Bolt Connection dialog box (universal connections)

General page

Name
Name	Sets the name of the connection. After you create the first connection, the software numbers the connections sequentially starting with 1. You can either use this default name or provide a new name.
Description	Sets a description for connection.To manage the text, you can use the Cut , Copy , and Paste commands. This description appears in the Description column in the Simulation Navigator.
Folder
Specifies the folder in the Universal Connections container where you want to save the connection. Using folders helps you to effectively manage a large number of connections.
Select Folder	Opens the Folder Selector dialog box, which lists the folders in the Universal Connections container. You can specify the destination folder for your connection from here.

Targets page

Flange
Select Object	Lets you specify the geometry or elements to connect with the bolt:MeshesPolygon bodiesPolygon facesSelection recipes
Targets
Displays a list of the target flanges that you added.
Deletes Entities	Deletes the selected flanges from the Targets list.

Locations page

Axis Setup
Lets you specify the location and orientation of the bolt axis.
Points	Lets you select two mesh points, nodes, or points, to define the axis of each bolt.If you plan to remesh part geometry frequently, consider using Selection Recipes to define a single bolt.
Vector	Lets you select a mesh point, or node, or point and a vector to define the axis of each bolt. The vector represents the direction of the bolt axis passing through a point.
Set of Curves	Lets you define larger quantities of bolts by selecting a selection recipe that contains curves, which represent centerlines of the bolt locations.One way to add centerlines at the bolt locations is by using the Line Point - Point command.For more information, see Create large quantities of bolts in one connection.
Selection Recipes	Lets you choose two selection recipes, each containing a single point, mesh point, or node, to define the axis of each bolt.This allows the bolt connection to resolve to a node when remeshing part geometry. For more information about selection recipes, see Selection recipes.You can use this to create a universal bolt connection that is compatible with NVH Composer. For more information, see NVH Composer.
Specify Point	Lets you specify a point through which the bolt connection passes.Click Point Dialog to open the Point dialog box. You can define a point here. For more information see, Point dialog box.Click to choose a point command to define the point.
Specify Vector	Lets you specify the orientation vector.Click Vector Dialog to open the Vector dialog box where you can define the vector. For more information, see Vector dialog box.Click to choose a vector command to define the orientation vector.
Reverse Direction	Available when a vector is selected.Lets you reverse the direction of the orientation vector.
Select Object	Available when Set of Curves is selected.Lets you choose a selection recipe containing center-lines of the bolt locations.
Select Start Selection Recipe	Available when Selection Recipes is selected.Lets you choose a selection recipe containing a single point, mesh point, or node at which the bolt starts.
Select End Selection Recipe	Available when Selection Recipes is selected.Lets you choose a selection recipe containing a single point, mesh point, or node at which the bolt ends.
Add Location	Available after you define a location.Adds a defined location to the Locations List.
Locations List
Displays a list of the defined locations.
Id	Displays the sequential number of the location.When you use Set of Curves to define multiple locations, you can expand the node to display information for each location within the selection recipe.
Type	Displays the type of Axis Setup method used to define the location.Location with Direction by PointsIndicates that the location is defined using Points.Location with Direction by VectorIndicates that the location is defined using a Vector.Selection RecipeIndicates that the location is defined using a Set of Curves.Each location within the selection recipe is labeled with a subindex number.Location with Direction by Selection RecipesIndicates that the location is defined using Selection Recipes.
Details	Displays the coordinates of the Master Point.The Master Point is based on the Axis Setup type:PointsMean of definition points.VectorDefinition point.Set of CurvesMean of centerline start and end points.Selection RecipesMean of first and second selection recipes.
Info	Displays information for each location. If the projection is invalid, displays FAILED. If the location is defined using Set of Curves, displays the number of location entities within the selection recipe.If the projection is valid, displays the shank diameter, head diameter, and connection length.Note: Shank diameter, head diameter, and connection length are displayed only after creating the connection and re-opening the dialog box.
Edit Location	This option is not available for universal bolt connections.You can edit the location by selecting it from the list and making any necessary changes to the Axis Setup.
Zoom on Location	Lets you zoom to the selected location.
Delete Location	Deletes the selected location entity.
Move up the selected location Move down the selected location	Lets you organize the locations list. You can use this option to organize the locations list, where you want to add an additional connection at a location in between the already existing locations.

Physicals page

Shank Diameter
Shank Diameter Type	Sets the diameter of the bolt shank.UserLets you set the diameter of the bolt shank manually.Flange Hole DetectionLets you set the shank diameter of each bolt automatically based on the detected hole diameters of the target flanges.If the selected flanges have different hole diameters, the smaller diameter is used to create the bolt.Note: To set shank diameter automatically, at least one of the selected flanges must be composed of 2D meshes or polygon faces. If the selected flanges consist only of 3D meshes or polygon bodies, you should select User and enter the diameter manually.
Shank Diameter	Appears when Shank Diameter Type is set to User.Sets the diameter of the bolt shank.
Manually Adjust Detected Diameter	Appears when Shank Diameter Type is set to Flange Hole Detection.Lets you manually set a factor by which each detected shank diameter is adjusted.You can use this to simulate bolt hole clearance.
Shank Diameter Adjustment Factor	Appears when Manually Adjust Detected Diameter is selected.Sets the factor by which each detected shank diameter is adjusted.
Head Diameter
Head Diameter is Defined by	Specifies how you want to define the head diameter.UserLets you set the head diameter.Factor of Shank DiameterLets you set the head diameter as a factor of the shank diameter.
Head Diameter	Appears when Head Diameter is Defined by is set to User.Sets the diameter of the bolt head. You can specify an exact value, or you can use expressions, functions, or the Extended Text dialog box to define the diameter.
Factor of Shank Diameter	Appears when Head Diameter is Defined by is set to Factor of Shank Diameter.Sets the factor of the head diameter with respect to the shank diameter.For example, if the Shank Diameter is set 4 and the Factor of Shank Diameter is set to 2, the resulting Head Diameter is 8.
Maximum Connection Length
Use Curve-Targets' Endpoints As Limits	Available when Axis Setup is set to Set of Curves.Sets the endpoints of the curve (centerline) as the limit when connecting the flanges for each bolt location. The software searches within this range to create the connection.You can use this to create a bolt when your selected flanges are not perpendicular to the bolt axis.
Maximum Connection Length	Sets the maximum-allowable projection distance for the connection.The connection only projects onto flanges that lie within the range.You can use this to limit which surfaces are connected by the bolt.
Shank Length Override
Shank Length Override	Lets you manually control the length of the connection.This allows you to quickly simulate a shorter connection length, as opposed to remodeling part geometry. A shorter connection length corresponds to a higher stiffness.No OverrideThe shank length is not overridden.User DefinedLets you set the length.% of LengthLets you set the length as a percentage of the overall connection length for each location.% of CurveAppears when Axis Setup is set to Set of Curves.Lets you set the length as a percentage of the length of the centerline that defines each location.
Length	Appears when Shank Length Override is set to User Defined.Sets the length of the connection
Percentage	Appears when Shank Length Override is set to % of Length or % of Curve.Sets the length of the connection as a percentage.
Use Master Point of Location as Shank Center	Appears when Shank Length Override is set to User Defined, % of Length, or % of Curve.Sets the Master Point as the symmetry point for the overridden shank length.When you set Shank Length Override, the bolt's center of gravity is used by default to define the symmetry of the shank length. By setting the Master Point as the symmetry point, you can offset the shank within the selected flanges to provide further control over the location of the connection elements.
Material
Select Material	Opens the Material List dialog box. You can assign a material for the bolt connection here.Note: You can create a bolt connection without assigning a material. However, you must assign a material before realizing (meshing) the connection using beam elements such as CBAR, CBEAM, B31, and BEAM188.

Note:

The software searches for at least one layer of elements around the bolt location for a good mesh. If the software is unable to search for it on the target flanges within the defined bolt connection dimensions, the bolt connection fails to mesh.

Additional magnitude options

Additional magnitude options for boundary conditions
For the physical quantities on the Targets page and Constant Physicals page, you can define the magnitude with a constant value, expression, or field. You can:Type a constant value directly in the box.Type an expression directly in the box. As you begin to type the expression, tooltips provide hints about valid parameter names. If you type an invalid or incomplete expression, the warning icon appears next to the box.Click and select:
Expression	Opens the Expressions dialog box, where you can select an existing expression or create a new one.For more information about expressions, see Expressions.
For more information about other options in the list, see Additional magnitude options.

How do I

Create and edit universal connections

Create large quantities of bolts in one connection

Learn more

Universal connections

Bolt universal connections

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Bolt Connection dialog box (universal connections), Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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