Analysts often have to model two different parts connected in some way. Sometimes connections are simple, such as two panels of sheet metal spot-welded together or a door connected to a frame with a hinge. In other cases the connection may impose more complicated kinematic constraints, such as constant velocity joints, which transmit constant spinning velocity between misaligned rotating shafts. Ignoring the full 3D geometric details of such connections, Abaqus offers a variety of specialized connector elements and properties allowing analysts to model the functional aspect of these interactions easily and robustly.

The connector output for these different types of connectors could sometimes be confusing if proper attention is not paid to the details of their formulation.  The customer support issues over last few years have shown that the rotational output of basic connectors such as EULER, CARDAN and ROTATION could be very likely misunderstood. These connectors are sometimes used interchangeably within the model disregarding the potential requirement in changing the connector properties like elasticity, plasticity, damage etc.  and actuation like connector motion (if involved).

The attached PDF document clearly illustrates what the rotational output in these connectors actually mean. If you wish to test the results yourself, the relevant input files have also been attached. For those of you with a SIMULIA support account, you can get the same document and the input files in QA00000023025

PDF document

The following input files have been used to generate the results shown in the document. Please replace .txt with .inp to run these files.

Input files

CARDAN connector:

EULER connector:

ROTATION connector: