Parametric Modeling and Drafting of

Knuckle joint By API

Abstract: - Mechanical joint which are used to connect more than one
mechanical component it may be temporary and permanent. Mechanical joint allow
moment between two components of the machine in one degree of freedom, and
restrict another moment. For the better use of joint design and manufacturing is very
important term. In this paper design of Knuckle joint is consider in user-friendly way;
out of the traditional design process. Now a day, many modeling software is
available in market. 3D modeling, assembly and 2D drawing can be easily generated
in parametric and non-parametric software. Actually mechanical design and drafting
process is very time consuming and it required software as well as technical
knowledge. By using API technique this task is stress free and process is very
quickly. In this paper design is interface of commercially available software like Solid-
works and VB Basic for 3D modeling, assembly modeling and drafting purpose.

Keywords: - Mechanical joint, Parametric modeling, API for mechanical design, VB

Basic.

1. Introduction

The knuckle joint is use for connect to rods which are under the tensile force when
there is required of small amount of flexibility and angular displacement is necessary.
Knuckle joint is use for connect valve rod, eccentric rod, leaver, tie road joint. This
mechanical joint has mainly 3 components like eye, fork and pin. 3d modeling,
assembly and 2d drawing are made by API (Application user interface) technique
consider in this paper. This technique creates by VB Basic object oriented language
and solid-works interface. This integration can be considered in Automation of 3D
modeling and third party user interface.

.
Figure 1 Knuckle joint component
In general 3D modeling is the field of CAD means one parent relation can change all
child relation. For example In the case of Knuckle joint the nominal dimension is rod
dimension as the size of all elements is change with the change of rod dimension.

Figure 2 Knuckle Joint Assembly

Notation used

D = diameter of each rod (mm)

D1 = enlarged diameter of each rod (mm)

d = diameter of knuckle pin (mm)

dₒ = outside diameter of eye of fork (mm)

a = thickness of each eye of fork (mm)

b= thickness of eye end of rod B (mm)

d1= diameter of pin head (mm)

The Parent child relation can be given by,

D1 = 1.1*D, d= D, dₒ = 2*d, a = 0.75*D, b = 1.25*D, d 1 = 1.5*d

User can specify a value for D and corresponding knuckle joint design can be
generated using parametric relation and object oriented language.

2. STEP FOR MODELLING AUTOMATION

Solid works is a good and mostly used modeling generation tool to validate
parametric design of the component. Solid works make exact copy of all dimension
and geometric data of the model in a common text data format. This data can be
modified by using backhand programing. GUI (graphical user interface) can directly
modify the model, assembly and 2D drawing can compile according to user input in
user-dashboard. Here Microsoft visual Basic for application and Solid-works are
combined by solid-works macro tool which perform as an interfacing media. Macro
tool capture data and it convert data into interface program.

Step-1:- Generate a standard model

A solid model of knuckle joint parts assembly and drawing with proper dimension
and constrain have been generated as shown in bellow fig. This all parts model can
be called as standard model and it are the model that has to very with dimension is
entered in user-dashboard. In this paper I can show one example of eye end.

Figure 3 Eye end

Figure 4 Drawing of eye end

Step-2:- Generate parametric relation in solid-works

For the modification of model make a parametric relation of all dimensions in solid-
works. This relation can change the model correspond to the global dimension which
can be added by user. It is then saved to operating system. This is done by using
“Equation” tool from solid-works.
 Figure 5 Parametric Equation

This type of relation can be generate for all the part model in solid-works. It will
regenerate part model according to this parametric relation.

Step-3:- Create user-form and programing for Solid-works API

User form can be generated in Microsoft visual basic which called as third party user
form. Input variable can be entered in this user-form which data are representing as
a global variable and regenerate all the parametric model assembly and 2D drawing.
User form data can comply on the basis of back hand program which can be created
by developer.

Figure 6 User dashboard

Step-4:- Modeling and regenerating Model, Assembly and 2D drawing

Here parent dimension is rod dimension which can be change according to our
requirement. Let us take our new rod diameter as 600mm than the new value will
calculate automatically for all other dimensions.

The final model, assembly and 2D drawing will received with new dimension as
shown in fig.

Figure 7 Flow chart

Figure 8 Final Model after modification

 Figure 9 Final drawing after modification

3. Conclusion

About mention step of automation technique of creating model from VB Basic is

easier process and simple than other interface. This method is very less time
consuming than common method. By using this method all people can be generate
knuckle joint model and drawing file. In this API technique just run the program and
enter user define data and complied program and regenerate all component and
assembly and also drawing sheet which can be used as a manufactured drawing.