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Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Motion Forces
Apply motors, actuators, springs, and gravity to define the elements for a motion analysis.
Profiles and Controllers
Motors and actuators have additional options on the microdialog that allow you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes) and control feedback.
Profile Functions
Motors and actuators have a profile option on the microdialog that allows you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes).

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Variables
Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
- Motion Connections
  Define motion connections by grounding parts and creating rigid groups and joints.
- Motion Forces
  Apply motors, actuators, springs, and gravity to define the elements for a motion analysis.
  - Motors
    Use the Motors tool to apply a motor to a hole, surface, or pin.
  - Actuators
    Use the Actuators tool to apply an actuator to features or connected parts.
  - Coil Springs
    Use the Add/Edit Coil Springs tool to apply a translational spring-damper force along the line of sight between two parts.
  - Torsion Springs
    Use the Add/Edit Torsion Springs tool to apply a rotational spring-damper force about the pivot axis for two parts.
  - Motion Contacts
    Use the Contacts tool to create motion contacts between parts or sets of parts.
  - Gravity
    Use the Gravity tool to apply gravitational acceleration (G) and adjust its direction.
  - Profiles and Controllers
    Motors and actuators have additional options on the microdialog that allow you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes) and control feedback.
    - Profile Functions
      Motors and actuators have a profile option on the microdialog that allows you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes).
    - Profile Editor
      Use the Profile Editor to view and edit profile functions.
    - Controller
      A controller is provided as a way to try and reach a desired (target) value by means of a feedback control loop.
- Motion Setup
  Complete the motion setup by creating veloctiy initial conditions and flexible bodies.
- Motion Analysis
  Run a motion analysis, plot the results, and extract the results for use in structural (FE) analysis and optimization.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Profile Functions

Motors and actuators have a profile option on the microdialog that allows you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes).

The following profile functions are available:

Step
Step Dwell Step
Single Wave
Oscillating
Swept Sine
Impulse
Ramp
Solver Expression
Multi-Signal

Figure 1. Motors microdialog: Profile functions

Note:

You can change the parameters of a profile function using the Property Editor.
If your profile function is Solver Expression, you cannot preview it in the Profile Editor directly. However, you can run a motion analysis, then plot the results (as shown below).
Figure 2. Example: Plot of the Motion Results for a Solver Expression Profile

Profile Types: Examples

Step

Step Dwell Step

Single Wave

Note: Use the time span parameter to adjust the duration of the waveform.

Oscillating

Note: Use the time span parameter to adjust the duration of the waveform.

Swept Sine

Impulse

Ramp

Solver Expression

Table Profile

Profile Parameters

Parameters available in the Profile Editor vary based on what profile function is selected.

Span

The time span from when the waveform begins to when it ends. For example, in the figure below, the time span is 1.8.

The Span and dt are related as the profile curve ramps up over time dt and tails off over time dt to prevent discontinuity in the profile.