To Create a Nonlinear Spring
1. Click Refine Model > Spring. The Spring Definition dialog box opens.
2. Type a name for the spring or use the default name.
3. Click the color swatch adjacent to Name to change the color of the icon and the text displayed for the spring.
4. Select Simple as the spring type.
5. Select references to specify the locations of the spring’s end points, if you have not already done so. The References collector displays the selected references.
6. Select Force-Deflection Curve from the Extensional Force-Deflection Variation drop-down list.
Click to open the Functions dialog box. Use this dialog box to create a new function or copy, edit, or delete a selected function.
7. Click New to create a new Symbolic or a Table function using the Function Definition dialog box.
8. Click the Mirror for negative deflections: f(deflection) = -f(-deflection) check box to specify the force in the spring for positive deflections. The specified function formula calculates the force in the spring for positive deflections. For negative deflections, the symmetric force function is used. If you do not select this check box, the formula calculates positive (extension) and negative (compression) deflections. This check box is selected by default.
9. Click Review to open the Graph Function dialog box. Specify the range you want to include on the graph by typing a lower and upper limit value for the independent variable. These limits must define a segment of the graph that enables you to visualize the function.
10. Click Graph/Stability to open the Chart-Tool window to view the function graph.
11. Click File > Exit to close the window and perform a stability check.
12. Click Done to close the Graph Function dialog box.
13. Type a nonnegative real number value in the Force Factor box on the Spring Definition Dialog box. Select units of force from the adjacent drop-down list or use the default unit.
Alternatively, right-click the Force Factor boxes, and select Parameter to specify the values as Creo Parametric parameters.
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The value of Force Factor cannot be negative. Additionally, it cannot be 0 when the Torsional Stiffness is 0.
14. Type a nonnegative real number value in the Torsional Stiffness box. Select a unit for torsional stiffness from the adjacent drop-down list or use the default unit.
Alternatively, right-click the Torsional Stiffness boxes, and select Parameter to specify the values as Creo Parametric parameters.
15. Click OK.
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