You can define a spring connector between entities (faces or edges)
belonging to surfaces and sheet metal bodies. The spring connector is available for static,
frequency, buckling studies, and nonlinear studies. For nonlinear studies, you can define
point-to-point springs.
You define a spring connector when you want to model the behavior of actual
springs in your simulation, for example, shock absorbers in an automotive suspension. If you
do not define spring connectors, you must model the actual geometry of the spring, mesh it,
and impose the required contact conditions. By using spring connectors, you reduce the number
of elements and analysis time, while incorporating the behavior of the shock absorber.
The types of available spring connectors are listed below:
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Compression Extension
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These are general-purpose springs that generate forces as soon as the
parts connecting to them start to move.
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Compression
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You can use them to model rubber bumpers or springs that provide a
compressive interface when sandwiched between two parts.
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Tension
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You can use them to model cables or ropes that cannot take compressive
loads but can significantly affect the overall stiffness under tension.
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General Spring
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You can use a general spring to define up to six stiffness parameters to connect flat,
nonflat, and concentric cylindrical faces.
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