AnalyzingAssembliesII UsingFreeInterfacesLecture UsingFreeInterfaces.

mp3

Using Free Interfaces

Free Interfaces are used to prevent the merging of two components along a surface that would normally be bonded.

Assembly with Bonded Interface

the parts are left to slide relative to one another. The figure on the right shows the same assembly with free interfaces assigned between the contacting parts. Best Practices Free interfaces are commonly used to prevent parts from merging for a variety of reasons. It could be that the parts in question are only connected through specific surfaces. If the user did not define free interfaces along surfaces that should not be merged, the model would have a much larger stiffness than it should. UsingFreeInterfacesDemonstration UsingFreeInterfaces_demo.mp4 UsingFreeInterfacesProcedure

Procedure: Using Free Interfaces

Scenario
In this exercise, you will use a Free Interface to prevent one pair of surfaces from being merged. FreeInterface free_interface.asm

Task 1. Open the Mechanica application and create a free interface.

1. Click Applications > Mechanica. Observe how WINCH.ASM is attached to 62484.PRT through two surfaces. A Free interface will be used to simulate one of the surfaces becoming separated so the user can evaluate if the single surface bond can carry the load.

2. Click Interface

from the Mechanica toolbar.

3. If necessary, select Free from the Type drop-down menu. 4. Verify that the drop-down menu in the reference area of the dialog box is set to Surface-Surface. 5. For the first Surface reference, select the top surface of 62484.PRT as shown in the figure.

6. For the second Surface reference, select the bottom hidden surface of WCH_1.PRT as shown in the figure.

7. The dialog box should appear as shown in the figure. Click OK to complete the Interface Definition and close the dialog box.

8. Note the creation of the Free Interface as indicated by the icon shown in the figure.

9. Return to the Standard Pro/ENGINEER mode by clicking Applications > Standard. 10. Click Save from the main toolbar and click OK to save the model. 11. Click File > Close Window from the main menu. 12. Click File > Erase > Not Displayed > OK to erase the model from memory. This completes the procedure.