Learning Forum

[jakobfassbender]

Hi, I am currently trying to simulate an assembly that features -among other supports- two spherical bearings. I want to abstract those to supports that restrict only linear DoFs, in the center of the (round) bearing surface.

Has either part (an off-part support, a spherical joint) been done before?

I am grateful for any pointers in the right direction!

Thanks,
Jakob

[Aniket]

You can use joints to model spherical joints. You can insert them under connections.

[jakobfassbender]

Hey, I'm not sure if that is, what Aniket meant, but I solved the problem by using the remote displacement in the described subsection of solutions. The bearing face defined the surface and also the displacement point (set into the center). By setting the linear displacements to 0 and the rotational ones to free, I was able to achieve the desired results.

[peteroznewman]

Using Remote Displacement the way you did was equivalent to using a Spherical Joint, Body to Ground.  A Spherical Joint can also be used between two bodies, which you can't do with a Remote Displacement.