WS3.

1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 - Goals Workshop Supplement

• Workshop 3.1 investigates contact behavior on a simple assembly. It

is meant to illustrate how rigid body motion can occur as a result of
improper contact set up.
ANSYS Mechanical Introduction 12.0 • Problem statement:
– The model consists of a simple Parasolid assembly file
– Our goal is to set up contact among the parts in the assembly and see
how non symmetric loading can effect the results.

Workshop 3
3.1
1

Contact Control

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WS3.1: Contact Control WS3.1: Contact Control

Workshop 3.1 - Assumptions Workshop Supplement Workshop 3.1 – Project Schematic Workshop Supplement

• We’ll assume the friction between the arm shaft and the holes in the • Open the Project page.
side plates is negligible. We’ll make the same assumption for the • From the “Units” menu verify:
contact between the arm shaft and the stop shaft. Finally we’ll – Project units are set to “US Customary (lbm, in, s, F, A, lbf, V).
assume the stop shaft is fixed to each of the side plates. – “Display
p y Values in Project
j Units” is checked (on).
( )

Arm Shaft

Side Plate

Sid Plate
Side Pl t

Stop Shaft

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WS3.1: Contact Control WS3.1: Contact Control
. . . Workshop 3.1 – Project Schematic Workshop Supplement Workshop 3.1 - Preprocessing Workshop Supplement

1. In the Toolbox, double click

“Static Structural” to create a 3. Double click the “Model” cell to open the
new analysis system. Mechanical application.
3.
1
1.

2. RMB on the “Geometry” cell

and “Import Geometry”.
Geometry”
2.
Browse to “Contact_Arm.x_t”.
4. Set the working Unit System: 4.
– Units > U.S Customary (in, lbm, lbf, °F, s, V, A)

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WS3.1: Contact Control WS3.1: Contact Control

. . . Workshop 3.1 - Preprocessing Workshop Supplement . . . Workshop 3.1 - Preprocessing Workshop Supplement

5. RMB the “Connections” branch 6. Based on the assumptions stated

and “Rename Based on earlier change 3 of the contact
Definition”. a.
regions to “No Separation” as
shown here:
a. Use the CTRL key and select the 3
contact regions shown here.
5. b. In the details change the contact
type to “No Separation”.
• The result is contact regions are b.
• Each contact region could be
now defined with respect to the changed individually, selecting all 3
parts associated with each.
each Notice merely saves time.
time
the type of contact (e.g. bonded,
etc.) is also shown.

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WS3.1: Contact Control WS3.1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 - Environment Workshop Supplement . . . Workshop 3.1 - Environment Workshop Supplement

7. Fix the assembly (highlight the 8. Apply a force load to the ArmShaft:
“Static Structural” branch (A5): a. Select the split face on the top of the
a. Select the 2 faces on the ends of the ArmShaft.
Side Plates. b. RMB > Insert > Force. a.
b. RMB > Insert > Fixed Support. c. In the force details change to
“Component”
d. Set:
• Y component = - 10 lbf (minus 10) b.
a. • Z component = +1

b.
c.

d.

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WS3.1: Contact Control WS3.1: Contact Control

Workshop 3.1 – Initial Solution Workshop Supplement Workshop 3.1 – Modified Environment Workshop Supplement

9. Highlight the Solution branch (A6) 11. Add a frictionless support to the
and RMB > Insert > Deformation > ArmShaft:
Total. 9. a. Select one of the faces on the end of
10. Solve (you will see a warning the shaft for the ArmShaft. a.
message that the model may be b RMB > Insert >Frictionless Support
b. Support.
unconstrained). • Either end of the shaft can be chosen.
10.
– Highlight the “Total Deformation”
to view the result.

b.
– Although slight, we can see the • A frictionless support provides a
ArmShaft is beginning to move constraint which is normal to the
sideways We have no contact or
sideways.
boundary condition to prevent this surface upon which it is applied. In
motion as it is currently set up. If this case the shaft will be free to
the magnitude of the load becomes rotate but cannot move out of plane
large enough, the solution will fail. (in this case the Z direction is
constrained).

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WS3.1: Contact Control
Workshop 3.1 – Modified Result Workshop Supplement

• Once again solve the model and inspect the deformations. As can
be seen the ArmShaft is now prevented from moving.
– In setting up contact models it is important to assess what motions
have and have not, been accounted for.

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