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Contact Cone

The contact cone is the terminal piece that interfaces a support with the model.

What it is

  • The final support piece that touches the model.
  • A cone with a small contact end and a larger socket side.

Geometry

  • Tip: the small contact face that touches the model.
  • Cone body: the tapered section between the tip and socket.
  • Socket side: connects directly to a joint, with no shaft between them.

Behavior

  • The cone axis follows the averaged surface normal under the contact footprint.
  • The tip may embed slightly into the model surface.
  • The cone is the terminal element for support types that end on the model.

Constraints

  • The contact face touches the model only.
  • The socket side connects to a joint only.
  • It does not connect directly to a shaft.