By a spline I assume you mean a description of a 3d line in space, rather than the ADAMS meaning of a curve describing the relationship between two or three variables?

I don't think ADAMS understands 3D geometry quite like that, I think you'd have to roll your own.

Another approach would be to model the line as a series of markers and then work out the distance to each using DM, DX and so on.

You might be able to do something funky with the contact solutions, but I doubt it.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

Thanks for the response.  Yes, it is a 3-d spline in space and it is about modeling the aerodynamic forces on a ball inside a pipe. So the spline describes the center of the pipe and the force on the ball is a function of the distance between the center (spline) and the ball center.

So how is the pipe's axis modelled, in ADAMS?

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

Not yet modelled. But I could bring it in from UG (unigraphics) and convert the curve to spline. It might be possible to get a away with straight lines and radiusses but I rather write a code that could be apllied to any later change in the pipe.

Um, unless the latest versions of ADAMS have changed enormously the ONLY points in space that it understands are markers. OK, what you could do is for each time step find the point on the 3d curve's analytical equation that is closest to the ball. then move the J marker to that position, and apply your force equation.

It might well be worth asking on the MSC ADAMS forum (see FAQ), this is pretty tricky stuff and I am no expert when it comes to the Solver.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

I solved the problem without having to write a program. Use two "point on curve"'s with a straight line between them. In the middle of this straight line is another line perpedicular to the first line. On the last line is a translational joint to the center of the ball. The ball has a rev joint on the translational joint. And walla ! The ball can spin and hit the sides of the pipe and move freely inside the pipe. But now the distance along the translational joint is the distance I have been looking for and will always be the minimum distance from the center of the pipe to the center of the ball.  The straight line between two two point should be small enough to min error.

Well done. I haven't seen 'point on curves'.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.