Working with arcs

Release Notes

This page reflects additions or changes that apply to Enventive Concept v5 and later. We strongly recommend upgrading to the most current version of Concept to take advantage of new features and bug fixes.

Concept v5 added a new Curvature dimension type for arcs.

This section describes considerations for working with arcs in Enventive Concept.

Arc centerpoints

By default, arcs are created with a centerpoint. By removing the centerpoint, an arc can be flattened into a straight line or flip the sign of its curvature. For example, an arc can smoothly flip from convex to concave as the model is exercised during stepping (see also tolerance in motion).

Enventive Concept will automatically re-enable centerpoints if needed to allow constraints to the centerpoint to be created; for example, when creating a linear dimension using an arc, which dimensions to the centerpoint.

Dimensioning arcs

After applying a Radial dimension to an arc, you can specify the dimension type as Radius, Diameter, or Curvature.

Radius is the default type for arcs
Diameter is the default type for circles
Curvature dimensions (defined as = 1/R) apply only to arcs, and are useful in equations where arcs are flat ( = 0) or nearly flat, resulting in radial values that approach infinity

To change the arc dimension's type:

Select the arc dimension in the Sketch view.
In the Property Explorer's Selected Object area, click the Type drop-down.
Select the desired type.

Flipping or flattening an arc

Use the steps below to either flip an arc or flatten an arc into a straight line.

To enable an arc to flip or to flatten into a straight line:

Ensure that the arc does not have a radial dimension assigned to it.
Select the arc and remove the centerpoint by either choosing the right-click menu option Remove Centerpoint, or by clicking the Enable/Disable arc centerpoint toggle in the Properties Explorer:

For example, you could model a deflecting beam using arcs:

The ability of arcs to become straight lines enables you to model an unloaded beam:
As the load on the beam increases, the curvature of the arc decreases, until it finally becomes straight:
Furthermore, if you want to model forces that reverse direction (push up instead of down), you can use arcs to model a beam for which the curvature changes sign:

Note: Arcs were redesigned in Enventive v2.9. Arcs created in versions of Enventive older than v2.9 did not have this capability and are not automatically converted to the new arc design. Therefore, if you want an old arc to have the capabilities of the new arc design, you must delete the old arc and create a new one in v2.9 or newer.