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24 - Chapter 10 PDF
24 - Chapter 10 PDF
CATIA
6.1 Introduction
In thesis, CATIA is to model the centrifugal blower. Complex and rich design can be created by
CATIA, a robust application. It is feature based mechanical design software, a parametric solid
modeling design tool. It uses windows graphical user interface and easy to learn. Without or with
constraints, fully associative 3D solid models can be created with the help of CATIA. In the
mean time we can use user defined or automatic relations for capturing the design intent.
Feature-based
Document of CATIA is made from individual elements similar to an assembly which is made
from a number of individual parts. The elements of CATIA are called features. During document
creation, a number of features such as charts, fillets, chamfers, holes, pockets and pads can be
added. These created features may be applied to the work piece directly.
• We can directly create dress-up features on the solid model. This type of feature’s
examples is chamfers and fillets.
• 2D sketch is used to create sketch-based features. In general, transformation of sketch is
done into a 3D solid by lofting, sweeping, rotating or extruding.
The model stores the relations and dimensions used for creating a feature. With the help of these
parameters, we can make changes in the model as well as any changes to the model can be done
easily.
• Driving dimensions: We can create features with the help of this parameter. Dimensions
associating itself in the feature as well as sketched geometry dimensions are included in
this feature. In initial stage itself, we can fully capture our design intent once information
is captured in the sketch A cylinder pad can be used as an example. Sketched circle
diameter controls the pad diameter and the depth extruded in the circle controls the pad's
height.
Solid Modelling
CAD system uses solid model supposed to be the best complete geometric model. All the surface
geometry and wireframe are contained in it which are required to describe fully the model's faces
and edges. Apart from geometric information, topology of solid models are also conveyed by
them. Geometry together are also related by solid modeling. As an example, identification of
faces (surfaces) at edges (curves) may be included in topology. Adding new features becomes
easier by using this intelligence. Example - if a model requires a fillet, simply an edge can be
selected and a radius can be specified to create it.
Fully Associative
Model of a CATIA is completely associative with drawings and assemblies or parts referencing
it. There is automatic reflection of any changes made in the model to the drawings, assemblies
or/and parts. Similarly, any change done to the assembly or drawing is reflected back in model.
Figure 6.4: Associative Modelling
Constraints
Relationships among a model's features are established by geometric constraints (for example
coincident, vertical, geometric, horizontal and parallel) by fixation of their position with respect
to each other. Additionally, for establishing mathematical relationships among parameters,
equations may be used. With the help of equations and constraints, it may be guaranteed that
design concepts like equal radii and through holes are captured & maintained.
Planning how to construct a part’s solid model is termed as design intent. it is done in
order to convey properly the solid model's functional and visual aspects. Before and
during part's modelling, design intent is considered. It is done in order to use CATIA like
parametric modeller efficiently. Model creating technique shall affect the behaviour of
model whenever a change is there in future.
Many aspects are affected by the manner of building a solid model. It may include:
requirements of resources for computing a new result, stability at the time of process
change and its flexibility to change. Thus, the design intent should be considered for the
creation of an efficient solid model. This is an important step.
• Additional Relations: These are the relations which provide another method for
connecting related geometry. Offset, coincident and concentric are some of the
common relations.
6.2 Starting with CATIA
• A. For selecting items or elements displayed on screen, we use left mouse button.
• B. For pointing and indicating to a direction on screen, we use center mouse or
thumb wheel.
• C. On the screen, a contextual menu required to preselect or select elements on
screen is displayed using right mouse button.
Different types of CATIA documents can be created, modified & saved. Geometrical
specifications and information defining an object are contained in these documents.
Documents which are most common are:
Part Design: It is used to design parts with the help of solid modelling approach.
Sketcher: It is used to create 2D profiles with associated constraints. This 2D profile can
then be used for creating 3D geometry.
Wireframe and Surfaces: It is used to create features of complex part with surface
elements and 3D wireframe.
Generative & Interactive Drafting: It is used to create drawings from assembly and its
parts.
During solid model creation, sequences of visual step-by-step record are provided by
specification tree. In the design process & specifications, we can remove, reorder or edit
steps. Without having to create model, this is done for achieving a new finished part.
Certain information and features can be suppressed with the help of specification tree.
This is done for the model by removing them temporarily. For example, several hole
features are contained in the model on right side figure. Simply the holes can be "turned
off" (suppressed) & still the base area of the model will be reflected without actual
deletion of holes.
• A. Either objects to be processed are selected first and then after required tool for
performing the operation is selected.
• B. Or tool needed for performing the operation is selected first and then after
objects to be processed are selected.
For defining features, various parameters are provided by CATIA dialog boxes. For
defining features for a process or input, these boxes are easy-to-us and standardized. For
the purpose of example, hole definition dialog box is shown by the following figure.
Figure 6.11: Dialog Boxes
In various ways a model can be viewed by CATIA because its environment is 3D. Zoom,
pan, and rotate are the easiest way for changing a model's view.
6.2.8 Compass
Compass is an orientation tool which helps to perform view rotations. A powerful tool,
compass, is used for physical movement & manipulation of objects. A particularly useful
tool used in digital mockup, freestyle & assembly design workbenches.
Privileged plane also called the base of the plane is the XY plane by default. The
compass's default orientation, the location of which is on the right top corner of screen, is
parallel to system's XYZ axis.
When there is change in 3D view of an object, its orientation reflecting the new view of
direction/angle will be updated by compass.
Figure 6.13: Compass
Elements numerous graphical properties appearing on the screen can be changed with the
help of Graphic Properties toolbar. Following properties can be changed with the help of
tools provided by it.
• Fill color
• B. Transparency
• C. Thickness of line
• D. Type of line
• E. Symbol of point
• F. Rendering Style
• G. Active layer
H. Graphical properties of one feature to another can be copied with the help of painter
tool.
Figure 6.14: Graphic Properties
Different styles of rendering can be applied by CATIA in order to provide more clarity to
model for the purpose of visualizing geometry. of the model. The rendering styles are
contained in View toolbar:
• A. Shading (SHD)
• Shading with edges
• C. without smooth edges shading with edges
• D. Shading with edges with hidden edges
• E. Shading with material
• F. Wireframe (NHR)
While opening a new session, we are placed automatically in a product structure context.
.CAT product document is an empty product structure document. Following figure shows
a product structure document open by default.
We can navigate from one part or subassembly to another part or subassembly within this
document. Also we can edit the document with the help of workbench for creating them
directly inside the product structure This process is called as "editing in context".
Entire data inside the product structure is saved by saving the product structure
document. But while creating data with the help of Part Analysis, Design & Generative
Drafting workbenches, creation & saving of data is in different document which is
outside the product structure.
Figure 6.17: Product Document
6.3 Creating Profiles
• Creation of a rectangular profile will meet the need. The profile should
be symmetrical around part's origin. Circle's center too must be located
at the origin.
3. The distance of the smaller hole must be 30 millimeter form the center hole.
• While creating the part's efficient model, taking the design intent into
an account is always an important step.
3 default reference planes alone are contained in a new plane. In specification tree, these
planes are fist elements always.. These reference planes are the foundation of feature
creation. To create profiles, a suitable sketch support needs to be selected.
Figure 6.19: Workbench (Part Design)
Reference Planes
In any part profile, first three features are default reference planes. Derivation of their
names comes from the plane to which they are parallel, i.e., XY, YZ & ZX planes.
A support on which creation of first sketch takes place is provided by the reference plane.
2D profile is the starting point of each part which is new. Use of Two Dimensional
sketcher workbench which is a workspace, generation of this profiles may take place.
Elements created inside sketcher are 2 Dimensional WIREFRAME exclusively.
Geometry generated in sketcher is a single sketch in part design workbench. Inside part
design workbench, 3D feature is created with the help of current sketch. For sketches' fast
alteration, they are constrained by simple alteration of dimensions.
Sketch Support
A plane where sketch is generated is a sketch support. Planar should be the sketch
support. A sketch can be created on a plane face or on a reference plane of a geometry
which exists. In a typical condition, creation of model's first feature is generated on one
out of many default reference planes.
If specification of origin & orientation is not in a sketch then such a sketch is termed as
non-positioned sketch. Sketcher icon is selected first for creating a non-positioned sketch.
After that in geometry area or specification tree, reference plane is selected. Animation is
performed in geometry area and after that alignment of selected plane parallel to screen
takes place. Now in selected plane, construction of profiles will be done.
Grid
Sketcher workbench contains the grid at its background by default. During sketch, this
functionality can be deviated by pointer of mouse snaps to grid’s points & thus it will not
be available temporarily.
Figure 6.25: Grid
Following functions are available by Profile Toolbar tools for creating sketched
geometry:
Points:
Icon Description
Point by After definition of sketch’s 2D coordinates, a point can be
coordinates created.
Lines:
Points are the basis of a sketcher element. Under specification tree’s sketch’s Geometry branch,
sketched geometry is inserted.
Circles:
Three point
Via 3 points, circle may be created..
circle
Tri tangent
On 3 curves, tangent to a circle may be created.
circle
Conics:
Create by selecting:
• A 1st endpoint & define its
End tangents
tangency
& two point
• A mid-point
conic
• A tangency & 2nd endpoint
Select & create:
Tangent • Two endpoints
intersection & • A mid point
Two point • Tangent intersection defining
conic point
Create by selecting:
One tangent & • Two endpoints
four point • Two midpoints & at last or
conic first point 1 tangency should
be defined
Select & create:
Conic with • Three midpoints
five points • Two endpoints
Pre-defined Profiles:
Once creation of sketched geometry is finished, we can add constraints & dimensions of
geometry. Purpose of constraints is spatial fixation of geometry mathematically. If we do
not use constraints, mouse may be used for moving the geometry. By moving the
sketched profile, supported solids will also be moved. In an assembly context, moving
one part will also move the related part.
If the constraints are not used, creation of feature is unpredictable & model modifications
will affect adversely the function of complete assembly, its fit and form. Elements are
related to itself & one another in a logical manner by using constraints.
Change in model's placement or values can modify it after creation of constraints. While
maintaining the intent of design alternative design can be explored quickly by CATIA
users because of its easiness in modifying the constraint & its inherent downstream
associatively.
In sketcher work bench’s sketched geometry, constraints are inserted. There are two types
of constraints which can be added:
In ideal case, a finished sketch should be completely constrained. Sketch’s location and
size should be clearly. As a result of changes in the model, design intent may not be
maintained in an under-constrained. Use of CAYIA’s parametric & associative
capabilities is allowed by constrained sketches.
Representation Description
Representation Description
Rotating the model into three dimensional view is a good idea during construction of
sketched geometry to three dimensional elements which exists at present. During model
rotation we may make sure that selection of three dimensional elements is done. After
highlighting of 3D element normal view icon has to be selected by the user so that
orientation could be returned palallel to plane of sketching.
Sketched geometry which exists at present can be extended or trimmed with the help of
re-limitation tools. Operation toolbar contains flyout menu called re-limitation toolbar
where re-limitation tools can be found. Following tools are included in re-limitation
toolbar:
A: Trim
B: Break
C: Quick Trim
D: Close
E: Complementary angle
Trim option
Selection of trim tool expands the Sketch Tool toolbar where two modes of trim are
displayed:
A: Both elements which are selected are trimmed by the mode – Trim All Elements.
B: First selected element only is trimmed by the mode – Trim First Element while
there is no change in second element.
Figure 6.36: Trim options
Selection of Quick Trim tool expands the Sketch Tool toolbar where numerous modes of
quick trim are shown:
B: An element’s chosen portion upto other element’s intersection are kept intact
by the mode – Break and Rubber Out
C: Entire elements are kept intact by the mode – Break and Keep but at other
elements’ intersection the element is broken.
Such options permit us the mirroring of chosen geometry about an axis. Original
geometry is retained by the mirror option. On the other hand it is removed by symmetry
option.
Translation
Rotation
Scale
One or more than one sketched elements are offset by offset tool. Sketch Tools toolbar
allow three propagation modes:
A: Project 3D Elements
B: Intersect 3D Elements
Sketch Analysis
Tool for sketch analysis may be used for resolving problems. Constraint status like over-
constrained, iso-constrained and under constrained of sketch can be determined with the
help of this tool while maintaining degrees of freedom.
Closeness or openness of profiles can be determined with the help of sketch analysis tool.
During creation of a figure based on sketch, if any error occurs this tool will be useful.
6.4 Part Design Features of CATIA
During model creation, many features included in part design are helpful to users. These features
are:
Beginning of any part design should be with a strong base feature. Foundation or primary shape
of any part design is is represented by this base feature. Other geometries may be removed or
added taking into account this feature. The basis form of the base feature is a surface element or
a sketch .
Basic element selection of base feature should be such that it should convey the part’s function
or the primary shape of the part. It is not meant to completely define each and every detail of the
base feature. For example, pockets, holes fillets or other features should be created as base
feature sketch part. The creation of this can be done at a later stage as se[parate features.
Figure 6.41: Base feature with final model
For completing the design, material adding or removing feature is needed to be defined after
selection of base feature.
• Pad
• Shaft
• Rib
• Stiffener
• Multi-sections solid
• Hole
• Slot Groove
• Pocket
• Removed Multi-section solids
Dimensions define the pad’s length or pocket’s length. If a limiting element defines a pocket or a
pad then it is associated to that element. Different options of types of depth are listed below:
A: Dimension
B: Up to Next
C: Up to Last
D: Up to Plane
E: Up to Surface
Figure 6.44: Limits of pads & pockets
There are restrictions on profile sketches of pocket/pad. Generally connecting entities forming
closed loop should be part of profile sketch. Only Thick option should be used with open-loop
profile sketches.
Groove features or pads and pockets features can be created by using open profiles For limiting
new feature of an existing geometry, open profile feature can be considered. Need of creating
and constraining additional sketched geometry is eliminated if existing geometry is used to re-
limit a feature. Stability of re-limiting feature should always be ensured. Profile may fail if re-
limiting feature is heavily modified or removed.
Figure 6.46: Open profiles
Numerous pockets/pads can be created with the help of pockets and pads features.
Between these tools it requires at least two non-intersecting closed profiles. We can create
multiple features much faster by using these tools.
Revolved features like grooves and shafts can be created by using an axis as a reference.
About this axis sketched profile is revolved. Use of axis is also possible to generate symmetricak
sketched elements within sketched workbench.
Radius dimension and diameter to an axis can be defined. During creation of profile
sketches of revolved features, the dimensioning of axis is useful.
Figure 6.50: Axis Dimensioning
Shaft is used for adding material to a model. It is a feature that is revolved sketched-
based.
Revolved features are the features of grooves. From existing features, material is
removed with the help of groove feature. It is done, around an axis, by rotation of a 2D profile.