Motor PropertyManager

Motors are Motion Study elements that move components in an assembly by simulating the effects of various types of motors.

To open the Motor PropertyManager:

From an assembly, click Motor (MotionManager toolbar).

Motor Type

Rotary Motor Specifies a rotary motor.
Linear Motor (Actuator) Specifies a linear motor.
Path Mate Motor (Motion Analysis only) For a selected path mate in the assembly, specifies displacement, velocity, or acceleration as a body moves along a path.

Mate/Direction

Path Mate Selects the path mate that defines the path of motion.
Reverse Direction

Reverses the direction of motion.

Component

Selects the component relative to which the motion is applied.

Component/Direction

Motor Location Selects a feature at which to locate the motor.
Reverse Direction

Reverses the direction of motion.

  Motor Direction Selects the feature, such as a face or an edge, that defines the directional axis of the motor.
Component

Selects the component relative to which the motion is applied.

Motion

  Constant speed   Specifies a constant speed motor.
  Speed Sets the speed of a constant speed motor.
  Distance   Specifies that the motor operates for a set distance and time frame.
  Displacement Sets the distance of operation for a distance motor.
  Start time Sets the start time for the operation of a distance motor.
  Duration time Sets the time duration of operation of a distance motor.
  Oscillating   Specifies an oscillating motor profile.
  Displacement Sets an offset profile amplitude for an oscillating motor.
  Frequency Sets the profile frequency for an oscillating motor.
  Phase Shift Sets the profile phase shift for an oscillating motor.
  Servo Motor   Specifies a servo motor you can use for event-based motion studies.
    Displacement Specifies a displacement servo motor.
    Velocity Specifies a velocity servo motor.
    Acceleration Specifies an acceleration servo motor.
  Segments

Selects the component relative to which the motion is applied.

Defines profile from piecewise continuous functions of time or cycle angle.

  Data Points  

Defines profile from an interpolated data set as a function of time, cycle angle, or motion study results.

  Expression  

Defines profile as mathematical expression of time, cycle angle, or motion study results.

  Load Function from File  

Permits importing of a function created with the Function Builder from a .sldfcn file.

  Delete Functions  

Permits deletion of functions created with the Function Builder.

  Edit  

Permits editing of selected profile type.

More Options

Use this section to set motion relative to another part, and to select components for load-bearing faces or edges to transfer them to SOLIDWORKS Simulation.

Load-bearing Faces/Edges Specifies the load-bearing faces or edges.

Notes

Motors move components in a selected direction, but they are not forces. Motor strength does not vary based on component size or mass. For example, a small cube moves at the same speed as a large cube if you set the velocity of the motor to a given value in both cases.

If something causes the reference point of the motor direction to change, the motor continues to move the component in the new direction. This can occur, for example, if there is a collision between the component that is moved by the motor and another component.

Do not add more than one motor of the same type to the same component.

Motion due to motors supersedes motion due to any other simulation element. If you have a motor moving a component to the left, and a spring pulling a component to the right, the component moves to the left, while the power consumption of the motor increases.