Create Coordinate System

Define a local coordinate system to which boundary conditions may be later applied.

Every project will have one global coordinate system. Toggle the location of the global system by selecting the Show global coordinate system button in the Project tree workbench toolbar.
  1. In the Project Tree, click on the Assembly branch.
  2. On the Assembly workbench toolbar, click the (Create coordinate system) icon.
  3. Define the origin point.
    1. In the Coordinate system dialog, click the Origin tab.
    2. For User selection mode, choose one of the following.
      • Select Pick on part from the drop-down menu; select a vertex, edge, or face to locate the origin.
      • Select COG of selected faces from the drop-down menu; pick one face or use Control + Left click to pick more than one.
    3. Adjust the numeric values in the X, Y and Z fields to fine tune the location.
      Tip: You can also drag the point on the model to adjust location.
  4. Define X-axis direction.
    1. In the Coordinate system dialog, click the Axis X tab.
    2. On the model, select a vertex, edge, or face to define the direction of the axis.
    3. Click the Flip axis button to change the direction of the vector.
  5. Define Y-axis direction.
    1. In the Coordinate system dialog, click the Locate Y axis tab.
    2. On the model, select a vertex, edge, or face to define the direction of the axis.
    3. Click the Flip axis button to change the direction of the vector.
  6. Translate along local axes.
    1. Click the Translate along local axes check box to expand the dialog.
    2. For the translation Step, enter a value in the text box or use the spin wheel.
    3. Choose the desired axis and enter a value in the text box or use the spin wheel to translate the origin of the coordinate system in that direction.
  7. Rotate around local axis.
    1. Click the Rotate around local axes check box to expand the dialog.
    2. For the rotation Step, enter a value in the text box or use the spin wheel.
    3. Choose the desired axis and enter a value in the text box or use the spin wheel to rotate the the coordinate system around the chosen axis.
  8. Click OK.
    Note:

    Multiple local coordinate systems can be defined as well. Use these to specify boundary condition loads or displacement references in different coordinate frames.

    Coordinate Systems created can later be used as cartesian/cylindrical systems in the force/displacement dialog.