Is there any prescribed method to model joints with clearances in SimMechanics?

Is there any known way to model joints with clearances preset, such as a bush/bearing joint with clearance between the journal and the bearing, in SimMechanics? Do there exist any alternatives/interesting workarounds?

Answer 1

[Steve Miller]

In Simscape Multibody (formerly named SimMechanics), you can enable joint limits to simulate joints with clearance. You can enable them per degree of freedom, so for planar clearance you would need to enable them for the x- and y- primitives.

For clearance of custom shapes, you would need to create a custom force law that measures the distance between the "shaft" (part connected on one side) and the "housing" part connected on the other side, calculate the force from contact between the shaft and the housing if it occurs, and then apply it back at the joint. You can use MATLAB, Simulink, or Simscape to define the force law.

--Steve