This information is part of the Modelica Standard Library maintained by the Modelica Association.

The 3 signals of the force connector are interpreted as the x-, y- and z-coordinates of a force acting at the frame connector to which frame_b of this component is attached. Via parameter resolveInFrame it is defined, in which frame these coordinates shall be resolved:

Types.ResolveInFrameB.	Meaning
world	Resolve input force in world frame (= default)
frame_b	Resolve input force in frame_b
frame_resolve	Resolve input force in frame_resolve (frame_resolve must be connected)

If resolveInFrame = Types.ResolveInFrameB.frame_resolve, the force coordinates are with respect to the frame, that is connected to frame_resolve.

If force={100,0,0}, and for all parameters the default setting is used, then the interpretation is that a force of 100 N is acting along the positive x-axis of frame_b.

Note, the cut-torque in frame_b (frame_b.t) is always set to zero. Conceptually, a force and torque acts on the world frame in such a way that the force and torque balance between world.frame_b and frame_b is fulfilled. For efficiency reasons, this reaction torque is, however, not computed.

This force component is by default visualized as an arrow acting at the connector to which it is connected. The diameter and color of the arrow can be defined via variables diameter and color. The arrow points in the direction defined by the force signal. The length of the arrow is proportional to the length of the force vector using parameter N_to_m as scaling factor. For example, if N_to_m = 100 N/m, then a force of 350 N is displayed as an arrow of length 3.5 m.

An example how to use this model is given in the following figure:

This leads to the following animation

animation	Value: true Type: Boolean Description: = true, if animation shall be enabled
resolveInFrame	Value: Modelica.Mechanics.MultiBody.Types.ResolveInFrameB.world Type: ResolveInFrameB Description: Frame in which input force is resolved (1: world, 2: frame_b, 3: frame_resolve)
N_to_m	Value: world.defaultN_to_m Type: Real (N/m) Description: Force arrow scaling (length = force/N_to_m)

diameter	Default Value: world.defaultArrowDiameter Type: Diameter (m) Description: Diameter of force arrow
color	Default Value: Modelica.Mechanics.MultiBody.Types.Defaults.ForceColor Type: Color Description: Color of arrow
specularCoefficient	Default Value: world.defaultSpecularCoefficient Type: SpecularCoefficient Description: Reflection of ambient light (= 0: light is completely absorbed)