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Configure Simscape Multibody Link

Warning

This content refers to Simscape™ Multibody™ Link First Generation software. First-generation features are slated to be deprecated and should be avoided. To prevent compatibility issues in future releases, the Simscape Multibody Link plug-in no longer supports the translation of CAD models into Simscape Multibody Link First Generation models.

Simscape Multibody Link Settings

The Simscape Multibody Link add-in tool provides a Settings option. Use the option to specify:

  • Tolerances — linear, angular, and relative

  • Coordinate systems to export

To access the Settings parameters:

  1. Open the assembly to export.

  2. In the menu bar, select Simscape Multibody Link > Settings. In certain SolidWorks® versions, this option may appear under the Tools menu.

The Settings dialog box opens.

Dialog Box

The dialog box contains four panes:

  • Message — Describes the purpose of the dialog box. The Message box is inactive.

  • Solve Subassemblies Using — Determines whether to export a subassembly as a rigid or flexible system.

  • Assembly Tolerances — Specifies linear, angular, and relative tolerances of exported assembly.

  • Export Coordinate Systems — Determines what coordinate systems to export.

Solve Subassemblies Using

Select how to export CAD subassemblies.

  • Component properties — Treat rigid subassemblies as rigid, and flexible subassemblies as flexible.

  • Flexible settings — Treat all subassemblies as flexible. This setting applies does not affect the original CAD assembly.

 Make Subassemblies Rigid or Flexible in SolidWorks

Assembly Tolerances

Enter the export tolerances for a CAD assembly. During the conversion of CAD constraints to Simscape Multibody joints, Simscape Multibody Link compares the spacing, alignment, and relative numerical errors with the export tolerances.

FieldDefault ValuePurposeDefaultUnit
Linear tolerance1e-005Smallest significant length difference1e-5meter (m)
Angular tolerance1e-005Smallest significant angle difference1e-5radian (rad)
Relative roundoff tolerance1e-012Smallest significant relative numerical difference1e-12

Export Coordinate Systems

Specify which reference coordinate systems to export. The reference coordinate systems are independent of mates between parts. Options include:

  • Do not export coordinate systems — Export no coordinate systems.

  • Export only CSs with this prefix — Export only coordinate systems with the specified name prefix. If the prefix field is empty, Simscape Multibody Link exports all reference coordinate systems.