want
to minimize or maximize, selecting the design variables user want to change, and specifying constraint
functions that must be satisfied.
Optimizing your design involves:
• Modifying Design Variables
• Running an Optimization

If user choose not to work through the tutorial in sequential order and want to work through it
starting here, import the file refine.cmd from install_dir/aview/examples/Latch/,
where install_dir is the directory where Adams is installed.
 Optimizing Your Design 3
Modifying Design Variables

Modifying Design Variables

Use the design of experiments results shown in Table 1 of Iterating Your Design(those with the largest
variable sensitivities) to determine which variables to use in optimization. Set up the optimization on
design variables DV_4, DV_6, and DV_8, since they seem to have the most effect on the clamping force.
Run the optimization with the set of parameters that would maximize spring force.
To make sure that the model stays within a given work envelope, set the following limits on the design
variables:

Table 1 Design variable Limits

Design Design point Minimum Maximum
variable name: location: value: value:
DV_4 POINT_2 y 1 6
DV_6 POINT_3 y 6.5 10
DV_8 POINT_8 y 9 11

To modify design variables:

1. On the Build menu, point to Design Variable, and then select Modify.
The Database Navigator appears.
2. Double-click the first design variable user need to modify, in this case, DV_4.
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Modifying Design Variables

The Modify Design Variable dialog box appears:

3. Set the Min. Value and Max. Value, which are the minimum and maximum values for your first
design variable, DV_4, as shown in Table 1.
4. Select Apply.
5. Right-click the Name text box, point to Variable, and Browse for DV_6.
6. Double-click on DV_6.
7. Type in the minimum and maximum values for DV_6. Make sure the Absolute Min and Max
Values option is selected.
8. Select Apply.
9. Repeat the above three steps for DV_8.
10. After user’ve modified the last design variable, DV_8, select OK.
 Optimizing Your Design 5
Running an Optimization

Running an Optimization
At this point user’ll run an optimization to find the best design configuration. Before user run an
optimization, display the spring force measure. If user imported refine.cmd, the spring force measure
will already be displayed.

To display the spring force measure:

1. On the Build menu, point to Measure, and then select Display.
The Database Navigator appears.
2. Select SPRING_1_MEA_1.
3. Select OK.
The SPRING_1_MEA_1 plot appears.

To display the overcenter_angle:

1. On the Build menu, point to Measure, and then select Display.
The Database Navigator appears.
2. Select overcenter_angle.
3. Select OK.
4. The overcenter_angle plot appears.

To run an optimization:
1. On the Simulate menu, select Design Evaluation.
The Design Evaluation Tools dialog box appears.
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Running an Optimization

2. Fill in the dialog boxes as shown below and select Start after selecting Close from the two Solver
Settings dialog boxes.
Name of current model
Script of your last simulation

Use Measure, since user already have one

Measure name

Select Minimum of, because user need to

look at the maximum tension force on the
spring, which is negative

Type of study to run

List of variables to be changed in

optimization (DV_4, DV_6, and DV_8)

Find optimal clamping force by

minimizing the spring force
(largest negative value)

Be sure to
set this to
Database
Storage

Select More
to see all
options

Note: The optimization may take several minutes to complete, and will take several iterations.
Look in the status bar for status information.
 Optimizing Your Design 7
Running an Optimization

The spring force measure plot shows the optimal clamping force as a function of time. Note that
the limits on the strip chart may be different if user worked through the entire tutorial or user
loaded a command file and started from a particular chapter.
8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Running an Optimization

The SPRING_1_force versus iteration plot shows how the spring force changed with each
iteration.

The overcenter_angle plot shows the cases in which the angle reached the toggle point.
 Optimizing Your Design 9
Running an Optimization

To see the final variable values and the optimized clamping force value:
1. At the bottom of the Design Evaluation Tools dialog box, select the Tabular Report tool .
The Design Evaluation Results Table dialog box appears.
2. In the Result Set text box, enter .Latch.Multi_Run_001.Optimization_Results.
3. Select OK.
In the Information window that appears, user see all the data obtained from the optimization,
including the initial and final values of the spring force and DV_4, DV_6, and DV_8.
10 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Running an Optimization
 Automating the Design Process 1

Automating the Design Process

2 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Overview

Overview
In this chapter user work on meeting the last two design requirements for the latch: hand-actuated by less
than 80.0 N force and hand released by less than 5.0 N of force. To do so, user quickly and interactively
try out various handle force magnitudes by:
• Creating Design Variables
• Creating a Custom Dialog Box
• Modifying Force Values
• The Next Step

If user choose not to work through the tutorial in sequential order and would like to work
through it starting here, import the file optimize.cmd from
install_dir/aview/examples/Latch/, where install_dir is the directory where Adams is
installed.
 Automating the Design Process 3
Creating Design Variables

Creating Design Variables

To find the handle force values, user need to create two new design variables, DV_11 and DV_12. Use
DV_11 to set the clamping force, and DV_12 to set the release force.

To create design variables:

1. From the Build menu, point to Design Variable, and then select New.
The Create Design Variable dialog box appears.
2. Set Standard Value at 80.
3. Set Value Range by to Absolute Min and Max Values.
4. Set the minimum value at 60, and the maximum at 90.
5. Select Apply.
6. Repeat for DV_12 setting the standard value to 10, the minimum value to 0, and the maximum to
20.
7. Select OK.
4 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating a Custom Dialog Box

Creating a Custom Dialog Box

User now create a custom dialog box to use in adjusting the downward force and the release force. User
do this by:
• Adding Objects to Your Dialog Box
• Assigning Commands to the Sliders
• Testing the Dialog Box
• SavingSaving Your Dialog Box

To create a custom dialog box:

1. From the Tools menu, point to Dialog Box, and then select Create.
The Dialog-Box Builder appears.
2. From the Dialog Box menu, select New.
The New Dialog Box appears.
3. In the Name text box, enter Force_Control.
4. From the Create Buttons option, select OK and Close.
5. Select OK.
Adams/View displays your custom dialog box:

Adding Objects to Your Dialog Box

In this section user add two sliders to your dialog box and user label the sliders. The sliders let user set a
value from a continuous range of possible values, as detailed in the next section.

To add sliders to your dialog box:

1. Activate the Dialog-Box Builder.
 Automating the Design Process 5
Creating a Custom Dialog Box

2. From the Dialog-Box Builder Create menu, select Slider.

3. Inside your dialog box, click near the top center area of your dialog box, which is where the slider
should appear, as shown in .
4. Double-click on the slider to select it.
5. Drag the reshape handles to resize the slider.

Reshape handles

6. Create another slider underneath the first one.

7. Resize this slider to match the size of the first slider.

To label the sliders:

1. From the Dialog-Box Builder Create menu, select Label.
2. Inside your dialog box, click to the left of the first slider, which is where the label should appear,
as shown in .
3. Double-click on the label, to select it.
4. Set the Dialog-Box Builder Attributes option menu to Appearance.
5. Replace the contents of the Label Text text box, with Down Force Value.
6. Select Apply to make the change in your dialog box.
7. Use the reshape handles to resize your label.
8. Create another label, Up Force Value, to the left of the second slider.
6 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Creating a Custom Dialog Box

Figure 1 Force Control Dialog Box

Assigning Commands to the Sliders

User can assign commands to the sliders user just created to perform the functions user need.

To assign commands to the sliders:

1. Double-click the Down Force Value slider, and then from the Dialog-Box Builder Attributes
pull-down menu, select Commands.
2. At the bottom of the Dialog-Box Builder, select Execute commands while sliding.
3. In the command window, enter variable modify variable=.Latch.DV_11 real=$slider_1.
The command sets the variable value of DV_11, the variable assigned to the down force value, to
be equal to the slider selection.
4. Select Apply.
5. From the Dialog-Box Builder Attributes option menu, select Value.
6. Set the Value of the slider to 80, the Min. Value of the slider to 60, and the Max. Value to 90.
This matches the range of values that was automatically set for DV_11 when user created it. If
user want to open up the range to different values, user need to first modify the set of allowable
values for the design variable.
7. Select Apply.
8. Repeat the above seven steps for the Up Force Value slider, replacing the command for this slider
with variable modify variable=.Latch.DV_12 real=$slider_2.
Make sure user use the numerical values user assigned when creating the design variable used for
this slider (Value = 10, Min. Value = 0, Max. Value = 20).
9. Select Apply.
 Automating the Design Process 7
Creating a Custom Dialog Box

Testing the Dialog Box

Use the Test Box command to keep the Dialog-Box Builder open and operational in test mode. When the
dialog box is in test mode user can issue commands from it, but user can also quickly go back to edit
mode by selecting Test Box again or double-clicking on the dialog box background.

To test the dialog box:

• From the Dialog-Box Builder Options menu, select Test Box.

Saving Your Dialog Box

Save your dialog box in a command file. In Adams/View, a command file is simply a file that contains a
set of Adams/View commands. Even if user don’t save your dialog box to a separate command file, user
can still access it through the Database Navigator.

To save your dialog box:

1. To enter edit mode, double-click on your dialog box background.
2. From the Dialog-Box Builder, select Dialog Box, point to Export, and then select Command
File.
Your dialog box is saved in the command file Force_Control.cmd in the current working
directory.
8 Getting Started Using Adams/View
Modifying Force Values

Modifying Force Values

User now modify the clamping and release force values to find the optimal force magnitude. User also
plot the force values to see at what point the handle comes down to rest on top of the hook and when the
overcenter_angle measure drops slightly below zero, creating a toggle force.
User can try different settings for the clamping and release forces to verify that the handle can be closed
and released per the requirements.

Notes: If the sensor is causing problems with the investigation, user can deactivate it:

Click the background to ensure that nothing is selected.

• From the Edit menu, select Deactivate.

• The Database Navigator appears.
• From the Database Navigator, select the sensor.

To modify the clamping and release force values:

1. Right-click the single-component force (SFORCE) icon, point to Force:SFORCE_1, and then
select Modify.
The Modify Force dialog box appears.
2. Next to the Function text box, select the More tool .
The Function Builder appears.
3. Clear the function text area located at the top of the Function Builder.
4. In the function text area, enter the STEP function as shown next:

5. Select Apply.

Plotting the force values:

1. From the Function Builder, select Plot Limits.
 Automating the Design Process 9
Modifying Force Values

The Function Builder Plot Limits dialog box appears.

2. Change the End Value to 0.2.
3. Select OK.
4. Select Plot.
The Function Builder Measure plot displays the force function. This is the handle force user apply
to the latch. The Down Force Value slider sets the clamping force. The Up Force Value slider sets
the release force.
10 Getting Started Using Adams/View
The Next Step

The Next Step

User have now finished designing the latch model to meet the design requirements, without first having
to build a physical prototype. For more information about using Adams/View, see the Adams/View
online help.