This function provides options to plot tool force vs time curve, and force vs displacement from home position curve, which helps the user to analyze and predicate the tonnage. The control window is illustrated in Figure 6.11.1. The function loads the result file of LS-DYNA analysis automatically: RCFORC and RBDOUT. The steps are as follows:

1)      Select RCFORC in the Case List by mouse, at the same time, relevant RBDOUT is selected if toggle on Linkage option. And all relevant tools and drawbeads will be listed in the Tool List.

2)      Select any tool in the Tool List, the tool will be highlighted in the screen if toggle on Highlight Part option. The user can make the multi-selection by Ctrl and the left key.

3)      Select curve typeforce vs time curve or force vs displacement from home position curve.

4)      Select Force Direction option.

5)      Define Unit

6)      Select the Plot button to generate the curve.

NOTE:  If the index file, RCFORC file and RBDOUT file have existed in the directory of the model result file, RCFORC file and RBDOUT file will be loaded automatically.

Figure 6.11.1  Tonnage Prediction control window

l  LOAD INDEX FILE

This function is used to load idx file. The user can run eta/post and use the function to straight read RCFORC and RBDOUT. In addition, if the user opens multistage result file, the user must read RCFORC and RBDOUT of all stages by the function.

l  CASE LIST

This function is used to list RCFORC and RBDOUT.

l  LINKAGE

This option is used to keep the same stage of RCFORC and RBDOUT.

l  TOOL LIST

This function is used to list all tools and drawbeads of index file, and supports multi-selection.

l   HIGHLIGHT PART

This option is used to highlight the selected tool.

l  X: TIME/DISPLACEMENT

This option is used to define curve type: force vs time curve or force vs displacement from home position curve.

l  Y:FORCE DIRECTION

This option is used to define tool force direction: total, x, y, and z.

l  UNIT

This option is used to convert force, length, and time unit.

l  PLOT

This option is used to generate new curve. Select the button to pop up the curve window, as show in Figure 6.11.2. If the user plots two or several curves once, the user needs the multi-selection in Tool List once.

Figure 6.11.2  Curve window of Tonnage predication