Workshop 3.

Contact Control

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical

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WS3.1: Contact Control

Workshop 3.1 - Goals Workshop Supplement

• Workshop 3.1 investigates contact behavior on a simple assembly. It

is meant to illustrate how rigid body motion can occur as a result of
improper contact set up.
• Problem statement:
– The model consists of a simple assembly file.
– Our goal is to set up contact among the parts in the assembly and see
how non symmetric loading can effect the results.

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WS3.1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 - Assumptions Workshop Supplement

• We’ll assume the friction between the arm shaft and the holes in the
side plates is negligible. We’ll make the same assumption for the
contact between the arm shaft and the stop shaft. Finally we’ll
assume the stop shaft is fixed to each of the side plates.

Arm Shaft

Side Plate

Side Plate

Stop Shaft

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WS3.1: Contact Control

Workshop 3.1 – Project Schematic Workshop Supplement

• Open the Project page.

• From the “Units” menu verify:
– Project units are set to “US Customary (lbm, in, s, F, A, lbf, V).
– “Display Values in Project Units” is checked (on).

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WS3.1: Contact Control
. . . Workshop 3.1 – Project Schematic Workshop Supplement

1. In the Toolbox, double click

“Static Structural” to create a
new analysis system.

1.

2. RMB on the “Geometry” cell

and “Import Geometry”.
2.
Browse to “Contact_Arm.stp”.

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WS3.1: Contact Control

Workshop 3.1 - Preprocessing Workshop Supplement

3. Double click the “Model” cell to open the

Mechanical application.
3.

4. Set/check the working Unit System: 4.

– Units > U.S Customary (in, lbm, lbf, F, s, V, A)

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WS3.1: Contact Control
. . . Workshop 3.1 - Preprocessing Workshop Supplement

5. RMB the “Connections” branch

and “Rename Based on
Definition”.

5.

• The result is contact regions are

now defined with respect to the
parts associated with each. Notice
the type of contact (e.g. bonded,
etc.) is also shown.

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WS3.1: Contact Control

. . . Workshop 3.1 - Preprocessing Workshop Supplement

6. Based on the assumptions stated

earlier change 3 of the contact
a.
regions to “No Separation” as
shown here:
a. Use the CTRL key and select the 3
contact regions shown here.
b. In the details change the contact
type to “No Separation”.
b.
• Each contact region could be
changed individually, selecting all 3
merely saves time.

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WS3.1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 - Environment Workshop Supplement

7. Fix the assembly (highlight the

“Static Structural” branch (A5):
a. Select the 2 faces on the ends of the
Side Plates.
b. RMB > Insert > Fixed Support.

a.

b.

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WS3.1: Contact Control

. . . Workshop 3.1 - Environment Workshop Supplement

8. Apply a force load to the ArmShaft:

a. Select the end line on the top of the
ArmShaft.
b. RMB > Insert > Force. a.
c. In the force details change to
“Component”
d. Set:
• Y component = - 10 lbf (minus 10) b.
• Z component = +1

c.

d.

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WS3.1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 – Initial Solution Workshop Supplement

9. Highlight the Solution branch (A6)

and RMB > Insert > Deformation >
Total. 9.
10. Solve (you will see a warning
message that the model may be
unconstrained).
10.
– Highlight the “Total Deformation”
to view the result.

– Although slight, we can see the

ArmShaft is beginning to move
sideways. We have no contact or
boundary condition to prevent this
motion as it is currently set up. If
the magnitude of the load becomes
large enough, the solution will fail.

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WS3.1: Contact Control

Workshop 3.1 – Modified Environment Workshop Supplement

11. Add a frictionless support to the

ArmShaft:
a. Select one of the faces on the end of
the shaft for the ArmShaft. a.
b. RMB > Insert >Frictionless Support.
• Either end of the shaft can be chosen.

b.
• A frictionless support provides a
constraint which is normal to the
surface upon which it is applied. In
this case the shaft will be free to
rotate but cannot move out of plane
(in this case the Z direction is
constrained).

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WS3.1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 – Modified Result Workshop Supplement

• Once again solve the model and inspect the deformations. As can
be seen the ArmShaft is now prevented from moving.
– In setting up contact models it is important to assess what motions
have and have not, been accounted for.

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