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Tutorials
Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Motion Tutorials
Define joints and motion contacts, create motors and actuators, run a motion analysis and plot the results.
Tutorial: Actuators and Analysis Types
Add an actuator to a motion model, then run transient and static motion analyses.

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Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
- Basic Tutorials
  Get started learning how to adjust the view, move parts, run an optimization, and export files.
- Sketch and Geometry Tutorials
  Learn how to create 2D sketches and parametric parts, prepare and simplify solid geometry, and model surfaces.
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  Learn about implicit modeling in Inspire.
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  Define contacts, create fasteners, and connect parts with spot welds.
- Structural Analysis Tutorials
  Run a baseline analysis and analyze a generated shape.
- Structural Optimization Tutorials
  Learn how to run different types of optimizations and compare results.
- Motion Tutorials
  Define joints and motion contacts, create motors and actuators, run a motion analysis and plot the results.
  - Tutorial: Getting Started with Motion
    Learn how to create connections, add a motor and spring damper force, and run a motion analysis.
  - Tutorial: Joints, Motors, and Plotting
    Create and modify joints, add angle and speed motors, then run a motion analysis and plot the results.
  - Tutorial: Actuators and Analysis Types
    Add an actuator to a motion model, then run transient and static motion analyses.
  - Tutorial: Optimizing a Part with Motion
    Learn how to optimize a part using motion analysis results.
  - Tutorial: Motion Contacts and Force Explorer
    Create a motion contact between multiple parts and visualize forces using the Force Explorer.
  - Tutorial: Motion Joint Couplers
    Add couplers to joint pairs, reverse the direction of a coupler, then run a motion analysis and plot the results.
- Fluids Tutorials
  Import geometry, create fluid domains, apply boundary conditions, run a fluids simulation, and post-process the results.
- Design Explorer Tutorials
  Create a design-of-experiments and explore the results.
- Print3D Tutorials
  Learn how to prepare, analyze, and export parts for 3D printing.
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.
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.
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Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
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Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
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Tutorial: Actuators and Analysis Types

Add an actuator to a motion model, then run transient and static motion analyses.

In this lesson you will learn how to:

Ground a part
Connect parts with joints
Add an actuator to the model
Determine the direction of gravity
Run transient and statics motion analyses
View and plot the results

Open the CAD model

Press F7 to open the Demo Browser.
Double-click the M05_LiftTable.x_t file in the Motion folder to load it in the modeling window.
If not already visible, press F2 to open the Model Browser.
Check that the display units are set to MPA.

Ground a Part

On the Motion ribbon, select the Ground tool from the Connections category.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
Select the Base part to ground it.
The part turns red, and the part icon in the Model Browser changes to indicate that it is a ground part.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Connect Parts Together with Joints

Select the Joints tool.

The guide bar appears with default settings (All Parts, All, Auto).
Click , then the button on the guide bar.
Notice that joints are created at neighboring parts in the model, with colors used to indicate the joint state.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Add an Actuator to Drive the Mechanism

Select the Actuators tool.
Select Connected Parts on the guide bar.
Candidate locations are shown in red.
Click on the right cylinder part of the mechanism.
The right cylinder and the right cylinder piston together become the actuator, which is represented by an arrow.
From the actuator microdialog, change the magnitude of the displacement to 300 mm.
With the Actuator tool still active, box select the left cylinder.
The left cylinder and the left cylinder system together become the actuator with the same attributes as that of the right cylinder and the right cylinder piston.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Inspect the Gravity Direction

Open the Gravity tool:
1. On the Motion ribbon, next to Forces, select . A dropdown menu appears.
2. Select the Gravity tool.
  By default, the gravitational acceleration (G) is set to 9.80665 m/s² in the -z direction.
Notice that a vector is displayed which indicates the direction of gravity.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Change the Analysis Type to Statics

Hover over the Analyze Motion tool, then click the Run Settings icon to open the Run Motion Analysis window.
Change the End Time to 2 s and select the Statics option.
Close the Run Motion Analysis window.

Run a Motion Analysis and Plot the Statics Analysis Results

Click the Quick Run button on the Analyze Motion tool to see the model in motion, and let the model run to completion.

Note: Notice that the table first moves up and then down because of the actuators.
When the analysis is complete, review mode is invoked automatically.
The run icon on the ribbon changes to review mode, and the animation toolbar appears at the bottom of the modeling window.
Select Actuator 2 in the modeling window by clicking the arrow glyph to see a plot of the actuator force required.

Note: When selecting the actuator, move your mouse cursor over the actuator arrow and wait for it to prehighlight blue before you click it. If you have trouble clicking on the actuator directly, try selecting it in the Model Browser.
Select Actuator 1 in the modeling window by clicking the arrow glyph to see a plot of the actuator force required.

Change the Analysis Type to Transient

Click the Run Settings icon to open the Run Motion Analysis window.
Select the Transient option and enable Start at equilibrium.
The analysis will find the initial static equilibrium position before starting the transient simulation.
Close the Run Motion Analysis window.

Run a Second Motion Analysis and Plot the Transient Results

Click the Quick Run button on the Analyze Motion tool to see the model in motion, and let the model run to completion.
Select Actuator 2 in the modeling window or Model Browser to see a plot of the actuator force required.
Select Actuator 1 in the modeling window or Model Browser to see a plot of the actuator force required.
Double-right-click to exit review mode.

Change the Dwell Time for the Actuator Function

If not already visible, press F2 to open the Model Browser and F3 to open the Property Editor.
Click in the Model Browser and scroll down to the actuators.
Hold down the Shift key and select Actuator 1 and Actuator 2 in the Model Browser.
Change the Dwell Time to 0.3 seconds in the Property Editor under the Profile tab.

Change the Analysis Type Back to Statics Analysis

Click the Run Settings icon to open the Run Motion Analysis window.
Select the Statics option.
Close the Run Motion Analysis window.

Run a Third Motion Analysis and Plot the Statics Results

Click the Quick Run button on the Analyze Motion tool to see the model in motion, and let the analysis run to completion.
Select Actuator 2 in the modeling window or Model Browser to see a plot of the actuator force required.
Select Actuator 1 in the modeling window or Model Browser to see a plot of the actuator force required.

Change the Analysis Type Back to Transient Analysis

Click the Run Settings icon to open the Run Motion Analysis window.
Select the Transient option and enable Start at equilibrium.
Close the Run Motion Analysis window.

Run a Fourth Motion Analysis and Plot the Transient Results

Click the Quick Run button on the Analyze Motion tool to see the model in motion, and let the analysis run to completion.
Select Actuator 2 from the Model Browser to see a plot of the actuator force required.
Select Actuator 1 from the Model Browser to see a plot of the actuator force required.