Recording data: Tolerance-In-Motion

Release Notes:

As of Concept v5, setting up a Tolerance-in-Motion (TIM) study now allows for specifying a number of statistical deviations (sigma values) for recording statistical results. Previously, the dialog box only provided an option for recording the ±3 sigma statistical values.

Default math groups included in the options for "Objects to Record" now include the "Spline Parameters" math group. Splines were introduced in Concept v5.

When simulating motion using stepping, you can run a Tolerance-in-Motion™ (TIM) study to record the variation across the range of motion and as part of optimization. TIM records all data to the tolerance analysis spreadsheet, which you can easily plot using the tolerance analysis spreadsheet's chart wizard.

TIM includes the ability to:

Select a math group, objects in the sketch, or variables in the parameter table.
Record results to the current worksheet or a new worksheet.
Differentiate between derived dimensions and contributors in recording results.

To set up and run Tolerance-In-Motion:

Select all the parameters that you want to include in the TIM study. You can select objects from the sketch (for example, using Ctrl + Click or windowing the area that contains the values you want to include) or from the Math View. Only the valid parameters contained in your selections will be included in the TIM study.

or

To use a math group to run the TIM study, ensure the math group contains all the parameters you want to include in the TIM study. You'll select the math group in step 3.
From the Analysis menu, select "Start Tolerance-In-Motion Study..." The Tolerance-In-Motion dialog opens.
If using a math group to run the TIM study, select the desired math group from the Objects to Record selection list. You can select your own custom math group or one of the default math groups (E360 Stacks or Spline Parameters).

If you are not using a math group to run the study, leave the selection at its default (selected objects) to record data for the parameters you selected in step 1.
Under Worksheet, select whether to run the analysis in the active worksheet or a new worksheet.
Under Contributors, select the information to include in the study for the contributors.
Under Analyzed, select what information to include in the study for the analyzed parameters. If recording sigma values, you can specify the number of statistical deviations using the up/down controls for the sigma settings. For example, you can set the sigma to "+/- 6 Sigma" rather than using the default "+/- 3 Sigma" setting.
Toggle on Record Current State to automatically output the current values of the parameters in the selected group.
Click Record to start the TIM study. A message at the bottom right of the Concept window indicates "Recording TIM Study." Note that the TIM results differentiate between derived dimensions and contributors.
Step the values as desired. The data is output to the tolerance analysis spreadsheet beginning in cell A1, regardless whether you use the active sheet or a new sheet.
Use the Pause/Continue Current Tolerance-In-Motion Study from the Analysis menu if you want to temporarily stop recording data to the spreadsheet.
Use the Stop Current Tolerance-In-Motion Study option from the Analysis menu when you are finished with the TIM study.

Plotting spreadsheet data

If you like, you can plot the TIM data that has been recorded to the spreadsheet using the spreadsheet's chart wizard. (See "Using spreadsheets to create plots" in the Enventive Concept Quick Start Tutorial for a detailed example of creating a plot from TIM results.)

Running Tolerance-In-Motion from the spreadsheet

After setting up TIM as described above, you can quickly start recordings by clicking the TIM button in the spreadsheet toolbar:

The study can be paused or stopped using the options from the Analysis menu described above.