CAD model

hello everyone. I am working on the OSL for my thesis project. I was trying to export the CAD model from onshape in order to export it to Simulink (by exporting in this order: Onshape→Solidworks→Simscape Multibody Link Plug-In) but I have no joints in the final model. Has anyone obtained a simplified CAD model that can work better for Simulink simulation? Or do you have any advice? Thank you !

Hello @mioki Which file format did you use ? From what I saw it is not possible to export from Onshape to .sldasm (OnShape to SolidWorks — Onshape).

You need a correct file assembly with the constraints to use the Simscape Multibody Link Plugin (https://www.mathworks.com/help/smlink/ref/mates-and-joints.html).

Depending on your needs, I would exports only a few of the OSL parts and redo an assembly in Solidworks to then use the plugin.

Hello, thank you so much for your answer. I exported it into Simscape (I opened a PARASOLID file) but there are no mates. I also tried to export only few parts of the OSL but it is really hard as there are so many little components/frames. If you have any ideas it would be great. My goal is obtaining a Simscape model to be used for control purposes, so I need the knee&ankle joints in order to actuate them. Thank you, have a nice day

What are the needs for your simulation ?

You could export 3 sub assemblies:

  • The proximal pyramid and studs
  • The Knee and Ankle
  • The foot and the stuts and mates them yourself in solidworks to then export this in your simulink.

unfortunately on the onshape CAD I can only export the whole leg assembly, which makes it hard to work on Solidworks..

You can use display states to export only parts of the assembly: Scoping Your Export Using Display States - Onshape

For example, I could export, a top, a middle and top part in stl and import them in blender: