Geometric Constraints

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

2D Geometric Entities
Geometric Entity Point Infinite straight line Straight line segment Circle Circular arc Ellipse Parabola Freeform (e.g. b-spline)
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Deg.-of-freedom

2D Geometric Entities
Entity Point Infinite line Line seg. Circle
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Equation

2D Geometric Entities
Entity Circular arc Ellipse Parabola Freeform
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Equation

2D Wireframe Constraints
Dimensional:
Distance (linear, horizontal, vertical) Angle Radius (or diameter) Curve Length Coincident, Incident Parallel, Perpendicular Tangent, Concentric Mirror Fixed, Fixed Horizontal, Fixed Vertical

Geometric

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

2D Wireframe Constraints
Constraint Deg.-of-freedom removed PointLinePointPoint Line Line 1 2 1 Distance Incident 2 2 1 Angle N/A 1 N/A Perpendicular N/A 1 N/A Parallel N/A 1 N/A
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

2D Wireframe Constraints
Constraint
Distance (P1, P2, s) Distance (L1, L2, s) Distance (P, L, s) Angle (L1, L2, )

Equation

(xP 2 xP1 )2 + ( y P 2 y P1 )2 = s 2
d L 2 d L1 = s

xP cos L + y P sin L d L = s

L 2 L1 =

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

2D Wireframe Constraints
Constraint
Coincident(L1, L2) Incident(P, L) Fix (P) (at 10, 5)

Equation
L 2 = L1 ; d L 2 = d L1

Coincident (P1, P2) x P 2 = x P1 ; y P 2 = y P1

xP cos L + y P sin L d L = 0
xP 2 = 10 ; y P 2 = 5

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Under/Over-Constrained Geometry
If there are not enough constraints, then the geometry is under-constrained. If there are too many constraints, then the geometry is over-constrained.
Under-constrained Over-constrained 6 4 7 6

5 7
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

How Under/Over-Constrained Geometry is Identified in NX3

Under-constrained: Arrows show remaining degrees-of-freedom. Status bar text tells how many constraints are
still needed.

Dragging under-constrained geometry.

(Note that you must be in constraining mode ( the arrows or status bar text.) ) to see

Over-constrained geometry is shown yellow.

Well-constrained, but no solution shown pink.
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Multiple Solutions
These two shapes have the exact same geometric entities and constraints
3 2 6 10 6 10 5 2 2 3 5 2

Use

to flip between two solutions.

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Constraining Procedure
1. Create Sketch object 2. Sketch curves 3. Restrain rigid body motion. (Constrain against something that is not in sketch.) 4. Constrain the points and curves of the sketch with respect to each other.

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Be careful!
1. When geometry is deleted, associated constraints are also deleted automatically! 2. Constrain to opposite lines, not points, if possible.
See problem with filleting.
2D Fillet

Distances to perpendicular line. GOOD!

Distances to line ends. BAD!

2D Fillet

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Potential Exam Question

What constraints could be added to fully constrain the wireframe shown? Include constraints to remove rigid body motion.
Vertices: A, B, C, D Straight Lines: AB, BC, CD, DA D

C A B

MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Potential Exam Question

Sketch the figure resulting when the following constraints are satisfied for the following entities. A has been drawn to start you off. Entities
Vertices: A, B, C, D Straight Lines: AB, BC, CD Circular Arc: DA

Fixed (A) Horizontal (AB) Distance (A, B, 2 in.) (B to the right of A) Angle (AB, BC, 45) (up and to the right) Distance (AB, CD, 1 unit) (CD above AB) Tangent (DA, AB), (DA, CD) (DA left of AB)
MEEM4403 Computer-Aided Design Methods

Constraints