DEFINE LOAD CURVE

This function allows the user to define, read in, or modify MOTION and/or FORCE load curves. As shown in figure 9.2.4, the user can define the curve type by toggling either MOTION or FORCE. The MOTION curve allows the user to define the tool movement via velocity or displacement control, while the FORCE curve allows user to define a given force applied onto a tool. If both the MOTION and FORCE curves are defined for a tool, the MOTION curve will overwrite the FORCE curve control. However, the force control can be activated if a death time is set for the MOTION curve (the default death time is the termination time of the MOTION curve).

Figure 9.2.4 Tool Load Curve dialog window.

SHOW CURVE

Display the load curve on the eta/DYNAFORM display area. It also provides many options for viewing the graph.

ASSIGN CURVE

This function is used to assign a motion/force load curve to a tool from the list of defined load curves in the SELECT CURVE dialog window. As shown in Figure 9.1.5, the user can select a particular load curve from the list. Clicking OK confirms the selection and completes the ASSIGN CURVE function.

Figure 9.2.5 List Curve

READ

Allows the user to read in an external load curve using the window in Figure 9.1.6.

Figure 9.2.6 Read Curve File

AUTO

This function is used to generate a velocity/displacement/force load curve according to the begin time, velocity and stroke distance as shown in Figure 9.2.7. There are 3 different curve shapes: Trapezoidal, Sinusoidal and Sinusoidal with Hold. If MOTION CURVE is checked, as shown in Figure 9.2.4, the MOTION CURVE dialog window is displayed as in Figure 9.2.7.

Figure 9.2.7 Auto Motion Curve dialog window.

As shown in Figure 9.2.7, the MOTION CURVE dialog window enables the user to define either the velocity or the displacement load curve. If the VELOCITY check box is toggled ON, the load curve is plotted as Velocity versus Time. DISPLACEMENT enables the user to plot a Displacement versus Time curve. The load curves can be plotted in one of the 3 different types of curve shapes as listed below:

Trapezoidal - Simplified discrete load curve. (Recommended)

Sinusoidal - Smooth discrete load curve.

Sinusoidal with Hold - Smooth discrete load curve with the maximum velocity held constant.

If FORCE CURVE is checked, the FORCE CURVE dialog window (as shown in Figure 9.2.8) is displayed.

Figure 9.2.8 Auto Force Curve dialog window

REMOVE

This function is used to remove the applied load curve. If the REMOVE button is clicked, a warning message (as shown in Figure 9.1.9) will ask the user to confirm or deny the operation.

Figure 9.2.9 Remove Warning

MODIFY

This function is used to edit the current curve. Refer to Section 11.9.4 for more details.

MANUAL

This function is used to manually create a curve by input data points. The dialog window is shown in Figure 9.2.10.

Figure 9.2.10 The Input Curve dialog window.

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