3.3.1. Connections

The Connections group includes the following categories and preferences.

CategoryPreferenceDescription
Auto DetectionToleranceSet the default for the contact detection slider. That is, the relative distance to search for contact between parts. The higher the number, the tighter the tolerance. In general, creating contacts at a tolerance of 100 finds fewer contact surfaces than at 0. The default is 0. The range is from -100 to +100.
Face Overlap ToleranceSet default tolerance for overlap of faces in contact; that is, the minimum percentage of overlap at which a contact pair is created for two overlapping faces. For example, if Face Overlap Tolerance is set to 25, a contact pair is created for each pair of faces for which at least 25% of one face overlaps the other. This preference enables the application to obtain more precise contact pairs during automatic contact generation based on a tolerance that is appropriate for your simulation type. The default is 0, which means overlap checks are turned off. The range is from 0 to 100.

Note:  The Face Overlap Tolerance value and the Tolerance value are evaluated together to determine which faces are considered to be in contact.

Face/Face[a]Set the default preference for automatic contact detection between faces of different parts. Options include Yes (default) and No.
Cylindrical FacesSet the default for separating flat surfaces from cylindrical faces for face/face contact. Options include Include (default), Exclude, and Only.
Face/Edge[a]Set the default preference for automatic contact detection between faces and edges of different parts. Options include:

  • Yes

  • No (default)

  • Only Solid Edges

  • Only Surface Edges

  • Only Beam Edges

Edge Overlap ToleranceSet the default tolerance for overlap of an edge and a face in contact; that is, the minimum percentage of overlap at which a contact pair is created for an edge and a face that overlap. For example, if Edge Overlap Tolerance is set to 25, a contact pair is created for an edge and a face when at least 25% of the edge overlaps the face. This setting enables the application to obtain more precise contact pairs during automatic contact generation based on a tolerance that is appropriate for your simulation type. The default is 0, which means overlap checks are turned off. The range is from 0 to 100.
Edge/Edge (3D)[a]Set the default preference for automatic contact detection between edges of different parts in a three dimensional model. Options include Yes and No (default).
Edge/Edge (2D)[a]Set the default preference for automatic contact detection between edges of different parts in a two dimensional model. Options include Yes (default) and No.
Priority [a]Set the default preference for the types of contact interaction priority between a given set of parts. Options include:

  • Include All (default)

  • Face Overrides

  • Edge Overrides

Revolute JointsSets the default preference for automatic joint creation of revolute joints. Options include Yes (default) and No.
Fixed JointsSet the default preference for automatic joint creation of fixed joints. Options include Yes (default) and No.
TransparencyParts With ContactSet transparency of parts in selected contact region so the parts are highlighted. The default is 0.8. The range is from 0 to 1.
Parts Without ContactSet transparency of parts in non-selected contact regions so the parts are not highlighted. The default is 0.1. The range is from 0 to 1.
DefaultTypeSet the definition type of contact. Options include:

  • Bonded (default)

  • No Separation

  • Frictionless

  • Rough

  • Frictional

BehaviorSet the contact behavior of the contact pair. Options include:

  • Program Controlled (default)

  • Asymmetric

  • Symmetric

  • Auto Asymmetric

FormulationSet the type of contact formulation method. Options include:

  • Program Controlled (default)

  • Augmented Lagrange

  • Pure Penalty

  • MPC

  • Normal Lagrange

Small SlidingSet the default behavior for the Small Sliding property. Options include Program Controlled (default), Yes, and No.
Update StiffnessSpecify whether the application performs an automatic contact stiffness update. Options include:

  • Program Controlled (default)

  • Never

  • Each Iteration

  • Each Iteration, Aggressive

Shell Thickness EffectThis preference enables you to automatically include the thickness of surface bodies during contact calculations. Options include Yes and No (default).
Auto Rename ConnectionsThis preference enables you to automatically rename joint, spring, contact region, and joint condition objects when Type or Scoping are changed. Options include Yes (default) and No.
Bushing Joint Worksheet ViewEnables you to set the default display (on or off) of the Worksheet for a Bushing Joint. Options include Yes (default) and No.
Contact ReportContact InformationThis preference enables you to automatically generate a text file in the solver directory that contains all contact pair IDs and names included in your simulation. The application automatically names the file ContactInformation.txt. Options include Yes and No (default).

[a] Unless changed here in the Options dialog box, the preference remains persistent when starting any Workbench project.