Create Joints

Joint elements are config 22 and are displayed with lines between the appropriate nodes and the letter J between nodes 1 and 3 of the element. The type of a joint element controls the number of nodes contained in the element. The type also controls the orientation information formats available.
  1. From the Model, click the arrow next to the Interactions tool set name and select Joints from the list of tools.
  2. Select a joint type.
    OptiStruct joints
    • Axial
    • Axial and cardan
    • Axial and orientation
    • Axial and rotation
    • Ball
    • Cardan
    • Catresian
    • Cartesian and cardan
    • Cartesian and orientation
    • Cartesian and rotation
    • Cylindrical
    • Hinge
    • In-line
    • In-line and cardan
    • In-line and orientation
    • In-plane
    • In-plane and cardan
    • In-plane and orientation
    • In-plane and rotation
    • Orientation
    • Revolute
    • Rigid beam
    • Rigid link
    • Rigid link and cardan
    • Rigid link and orientation
    • Rigid link and rotation
    • Rigid pin
    • Rigid pin and cardan
    • Rigid pin and orientation
    • Rigid pin and rotation
    • Rotation
    • Translation
    • Universal
    • Universal connector
    LS-DYNA joints
    • Constant velocity
    • Cylindrical
    • Gears
    • Locking
    • Planar
    • Pulley
    • Rack and pinion
    • Revolute
    • Rotational motor
    • Screw
    • Spherical
    • Translational
    • Translational motor
    • Universal
    PAM-CRASH 2G joints
    • Bracket
    • Cylindrical_2N
    • Flexion-Torsion
    • Free
    • General
    • Pin
    • Planar_2N
    • Revolute_2N
    • Spherical
    • Translational_2N
    • Univesal_2N
  3. Depending in the solver interface and joint type, specify the request amount of terminal nodes, orientation systems, and/or properties.
    For LS-DYNA, two rigid bodies need to be selected. These can be:
    • Element: *CONSTRAINED_NODAL_RIGID_BODY
    • Component with *MAT_RIGID
  4. Click Create.