MU (Movable Unit)
An MU (movable unit) is a part or workpiece that moves through your plant. A Source creates parts, and a Sink removes them at the end. You can also place an MU in the model before the simulation starts. The MU component marks a node as a part template or a pre-placed part.
Inspector settings
Section titled “Inspector settings”| Setting | Unit | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| LoadSeatDepth | mm | 0 | How far a load may sit below this MU’s collider top and still count as its load, for example a part in a jig or a cap over a valve end. At 0, the load rests on the top within 5 mm. |
Set LoadSeatDepth on the carrier, rather than on the load.
How parts move
Section titled “How parts move”A part can be:
- carried by a Transport Surface
- held by a gripper
- placed on a Grip Target
- carried as a load on another MU
- taken over by a Physics Zone, where physics controls its movement
Setting a part down
Section titled “Setting a part down”A horizontal, straight Transport Surface can pick up a part above its footprint when the part’s underside is up to 0.1 m (100 mm) above the surface’s top. While the surface carries it, the part settles onto the top with a gravity-like downward movement.
This settling applies only to horizontal, straight surfaces. Ramps, radial surfaces and guided surfaces are excluded.
Outside a Physics Zone, there is no general gravity beyond this settling movement. If you release a part beside a conveyor or above its reach, it stays in mid-air.
Unsupported parts
Section titled “Unsupported parts”Drop Detection runs by default, even without a Drop Detection component. You can turn it off in Settings > Simulation > Unsupported-part detection.
Only a part that has already been carried, held, placed on a Grip Target or supported as a load can be reported after losing its support. A static part that has never been carried or held is not reported. A finding also requires the part to remain unsupported for the grace time; by default, geometry below it counts as support. Parts controlled by physics are excluded.
Moving and deleting parts by hand
Section titled “Moving and deleting parts by hand”You can move or delete parts by hand. When you do this while the simulation is paused, sensors and detection zones update immediately.
See also
Section titled “See also”- Material Flow — sources, conveyors, sinks, sensors and zones
- Gripping — picking and placing parts
- Drop Detection — findings for parts that lose their support
- Physics — parts that fall, slide and stack