AnalyzingAssembliesI UnderstandingConnectionsLecture UnderstandingConnections.

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Understanding Connections
Connections define the relationship between assembly components in Mechanica.

Interface o Free o Contact o Bonded Welds Rigid Link Weighted Link Fasteners

Weighted Link Connection

Contact Connection

Fastener Connection

Rigid Connection LectureNotes Understanding Connections When it comes to analyzing assemblies, Mechanica will by default assume all components with coincident surfaces should be merged and function as one body. While this default behavior can be changed, connections offer you the option to connect assembly components in very specific ways. The available connections can all be created under the Insert > Connections menu. The following connection types are available:

Interface: There are three different types of Interfaces. Free interfaces prevent the surfaces they are assigned to from being merged, but they will do nothing to prevent interpenetration. Contact interfaces will prevent surfaces from being merged, but they will also prevent interpenetration and calculate contact pressure and loads (when used with a contact analysis). Bonded interfaces will merge the surfaces selected (if that is not the default behavior).

Welds: Welds are used to create or extend existing idealizations to connect components. They are not welds in the traditional sense nor do they simulate the kind of bond that would be created by arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding, and so on. End welds, perimeter welds, and Pro/WELD feature welds are used for extending or creating shell elements between midsurface components, and spot welds are used to connect components using a beam element. Rigid Link: Rigid Links prevent the entities selected from deforming and make them move as a single rigid body. Weighted Link: Weighted Links are used to take masses or loads acting at a single source point and distribute it over a collection of selected entities. Fasteners: Fasteners are used to simulate bolt or screw connections.

Best Practices With regard to welds, Mechanica detects which midsurface components should be connected and automatically applies link elements to connect them. Though this has diminished the need for defining welds, it is important to understand how welds work and how each type connects the two components to which they are defined. You should also be aware that each of these weld types can add material to the model, and therefore the models mass in the analysis may appear greater than what is reported by Pro/ENGINEER.