A force balance analysis is an inverse static analysis. In a force balance analysis, you derive the resulting reaction forces from a specific static configuration, whereas, in a static analysis, you apply forces to a mechanism to derive the resulting static configuration.

Use a force balance analysis to determine the forces required to keep a mechanism fixed in a particular configuration.

Before you can run a force balance analysis, you must reduce the number of degrees of freedom in the mechanism to zero. Use connection locks, rigid body locks between two rigid bodies, a loadcell lock at a point, or apply active servo motors to motion axes. Use the items in the Analysis Definition dialog box to evaluate the DOFs on your mechanism and apply constraints to it until you achieve zero DOF.