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Creating Parts: in This Chapter
Creating Parts: in This Chapter
Creating Parts: in This Chapter
Creating Parts
In this chapter
This tutorial develops techniques you learned in the previ- ■ Analyzing design
ideas to simplify
ous chapter. You use sketches to create features, position sketching
■ Selecting the base
standard features such as holes, and then combine them to feature
■ Planning the order in
create a part. You analyze your design and build a model so
which to add features
that you can easily incorporate changes. This is a problem- ■ Stabilizing features
with constraints and
solving process that you can apply to any parts you create. dimensions
■ Creating features that
In this tutorial, you create a saddle bracket in two phases. remain fixed relative
to work planes and
work axes
First, you create all of the features of the part in rough form.
■ Refining features
Then, you refine these features to complete the part. ■ Adjusting features
according to design
changes
77
Key Terms
Term Definition
base feature The first feature you create. As the basic element of your part, it should represent
its simplest shape, not every detail. All geometry you create for a part depends on
the base feature.
consumed sketch A sketch that is used in a feature. An example is a profile sketch that is extruded.
The sketch is consumed by the feature.
Desktop Browser Graphical representation of features that comprise a part or drawing views. With
Part or Assembly tab selected, parts may be edited, including changing dimen-
sions, and adding or deleting constraints.
placed features Well-defined mechanical shapes that do not require sketches, such as holes,
chamfers, and fillets. They are constrained to the feature on which they are
placed, and they are geometrically dependent.
sketch plane A temporary drawing surface that corresponds to a real plane on a feature. It is an
infinite plane with both X and Y axes on which you sketch or place a feature.
sketched features A three-dimensional solid whose shape is defined by constrained sketches and
located parametrically on a part. Sketched features are extruded, revolved, or
swept.
work axis A parametric construction line created along the centerline of a cylindrical feature.
A work axis may be used as the axis of revolution for a revolved feature, to place a
work plane, locate new sketch geometry, and may be included in dimensions.
work features Work axes, work points, and work planes used to construct and position features
where there is no face on which to sketch or place a feature. Constrain or dimen-
sion to work features in order to maintain symmetry throughout updates.
work plane An infinite plane parametrically attached to a part on which to sketch. A work
plane may be included in a constraint scheme or dimensions.
work point A parametric work feature used to position a hole, center of an array, or other
point for which there is no other geometric reference.
■ Look at the whole part and decide how it can be broken down into simple
shapes.
■ Identify the most simple element to use as your base feature.
■ Decide in what order to create additional features.
■ Determine the methods you will use to create the features.
■ As you build individual features, review them and adjust your ideas about
how they should relate to one another.
■ As you adjust your strategy, you can revise the features you created earlier.
Early planning expresses your design in modular, simple terms. When changes
occur, as they often do in design work, you can easily accommodate them with
the Mechanical Desktop’s parametric capabilities.
As you study the part to determine the features you need and the order in
which to create them, also notice relationships and patterns of the shapes.
Some features may be symmetrical, but others may be built most easily from
simple shapes combined to form compound shapes.
The saddle bracket in the rough sketch has four distinct features: the saddle
itself, the mounting lugs, a boss, and strengthening ribs.
boss
rib
saddle
lug
Key Concepts
79
The part is symmetrical. Visualize two perpendicular centerlines, one along
the axis of the boss and another intersecting both lugs. As you create this part,
consider this symmetry as you constrain features.
As you build the saddle bracket, you learn to create features according to the
relationships among them. In this case, the base feature of the part is the
saddle and lugs. Because the remaining features attach to the saddle and lugs,
you create the main shape first. The next feature you create is the boss because
it rests directly on the saddle. Finally, you create the ribs because they attach
to both the saddle and the boss.
To begin, copy the saddle.dwg file. Your copy of the drawing opens with a
blank display.
TIP It is good practice to copy tutorial files so that you can always open the
original drawings. That way, any mistakes you make while you are learning will
not replace the master tutorial files. For more information about how to copy a
tutorial drawing file, see “Copying Tutorial Drawing Files” on page 34.
The assembly is named for the current file. When you create the first sketch
profile, a part is automatically named and numbered. Because the first thing
you create is a sketch, it is nested under the part. So, as you can see, these
objects are automatically created in a hierarchy.
The icons at the bottom of the Browser control toolbar display. In this exercise,
you can select the Part toolbar. As you gain experience, you will use a combi-
nation of icons and menu options. Click the lightning bolt icon to update
geometry after you make changes.
In this exercise, you create only one part, but if you wanted to continue creating
parts and placing them into an assembly, they would be represented as indi-
vidual parts. Periodically, you will look at the Browser to see how the individual
objects you create are represented. When you gain experience using the
Mechanical Desktop, the Browser becomes a convenient way to manage data.
In the Browser, you can show as much or as little detail as you wish. You can
collapse levels if you want. When there is more information, a plus sign is
shown beside an object. You click the plus sign to reveal more levels.
You can drag the Browser to a convenient location on your screen. If you
wish, click a corner and pull diagonally to resize the Browser.
saddle arch
Next, you convert the sketch to a base feature and modify its shape by inter-
secting it with a second feature. Intersecting the base feature is analogous to
cutting away material that does not belong.
When you create these features, you position them symmetrically using
construction aids called a work axis and a work plane. Like other features,
you include work features in your constraint scheme to maintain symmetry
throughout future updates to the part.
work plane
work axis
TIP Use the cursor crosshairs to align the top horizontal lines (that is, make
them collinear).
NOTE Throughout this tutorial, the number of constraints your sketch needs
might differ from the example, depending on how precisely you drew the sketch.
You will learn how to modify constraints so that your sketch will solve correctly.
In the example, all sketch elements have constraints except the arc. The lines
show vertical (V) or horizontal (H) constraints and the two top horizontal
lines show a collinear (C) constraint.
Now that the basic sketch shape is defined, you need to add dimensions to
stabilize its size. Start with its longest lengths to minimize the risk of distorting
the shape as it resizes.
2 1
2 To center the arc, create a horizontal dimension from the center of the arc to
the left edge of the sketch.
Select first object: Specify the left edge (1)
Select second object or place dimension: Specify the arc (2)
Specify dimension placement: Place the dimension (3)
Undo/Hor/Ver/Align/Par/aNgle/Ord/Diameter/pLace/Dimension value
<current>: Enter .74
3
5
4 2
1 2
3
4
Now that your profile sketch is fully constrained, create a solid feature.
3 Refer to the Desktop Browser, which shows you have added an extrusion feature
to the base feature and that the extrusion was blind, that is, a specific depth.
Click the plus sign beside the extrusion feature to reveal a sketch icon. This
display tells you that the extrusion feature originated with the sketch. If you
complete a feature and then need to change its size or shape, you can edit it
and update the part to reflect the change.
TIP Double-click the plus sign beside the sketch icon to display the original
sketch, or right-click to show the menu and then choose Edit. Modify dimensions,
if needed, and then choose Part ➤ Update to resize the part with changed values.
2 Examine the work axis. After you specify the cylindrical face, the work axis
is shown as a line along the center of the arc.
work axis
TIP If the work axis is not shown, the work axis display is probably turned off.
To turn the display on, choose Part ➤ Visibility ➤ Work Axis ➤ On.
The next work feature forms the second axis of symmetry. This plane is parallel
to the front face and intersects both lugs. You specify the work plane position
as parallel to the selected face and offset one half the depth of the part.
work plane
Parameter d6 is the dimension that specifies the width of the feature. Because
the dimension parameters for your sketch may differ, make note of the param-
eter for your part.
Select object: Press ENTER
Next, create a parametric work plane in the center of the part, parallel to the
front surface, and offset half the part width.
3 Choose Part ➤ Work Features ➤ Work Plane.
In the Work Plane Feature dialog box, specify:
1st Modifier: Planar Parallel
2nd Modifier: Offset
Offset: Enter d6/2 (substitute your parameter value for d6)
Create Sketch Plane: Clear checkbox and choose OK to continue the command
NOTE By default, the Create Sketch Plane option of the Work Plane Feature
dialog box is checked. This setting automatically places the sketch plane (the
location on which the next feature will be sketched or placed) on the work plane.
For this exercise, you specify a sketch plane on a surface of the feature, not the
work plane.
work plane
In the next exercise, the bottom face of the base feature is the sketch plane. On
this face, you sketch a profile to extrude through the part. Once placed, the
sketch and subsequent features remain attached to the base feature, regardless
of changes you make later.
1, 2
The UCS icon in the viewports is updated to reflect changes in the sketch plane
orientation. The sketch plane is always coincident with the UCS XY plane.
2 Choose Part ➤ Sketch ➤ Profile. You create a profile from the sketch.
Select the sketch you just created. The Mechanical Desktop analyzes the
sketch, redraws it, and reports:
Solved under constrained sketch requiring 10 dimensions/constraints.
3 Check the Desktop Browser. You can see that the sketch you just created is
represented as Sketch2.
Because you have not yet extruded the profile, it is not yet consumed by a
feature. This status is indicated in the Browser by aligning Sketch2 at the
same level in the hierarchy as ExtrusionBlind1.
Because you added this feature to the base feature, you need to constrain
both its shape and size, and then constrain it to the existing part.
In the Add Constraint dialog box, display constraint symbols and set tangencies.
Constraint Symbols: Display
Constraints: Tangent, then Apply
Add tangent constraints until your part resembles the illustration. Press ENTER
to redisplay the dialog box.
2 Add radial constraints to cause opposing arcs to have equal radii.
Constraints: Radius, Apply, and then select the top and bottom arcs
Radial constraints make the arcs the same size and maintain the symmetry
needed between the sides of the bracket. Fewer dimensions are needed because
one parametric dimension solves two degrees of freedom by specifying the size
of two arcs.
Select first arc or circle: Select the arc at the top of the sketch (1)
Select second arc or circle: Select the arc at the bottom of the sketch (2)
4
3
2
Now add radial constraints to the left and right arcs to make them equal in size.
Select first arc or circle: Select the arc at the right of the sketch (3)
Select second arc or circle: Select the arc at the left of the sketch (4)
If you sketched in a different order, your arcs and lines may be numbered
differently.
Select first arc or circle: Press ENTER and exit the dialog box
2
1
1
2
3 Create a horizontal dimension between the centers of the left and right arcs.
Select first object: Specify the left arc center (1)
Select second object or place dimension: Specify the right arc center (2)
Specify dimension placement: Place the dimension (3)
Undo/Hor/Ver/Align/Par/aNgle/Ord/Diameter/pLace/Enter Dimension value
<current>: Press ENTER
4
5
4 Dimension the distance between the centers of the top and left arcs.
Select first object: Specify the left arc center (1)
Select second object or place dimension: Specify the top arc center (4)
Specify dimension placement: Create a horizontal dimension (5)
Undo/Hor/Ver/Align/Par/aNgle/Ord/Diameter/pLace/Enter Dimension value
<current>: Press ENTER
Select first object: Press ENTER
■ The left and right arcs of the sketch form the lugs for the saddle bracket.
The arc centers must lie on the work plane.
■ The top and bottom arcs of the sketch form the base for the boss, in the
exact center of the part. The centers of both top and bottom arcs are coin-
cident with the intersection of the work plane and the work axis.
TIP To make selection of lines and arcs easier, use transparent ZOOM. You can
temporarily interrupt a command in progress to zoom in or out. At the Command
prompt, enter ‘z and select the area of the sketch you want to magnify. You can
continue the active command.
2 Make the center of the left arc lie on the work plane.
Specify point to project (use snap mode): Enter cen of the specified arc center (1)
Select line, circle, arc, ellipse, or spline: Specify the work plane (2)
5 Next, make the center of the bottom arc concentric with the center of the top
arc.
In the Add Constraint dialog box, specify:
Constraints: Select Concentric and choose Apply to continue the command
Select first arc, circle, or ellipse: Specify the top arc (1)
Select second arc, circle, or ellipse: Specify the bottom arc (2)
Select first arc, circle, or ellipse: Press ENTER and exit the dialog box
1
2
Now you need to create an equation between the overall dimension and the
dimension that centers the feature on the part and maintains symmetry rel-
ative to the work axis. Display dimensions as parameters, and then use them
as variables in the parametric equation.
2 Choose Part ➤ Sketch ➤ Dimensions As Parameters.
NOTE Your dimension parameter numbers may differ from those shown in
the illustration.
Make the dimension between the top and left arcs half of the horizontal dis-
tance between the left and right arcs.
Now that the profile sketch is completely constrained and dimensioned, you
can use it to change the shape of the base feature.
Extruding a Profile
To create the rough shape of the saddle bracket, you extrude the profile sketch
up and completely through the base feature. Because the sketch you extrude
changes the shape of the base feature, the intersection shares the volume of
both.
You create a solid feature by extruding the profile through to the boundary
of the base feature, retaining the common volume.
■ You can extrude a circle. This option is fastest and probably what you
would select if building this part in production.
■ You can revolve a rectangle about a central axis. This option is used here
to teach you how the revolving method works.
When you finish with the exercise, your model will look like this.
work plane
work axis
A work axis passes vertically through the part. If the work axis is not displayed,
choose Part ➤ Visibility ➤ Work Axis ➤ On.
The work plane is no longer visible. In the left viewport, you see a front view
of the part as you look directly at the sketch plane.
2
1
3
4
■ Make the bottom line of the sketch collinear with the bottom of the part.
■ Make the right side of the rectangle collinear with the vertical work axis
so it can serve as the axis of revolution of the feature.
1
2
3
4
Next, create the cylinder by revolving the sketch about the work axis.
TIP You can revolve a sketch about objects other than a work axis. For example,
you can also revolve a sketch about part edges or about a line in the profile sketch.
9 Choose Part ➤ Sketched Features ➤ Revolve.
In the Revolution Feature dialog box, specify the type, termination, and
angle of revolution. Because the cylinder attaches to the part, define the
revolution to be a full (360 degrees) termination that joins to the part.
Operation: Join
Termination: Full, then choose OK to continue the command
Select revolution axis: Specify the axis (1)
After specifying the type of revolution and the axis of rotation, the cylinder
is created on your model.
strengthening rib
4 Now that you have specified the sketch plane, hide the work plane until you
need it again.
5 Use PLINE to sketch a trapezoid on the front of the part.
TIP To show all constraint symbols while you add new ones, select Display
before you choose Apply.
The sketch extends so that the bottom of the sketch lies on the bottom of the
part.
Select first line: Press ENTER and exit the dialog box
3 Dimension the distance between the top of the sketch and the top of the
part, and the angle between the ribs.
Select first object: Specify the line (1)
Select second object or place dimension: Specify the line (2)
Specify dimension placement: Place the dimension (3)
Undo/Hor/Ver/Align/Par/Enter Dimension value <current>: Enter .08
Select first object: Specify the line (4)
Select second object or place dimension: Specify the line (5)
Specify dimension placement: Place the dimension (6)
Undo/Enter Dimension value <current>: Enter 40
1
4 5
3
2
1
4 5
6
3
1
To extrude a circle
1 In the left viewport, use CIRCLE to draw the circle.
2
1
6 Extrude the feature, specifying a cut operation with a mid plane termination.
In the Extrusion Feature dialog box, specify:
Operation: Cut
Termination: Mid Plane
Distance: Enter .66 and choose OK
In the isometric view, the arc shape is cut through the saddle bracket.
To complete the body of the bracket, you need a placed feature on each of
the lugs for mounting holes.
To complete the boss, all that remains is to create a counterbored hole through
the cylinder. You create the hole as a placed feature on the same vertical work
axis as the cylinder.
Keep the right viewport active and specify a counterbored hole drilled
through the part, concentric with the cylinder.
TIP The ribs are highlighted when you select the correct feature icon.
Now, update the part to reflect the new dimension values on the sketch.