Page 1 AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 User’s Guide January 2008...
Page 2 © 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by Autodesk, Inc., this publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose. Certain materials included in this publication are reprinted with the permission of the copyright holder.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
......7 Autodesk Inventor link ......8 2D Design Productivity .
Page 4 Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical ....13 Command Summary ......13 Design and Annotation Tools .
Page 5 Using Libraries to Insert Parts ....101 Configuring Snap Settings ..... 102 Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines) .
Page 6 Creating Screw Templates ..... 178 Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit ... 186 Working with Power View .
Page 7 Placing Shaft Supports ..... . . 264 Specifying Loads on Shafts ..... 265 Calculating and Inserting Results .
Page 8 ..... 359 Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support ... . . 361 Key Terms .
Page 9: Overview
Overview ® Part I provides information for getting started with your AutoCAD Mechanical software. It includes an overview of the product capabilities, a summary of commands with their toolbuttons and descriptions, and a summary of new and revised commands in this release of AutoCAD Mechanical.
Page 11: About Autocad Mechanical
About AutoCAD Mechanical ® This chapter provides information about the AutoCAD Mechanical software application. It describes the software package, the basic design features in the software, and the methods for accessing commands. A brief overview of the Help, along with information about where to find resources for product learning, training, and support are included.
Page 12: Starting Autocad Mechanical
Starting AutoCAD Mechanical You can start AutoCAD Mechanical by using one of the following procedures: Click Start on the task bar, and then choose Programs. Select Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical 2008. On the desktop, double-click the AutoCAD Mechanical icon:...
Page 13: Product Support And Training Resources
Authorized Training Center (ATC ) with hands-on, instructor-led classes to help you get the most from your Autodesk products. Enhance your productivity with proven training from over 1,400 ATC sites in more than 75 countries. For more information about Autodesk Authorized Training Centers, contact atc.program@autodesk.com or visit the online ATC locator at...
Page 14: Associative Design And Detailing
The mechanical structure tools include: A browser interface for structured 2D mechanical design, where parts, assemblies, views, and folders containing associated data are organized, structured, and managed. Standard parts are automatically organized and managed in the browser. All components are accessible through the browser for many functions, and filters can be set to control the type and level of detail of information displayed.
Page 15: External References For Mechanical Structure
External References for Mechanical Structure External References for mechanical structure provides for the components of a drawing to be inserted as an external reference to multiple drawings. Conversely, multiple drawings can be attached as external references to a single drawing. The following are the key benefits of external references for mechanical structure: Increased efficiency by allowing insertion of structure components from...
Page 16: Autodesk Inventor Link
® Autodesk Inventor link redefines the meaning of 3D to 2D interoperability. Use the functionality to link to Autodesk Inventor parts and assemblies to: Access and associatively document native 3D part models without the presence of Autodesk Inventor. Visualize part models, examine and use part properties such as material, name, and number.
Page 17: Engineering Calculations
Linear/symmetric stretch is used to modify dimensioned geometry by changing the dimension value. Predefined hatch patterns are applicable in two picks from toolbars and menus. Engineering Calculations The automatic engineering calculations available in AutoCAD Mechanical ensure proper function in mechanical designs. The 2D FEA feature determines the resistance capability of an object put under a static load and analyzes design integrity under various loads.
Page 18: Intelligent Production Drawing And Detailing
The cam generator creates cam plates and cylindrical cams given input border conditions. You can calculate and display velocity, acceleration, and the cam curve path. You can couple driven elements to the cam and create NC data through the curve on the path. Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing A number of commands are available in AutoCAD Mechanical that automate the process to create balloons and bills of material.
Page 19: Annotations
One command quickly cleans up and arranges dimensions in 2D drawings. One system setting controls the scale for drawing symbols in all views. Commands are available for align, break, insert, and join to easily dimension a drawing. Annotations Hole notes can be inserted for standard holes. Commands are available to create standards-based surface texture symbols, geometric dimensioning and tolerances, targets, and weld symbols.
Page 20: Standard Parts Tools
Autodesk Streamline functionality includes the following: Members can view and interact with the 3D data set published on Autodesk Streamline, without waiting for the data to download. Using Streamline, many people can share design information and collaborate online.
Page 21: Chapter 2 Commands In Autocad Mechanical
Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical ® This chapter provides a list of the commands available in AutoCAD Mechanical, along with a brief description of the function of each command and the associated toolbutton. Command Summary The following is a list of the AutoCAD Mechanical commands, a brief description of each, and the associated toolbutton.
Page 22 Toolbut- Command Name Description AM2DHIDEDIT Edits existing unstructured hide situations. AMADJRINGS2D Creates an adjusting ring on a shaft. AMANALYSEDWG Creates a file in which the current layer struc- ture of the drawing is written. AMANNOTE Creates, deletes, adds, and moves annotations associated with drawing views.
Page 23 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMBELL2D Selects, calculates, and inserts Belleville spring washers, and inserts spring specification tables in drawings. AMBHOLE2D Creates a standard related blind hole. AMBOM Creates a formatted BOM database containing a list of attributes, parts lists with item num- bers, and lists of like items in a BOM.
Page 24 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMCENCRCORNER Draws a centerline cross in a corner. AMCENCRFULLCIRCLE Draws a centerline cross on a circle. AMCENCRHOLE Draws a centerline cross with a hole. AMCENCRINHOLE Draws a centerline cross in a hole. AMCENCROSS Draws a centerline cross. AMCENCRPLATE Draws centerline cross on a plate.
Page 25 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMCHAINDRAW Draws chain or belt links. AMCHAINLENGTHCAL Determines the tangent definition between sprockets or pulleys. AMCHAM2D Bevels the edges of objects. AMCHAM2D_DIM create dimensions for chamfers. AMCHECKDIM Checks for, highlights, and edits dimensions with overridden text. AMCLEVISPIN2D Creates a clevis pin.
Page 26 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMCONSTSWI Switches construction lines between lines and rays. AMCONTIN Displays the inner contour of an object. AMCONTOUT Displays the outer contour of an object. AMCONTRACE Traces all points of a contour. AMCONVDWG Converts the current drawing. AMCOPYLG Copies a user specified layer group or selected geometry into a new layer group.
Page 27 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMCYLPIN2D Creates a cylindrical pin. AMDATUMID Creates datum identifier symbols. AMDATUMTGT Creates datum target symbols. AMDEFLINE Calculates the deflection line or moment line of an object that has various force elements acting on it. AMDELVIEW Deletes views and its dependent views. AMDETAIL Creates associative and scaled detail frames of selected parts of a drawing.
Page 28 AMDRBUSH2D Creates a single drill bushing. AMDRBUSHHOLE2D Creates a drill bushing and the corresponding hole. ® AMDWGVIEW Creates views of Autodesk Inventor linked models while in Drawing mode. AMEDGESYM Creates edge symbols. AMEDIT Edits balloons, parts lists, and symbols.
Page 29 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMEDITVIEW Edits views created in Drawing mode. AMEQUATEDIT Generates and organizes equations. AMERASEALLCL Erases all construction lines. AMERASECL Erases selected construction lines. AMEXPLODE Breaks a compound object in the mechanical structure environment into its component objects. AMEXT2D Designs, calculates, and inserts extension springs, and inserts spring specification tables...
Page 30 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMFILLET2D Rounds and fillets the edges of objects. AMFITSLIST Puts existing fits and their respective dimen- sion values into a list and inserts this fits list into your drawing. AMGROOVE2D Inserts a retaining ring/circlip with the appro- priate groove in a shaft.
Page 31 AMIVLINK Recreates the associative link between a .dwg file and an Autodesk Inventor assembly (.iam) or part (.ipt) document. AMIVPROJECT Selects an Autodesk Inventor Project (.ipj) file to use as the active project file for opening Autodesk Inventor assembly (.iam) files.
Page 32 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMLANGTEXT Displays and uses text from the Language Converter. AMLAYER Manages mechanical layers and layer defini- tions. AMLAYERGROUP Manages layer groups in a drawing. AMLAYINVO Switches invisible lines on or off. AMLAYMOVE Moves lines to another layer. AMLAYMOVEPL Moves lines to parts layers.
Page 33 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMLAYVISENH Specifies the layer group setting during a working session. AMLAYVPO Switches viewports on or off. AMLGMOVE Moves elements in a selection set to a specific layer group. AMLIBRARY Displays the Library dialog box. AMLISTVIEW Lists information about a selected view while in Drawing mode.
Page 34 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMMIGRATEBB Converts infopoints, position numbers, and parts lists (on a drawing) from Genius 13/Ge- nius 14 to AutoCAD Mechanical 6 format. AMMIGRATESYM Converts all symbols from Genius 13/14 to AutoCAD Mechanical 6 format. AMMODE Switches between model and drawing modes. AMMOVEDIM Moves dimensions on drawings while main- taining their association to the drawing view...
Page 35 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMPARTREF Creates part references. AMPARTREFEDIT Edits part reference data. AMPIN2D Creates cylindrical pins, cotter pins, taper pins, and grooved drive studs. AMPLBEAR2D Inserts a plain bearing on a shaft or in a housing. AMPLOTDATE Inserts the current date in the lower right corner of the title block.
Page 36 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMPOWERDIM_ANG Creates an angular dimension showing the angle between three points or the angle be- tween two lines, or the angle an arc subtends on its center. AMPOWERDIM_ARCLEN Creates an create an arc length dimension for arcs.
Page 37 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMPOWERDIM_VER Creates vertical linear dimensions. AMPOWEREDIT Starts the command with which the selected object was created to edit the object. AMPOWERERASE Deletes selected objects. AMPOWERRECALL Starts the command with which the selected object was created, to create a new object. AMPOWERSNAP Sets object snap modes, polar snap, and filters for object snaps.
Page 38 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMPSNAP4 Sets user-defined snap settings on tab 4. AMPSNAPCEN Snaps the rectangle center. AMPSNAPFILTERO Switches the entity filter on or off. AMPSNAPMID Snaps to the middle of two points. AMPSNAPREF Snaps to a reference point. AMPSNAPREL Snaps to a relative point.
Page 39 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMREFCOPY Copies objects from other blocks to the REFEDIT working set. AMREFDIM Creates reference dimensions between the part edges created in Model mode and lines, arcs, circles, ellipses created in Drawing mode. AMRESCALE Rescales dimensions and symbols in model and layout.
Page 40 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMSCAREA Creates a scale area (an area that has a scale that is different to model space scale) in model space. AMSCATALOG Opens the structure catalog dialog box, which gives you the ability to insert structure compo- nents to the current drawing as external refer- ences and manage them.
Page 41 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMSCREWMACRO2D Opens the Screw Assembly Templates dialog box. AMSCRIPT Generates scripts. AMSEALRING2D Creates a sealing ring for use under a plug. AMSEALS2D Inserts a seal or O-ring with the appropriate groove in a shaft. AMSECTIONLINE Creates cutting plane lines. AMSEDIT Directly manipulates the contents of an active folder or view in the mechanical structure en-...
Page 42 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMSHAFTKEY2D Inserts a parallel or woodruff key with the ap- propriate keyseat in a shaft. AMSHAFTLNUT2D Creates a shaft lock nut including the lock washer and inserts both in a shaft. AMSHIDE Creates and edits hide situations in the me- chanical structure environment.
Page 43 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMSNEW Creates and manages new folders, compo- nents, and annotation views in the mechanical structure environment. AMSPROCKET Draws sprockets or pulleys. AMSPURGE Removes unused structure objects, including folders, components, views, and annotation views in the mechanical structure environ- ment.
Page 44 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMSTYLESTAND Changes the text style to standard. AMSTYLETXT Changes the text style to TXT. AMSURFSYM Creates surface texture symbols. AMSYMLEADER Appends or removes a leader. AMSYMLINE Draws symmetrical lines. AMTAPBHOLE2D Creates a standard related tapped blind hole. AMTAPETHREAD2D Creates a taper hole with an external thread.
Page 45 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMTEXT3 Inserts mtext with 3.5 mm height. AMTEXT5 Inserts mtext with 5 mm height. See Appendix A, Assistance Toolbar - Text for more text commands. AMTEXT7 Inserts mtext with 7 mm height. AMTEXTCENT Centers text horizontally and vertically. AMTEXTHORIZ Centers text centered horizontally around the selected point.
Page 46 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMTITLE Inserts a title block and a drawing border. AMTOR2D Designs, calculates, and inserts torsion springs, and inserts spring specification tables in drawings. AMTRCONT Traces contours on construction lines. AMTSLOT2D Creates a standard related through slot. AMUBHOLE2D Creates a user-defined blind hole.
Page 47 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMUTSLOT2D Creates a user-defined slot. AMVARIODB Connects to a database. AMVIEWALL Zooms the view according to the limits. AMVIEWCEN Zooms the center of the viewports. AMVIEWLL Zooms the predefined lower-left quarter of the drawing. AMVIEWLR Zooms the predefined lower-right quarter of the drawing.
Page 48 Toolbut- Command Name Description AMWELDSYM Creates a welding symbol. AMXREFSET Controls the representation of xrefs. AMZIGZAGLINE Draws zigzag lines. AMZOOMVP Displays a selected area in another viewport. SAVEAS Saves a file into a different file format for use in more than one version of AutoCAD Mechan- ical.
Page 49: Design And Annotation Tools
Design and Annotation Tools ® The tutorials in this section teach you how to use the tools in AutoCAD Mechanical for design, annotation, and productivity. The lessons include step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations. You learn how to work with templates and layers, mechanical structure, model space and layouts, dimensions, steel shapes, bills of material (BOMs) and parts lists.
Page 51: Chapter 3 Working With Templates
Working with Templates In this tutorial, you learn about the predefined templates and how to create your own ® user-defined templates in AutoCAD Mechanical. Key Terms Term Definition base layer A layer made up of working layers and standard parts layers. Base layers are repeated in every layer group.
Page 52: Working With Templates
Setting Mechanical Options In the Options dialog box, you can specify general settings for AutoCAD ® ® ® Mechanical, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop , and AutoCAD . Tabs that affect settings for either Mechanical Desktop or AutoCAD Mechanical, or both, have an AM prefix.
Page 53 To set mechanical options 1 Start the Mechanical Options command. On the command line, enter AMOPTIONS. 2 In the Options dialog box, AM:Structure tab, clear the Enable Structure check box, and then choose Apply. 3 On the AM:Standards tab, specify: Standard: Metric Measurement:...
Page 54: Specifying Drawing Limits
Specifying Drawing Limits Specify the drawing limits according to size A0 (840 x 1188 mm). This limits your drawing space to the specified size. To specify the drawing limits 1 Start the Drawing Limits command. On the command line, enter LIMITS. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0.00,0.00>:...
Page 55: Using Templates
Click Save. 3 In the Template Description dialog box, specify: Tutorial Template Description: Metric Measurement: Click OK. 4 Close the drawing. Using Templates Use the previously created template to start a new drawing. Using Templates | 47...
Page 56: Setting Default Standards Templates
To open a template 1 Start the New command. On the command line, enter NEW. 2 In the Select template dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and then choose Open. Start the new drawing using the settings of the previously saved template. Setting Default Standards Templates Specify your template as the default template.
Page 57 3 In the Open dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and then choose Open. 4 In the Options dialog box, Click OK. The template my_own_template is used as the default standards template until you specify a different default template. NOTE The default standards template is used if a drawing does not contain any AutoCAD Mechanical configuration.
Page 59: Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure
Using Mechanical Structure ® In this tutorial, you learn how to use mechanical structure in AutoCAD Mechanical. You learn how to work with folders, components and component views. You also review the bill of materials, restructure components and resolve ghost components. You learn how to insert components from external files, edit in-place, localize external components and externalize local components.
Page 60: Working With Mechanical Structure
Term Definition component view A folder nested under a component that contains the geometry folder for a particular view of that component. definition A description of a folder, component, or view that AutoCAD Mechanical saves in the database, similar to a block definition. elemental geometry The graphical elements of a drawing that represent the shape and size of a part or assembly.
Page 61 The Mechanical Browser and structure tools are not displayed by default. To display them, you must switch to the structure workspace.First, you must create a new drawing and enable mechanical structure. To display the Mechanical Browser 1 On the command line, enter WORKSPACE and press ENTER. 2 Respond to the prompts as shown: Enter workspace option [setCurrent/SAveas/Edit/Rename/Delete/SEttings/?]:...
Page 62: Folders
Folders The basic element of mechanical structure is the folder. A folder is similar to a block in that it has a definition that can be instanced multiple times. Like a block, the definition is stored away in the nongraphical area of the drawing. Similar to blocks, any change you make to the folder definition is reflected in all instances of that folder.
Page 63 To grip edit the circle 1 Continue clicking the circle until you see the word CIRCLE in the tooltip window. 2 Select a grip, drag and then click. If a folder's contents are selectable, how do you select the folder? This is where the tooltip comes in.
Page 64 The Mechanical Browser shows a second instance of the folder (Folder1:2), implying that you copied the folder, not just the contents. In the next exercise you modify the contents of a folder to demonstrate that modifying one instance of a folder updates both. To edit an instance 1 Continue clicking a circle until you see the word CIRCLE in the tooltip window.
Page 65: Nesting Folders
3 Double-click a vacant area in the browser to reset activation. Nesting Folders Like blocks, folders can be nested. However, a folder cannot be nested within itself, which is about the only restriction on folder nesting. 1 Draw a small circle in the lower triangle in the second instance of the folder.
Page 66 Select objects for new folder: Select the circle and then the line, press ENTER Select the center of the circle. Specify base point: 5 Expand Folder1:1 and Folder 1:2 and verify that a nested folder was created. 6 In the browser, right-click Folder1:2 again and select Insert Folder. 7 Respond to the prompts as below: Enter Folder2, press ENTER Enter folder name to insert or [?] <?>:...
Page 67: Instance Vs. Occurrence
Notice that when you added the nested folders, both instances updated, as when you added the lines. Folder2:1 was created as a child of Folder1:2 because we chose New Folder from its context menu, and Folder2:2 was inserted into Folder1:2 for the same reason. Note that as with blocks, you were able to rotate the folder instance on insertion.
Page 68: Selection Modes
The subfolder you selected is now red, but the other subfolder is not. Notice that the same subfolder under Folder1:2 has changed color to red. This is because property overrides are instance-based. When you look at visibility you will understand why this matters. To apply visibility overrides 1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Visible.
Page 69 2 Turn on the Status Toggles S-LOCK, Status Toggles R-LOCK and Status Toggles Top Down/Bottom up options. Button Function BTM-UP/TOP-DN Switches the structure selection order between bottom-up and top-down. R-LOCK Switches the Reference Lock on and off. When the Reference Lock is on, you cannot select entities in an external folder or view (more on this later).
Page 70: Components And Component Views
To select items when S-LOCK is on 1 Press ESC to clear any preselection. 2 In the browser, double-click Folder1:1 to activate it. 3 Click the S-LOCK button and latch it down to turn on the selection lock. 4 Click one of the circles in Folder1:2. Note that the circle is no longer selectable.
Page 71 2 Draw a second rectangle, above the first, having the same width (the top view). 3 Right-click anywhere in the browser, and select New Component. 4 Respond to the prompts as shown: Press ENTER Enter new component name <COMP1>: Press ENTER Enter new view name <Top>: Select objects for new component view: Select the larger rectangle and press ENTER...
Page 72: Creating Assembly Components
Creating Assembly Components You now have two component views; Front and Top, and they are grouped together in the browser by COMP1:1. In the next exercise, you insert another instance of COMP1 and assemble the two components (parts) in an “L” shape. To insert a new instance of a component 1 In the browser, right-click a vacant area, and select Insert Component.
Page 73 3 In the browser, right-click COMP1:2 and select Insert Component View Top. 4 Respond to the prompts as shown: Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate 90/select next View]: Pick point 2, the lower left corner of the front view of COMP1:1 Press ENTER.
Page 74 2 Respond to the prompts as shown: Enter ASSY and press ENTER Enter new component name <COMP2>: Enter Front and press ENTER Enter new view name <Top>: Select objects for new component view: Select COMP1:1 (Front) and COMP1:2 (Top) and press ENTER To select a component view instead of the geometry, continue clicking the geometry until you see the component view name in the tooltip window.
Page 75: Modifying Assembly Components
Modifying Assembly Components As you work, you can continue to add views as needed. To demonstrate this, in the next exercise, you add a side view of this assembly. To add a component view 1 Draw a rectangle representing the side view of the first instance of COMP1. 2 In the browser, right-click ASSY:1 and select New Component View.
Page 76 Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle Specify base point: 6 In the browser, right-click COMP1:2 and select Insert Component View Side. 7 Respond to the prompts as shown: Enter Side, press ENTER Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate 90/select next View]: Enter R, press ENTER...
Page 77 In the next exercise, you add a component to the assembly to demonstrate the ability to add a component after the assembly is created. To add a component 1 Draw a circle on the top view of the assembly. 2 In the browser, right-click ASSY:1(Top) and select New Component.
Page 78 4 Draw a rectangle representing the projected view in the front view of the assembly 5 Right-click COMP2:1 and select New Component View. 6 Respond to the prompts as shown: Enter Side, press ENTER Enter new view name <Front>: Press ENTER Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Select objects for new component view: Select the rectangle, press ENTER...
Page 79: Using Folders With Component Views
7 In the browser, right-click COMP2:1 and select Insert Component View Side. 8 Respond to the prompts as shown: Enter Side, press ENTER Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Select objects for new component view: Select the rectangle, press ENTER Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate Pick the midpoint of the lower rectangle in the Side 90/select next View]:...
Page 80: Mechanical Browser Display Options
In the following example, a folder, Profile:1, was created to contain the upper-wheel profile. Profile:2 is another instance of this folder, created by mirroring Profile:1. Changing one profile automatically updates the other. The wheel component was created after the Profile folders. The design intent is captured and organized with these folders.
Page 81 To show the View Tree and Component Tree 1 Right-click the root node of the Mechanical Browser and select Browser Options. 2 In the View Tree section, select the Display Tree check box. 3 In the Component Tree section, clear the Component Views check box. 4 Click OK.
Page 82: Mechanical Browser And Boms
To show both default and expandable assembly views 1 Right-click the root node of the Mechanical Browser and select Browser Options. 2 In the Component Tree section, select the Component Views check box. 3 Click OK. In this view, the Mechanical Browser shows the hierarchy of components, component views as well as indicates which component owns a given component view.
Page 83 To insert a parts list 1 On the command line, enter AMBOM. 2 Respond to the prompts as shown: Press ENTER Specify BOM to create or set current [Main/?] <MAIN>: 3 In the BOM dialog box, click the plus sign (+) in the first column to expand ASSY.
Page 84: Browser Restructure And Ghost Components
By associating views through a single component, the BOM is managed accurately and semi-automatically. You can manage component attributes through the BOM editor or directly on the component from the Mechanical Browser. Browser Restructure and Ghost Components In the next exercise you restructure COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 to be parts of an assembly named SUB-ASSY.
Page 85 Select objects for new component view: Select COMP1:1 (Top) and COMP2:1 (Top), press ENTER To select a component view instead of the geometry, continue clicking the geometry until you see the component view name in the tooltip window. If you accidentally select the wrong view, you can cancel the selection by selecting the view again with the SHIFT key pressed.
Page 86 Note that the component SUB-ASSY is already created (1) and COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 are components of it. Also, the COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 continue to exist as components of ASSY1 (2), but the icon changed. This icon indicates that the component is a Ghost Component. Ghost components are containers of the views of components that are in an intermediate state of restructure.
Page 87 Select objects for new component view: Don t pick anything, press ENTER Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the large rectangle in the lower left of the drawing 7 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click SUB-ASSY:1 and select New Component View again.
Page 88 To resolve ghost components 1 In the Mechanical Browser, click the ghost component COMP1:1, press the CTRL key and click COMP2:1. Both components are selected. 2 Drag to SUB-ASSY1. The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed. 3 In the Source Component Views list, with the CTRL key pressed select COMP1:1(Front) and COMP2:1(Side).
Page 89 The ghost components disappear and COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 are now parts of SUB-ASSY1. In the final exercise of browser restructure, you restructure SUB-ASSY1 to be a subassembly of ASSY1. To restructure components 1 In the Mechanical Browser, drag SUB-ASSY:1 Front to ASSY:1 Front.
Page 90: External Reference Components
External Reference Components In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can save individual parts and subassemblies in external files and share them between designs. When a part is modified, the changes are propagated to all instances, ensuring that assembly drawings are always synchronized with their related part drawings. 82 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure...
Page 91: Inserting External Components
In this exercise, you insert a Gripper on to a Gripper Plate drawing. 1 Open the file Tut_Gripper_Plate.dwg in the tutorials folder. On the command line, enter OPEN. NOTE The path to the tutorials folder is; Windows Vista :C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows...
Page 92 Once one view of an xref component is inserted, the other views can be inserted as normal. To insert another view of the xref component 1 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click GRIPPER1 and select Insert from Xref Drawing Component View Top.
Page 93 Select objects: Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and in model space, click both xref views you inserted, press ENTER Specify first point of mirror line: Click anywhere on the vertical construction line Specify second point of mirror line: Click elsewhere on the vertical construction line Enter N and press ENTER Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>:...
Page 94 Specify second point of mirror line: Click elsewhere on the horizontal construction line Enter N and press ENTER Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Next, you assemble the components under an assembly, named GRIPPER ASSEMBLY. To assemble components 1 Right-click a vacant area in the Mechanical Browser, and select Component.
Page 95: Editing External Components In-Place
The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed. 3 In the Destination Components list, right-click a vacant area, and select Create New View. 4 Respond to the prompts as shown: Press ENTER Enter new view name <Top>: Select objects for new component view: Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and window select the larger rectangle and the four grippers connected to it and press ENTER Pick the intersection of the two construction lines...
Page 96 In the next exercise, you modify the gripper lever using the activate method. To edit an xref component in place 1 In the Mechanical Browser, double-click Gripper Front to activate it. Notice that locks appear on all instances of the gripper in the Mechanical Browser.
Page 97: Localizing And Externalizing
To verify if the changes were written back to the source file In the Mechanical Browser, right-click GRIPPER1 and select Open to Edit. The Gripper source file opens. Note that the component view Open Position has also been modified. How did this happen? Expand the component Lever1.
Page 98: Annotation Views
Annotation Views In some cases, externalizing to detail may be considered excessive. Mechanical Structure provides for creating Annotation Views, an associative view of a component purely for the purpose of detailing. Annotation views have no effect on the BOM. In the next exercise, you create an annotation view for the LEVER component. To create an annotation view 1 In the Mechanical Browser, expand one of the Gripper components and right-click LEVER:1...
Page 99 Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate Press ENTER 90/select next View/Done] <Done>: NOTE You can type AMSNEW at the command line to display the New dialog box to create annotation views. To annotate the geometry in the annotation view 1 Start the Automatic Dimension command.
Page 100: Associative Hide
4 Note the dimension of the chamfer section. To modify the chamfer in the assembly 1 Switch to model space. In the Mechanical Browser, expand GRIPPER:1, right-click LEVER:1 Front and select Zoom to. 2 Start the Power Edit command. On the command line, enter AMPOWEREDIT.
Page 101: Basics Of Amshide
In the next exercise, you create a hide situation between two folders. To create a hide situation 1 Open the file Tut_AMSHIDE.dwg in the tutorials folder at: Windows Vista: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The drawing contains three instances of a folder, where two overlap each other.
Page 102 5 If the dialog box is collapsed, as shown in the image above, click to expand it. 6 Click the Hide node on the tree in the dialog box. 7 Clear the Display hidden lines check box. The hidden lines are set to invisible. The change is immediately reflected in model space.
Page 103 c Click OK. 2 Select Test Hide, from below the Hide Situations node on the Mechanical Browser. Note that the entities involved in the hide are highlighted in model space. 3 Double-click Test Hide. The Hide situations dialog box is displayed. 4 In the Toolbar of the Hide Situation dialog box, click the button.
Page 104: Using Amshide In Assemblies
To open the sample files Open the file Tut_Robot_Arm.dwg in the tutorials folder. On the command line, enter OPEN. NOTE The path to the tutorials folder is; Windows Vista: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial...
Page 105 2 Respond to the prompts as shown: Select foreground objects: Continue clicking (1) until you see GRIPPER:2 (Front) in the tooltip Press ENTER Select foreground objects: 3 In the message box that is displayed, click No, Use all objects selected. 4 In the message box that is displayed, select OK.
Page 107: Chapter 5 Designing Levers
Designing Levers In this tutorial, you start with a lever inserted from the parts library, and then you refine the ® design using many of the design options available in AutoCAD Mechanical. You also create a drawing detail and add dimensions to it. Key Terms Term Definition...
Page 108: Extending Designs
Term Definition and is highlighted in red as soon as the required distance to the object being dimensioned is reached. library A feature that makes it possible to store parts such as blocks and drawings in a library. For every inserted part, an icon can be created.
Page 109: Using Libraries To Insert Parts
Using Libraries to Insert Parts Insert the required part from the library. To insert a drawing from the library 1 Start the Library. On the command line, enter AMLIBRARY. 2 Double-click the tut_lever.dwg file in the Library. 3 Respond to the prompt as follows: Specify any point in the drawing Specify insertion point: 4 Start the Zoom Window command.
Page 110: Configuring Snap Settings
Save your file. Before starting the design, define the object snaps that you will use in later operations. Configuring Snap Settings ® In addition to the AutoCAD snap, mechanical snap options like arc radial, arc tangent, and so forth are available. You also have four different snap settings, which can be configured separately for a quick switch to a different snap setting.
Page 111: Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines)
Settings 1: Endpoint, Intersection Settings 2: Endpoint, Center, Quadrant, Intersection, Parallel Settings 3: Perpendicular 3 After configuring the settings, activate Setting 1, by selecting Settings 1 from the Power Snap Configuration drop-down list and then click OK. Save your file. NOTE Within a command, the various object snap functions are also accessible.
Page 112 2 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the option next to the icon shown below and click OK. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify the intersection of line b and line c (1) Specify insertion point: Press ENTER Specify insertion point: 4 Next, draw two lines parallel to the vertical and horizontal lines of the construction line cross.
Page 113: Creating Additional C-Lines
8 Insert the second set of parallel lines, and respond to the prompts as follows: Select line b Select line, ray or xline: Specify insertion point or Distance (xx|xx|xx..) <3|9>: Enter 4.5|9.5, press ENTER Specify a point below line b (2) Specify point on side to offset: 9 Press ENTER.
Page 114 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the first point (1) Specify first point: Specify second point or Angle (xx|xx|xx..) <30|45|60>: Move the cursor over line a and back to the rectangle until the Parallel symbol appears, click (2) 5 Press ENTER to finish the command.
Page 115: Creating Contours And Applying Fillets
9 Press ENTER to end the command. All construction lines have been inserted, and the contour can be generated. Save your file. Creating Contours and Applying Fillets Now, you connect the two tangential circles with the right part of the rectangle, to build a filleted triangle.
Page 116 Specify next point (4) Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Enter A, press ENTER Specify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second Specify next point (5) pt/Undo/Width]: Specify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second Enter CL, press ENTER pt/Undo/Width]: Now, erase the C-Lines. You can erase all C-lines by calling one command. 3 Erase all C-Lines.
Page 117: Trimming Projecting Edges On Contours
Click OK. 8 Respond to the prompts as follows: (Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 1 Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension] <Setup>: Enter P, press ENTER Select a point on the polyline near the corner Select polyline: 9 Press ESC to cancel the command. The triangular contour is complete.
Page 118 To edit a contour 1 Activate Power Snap Setting 3 command. On the command line, enter AMPSNAP3. Next, insert the next contour. 2 Start the Line command. On the command line, enter LINE. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first point: Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click, and choose Intersection from the menu Select line a (1)
Page 119 Press ENTER Select Objects: Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or Select object to trim (3) [Project/Edge/Undo]: Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or Select object to trim (4) [Project/Edge/Undo]: Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or Press ENTER [Project/Edge/Undo]: 6 Zoom to the extents of the lever.
Page 120: Applying Hatch Patterns To Contours
Applying Hatch Patterns to Contours There are a number of predefined hatch patterns available in AutoCAD Mechanical. Choose one of the predefined hatching styles, and then specify a point within a contour to apply the hatching. To apply hatching to a contour 1 Start the Hatch command, using an angle of 45 degrees and 2.5 mm / 0.1 inch spacing.
Page 121 To dimension a contour 1 Start the Power Snap Setting 1 command. On the command line, enter AMPSNAP1. 2 Start the Power Dimensioning command. On the command line, enter AMPOWERDIM. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first extension line origin or [Linear/Angular/Radial/Baseline/Chain/Options/Update] <select object>: Select the first corner point of the lever opening (1)
Page 122: Creating And Dimensioning Detail Views
Click OK. 5 Press ENTER twice to finish the command. The lever looks like this: Save your file. Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views Now, define a detail of the upper part of the lever. 114 | Chapter 5 Designing Levers...
Page 123 To create a detail 1 Start the Detail command. On the command line, enter AMDETAIL. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Center of circle or [Rectangle/Object]: Click a point in the center of the area to be detailed (1) Specify radius or [Diameter]: Drag the radius to the appropriate size, click (2) 3 In the Detail dialog box, specify:...
Page 124 NOTE Some entities such as dimensions and symbols are automatically filtered out in the detail function. Now, add a dimension to the detail. 5 Start the Power Dimensioning command. On the command line, enter AMPOWERDIM. 6 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first extension line origin or [Linear/Angular/Radial/Baseline/Chain/Options/Update] <select Press ENTER...
Page 125 7 Select an appropriate position for the dimension. 8 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click the tolerances button to deactivate the tolerances. Click OK. 9 Press ENTER twice to finish the command. Now, your lever looks like this: Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views | 117...
Page 126 The Power Dimensioning command recognizes the different scale area. If you dimensioned the radius in the original drawing, the dimension value would be the same. The text height is also the same, as per the selected drafting standard. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Save your file.
Page 127: Working With Model Space And Layouts
Working with Model Space and Layouts ® In this tutorial, you work with layouts in AutoCAD Mechanical, to create scale areas, viewports, and detail views in model space. You learn how to freeze objects in viewports without affecting the model and other layouts. Key Terms Term Definition...
Page 128: Working With Model Space And Layouts
Term Definition layout The tabbed environment in which you create and design floating viewports to be plotted. Multiple layouts can be created for each drawing. Power Dimensioning A command useful for generating linear, radial, and diameter dimensions, which minimizes the number of the individual ac- tions while generating a dimension.
Page 129: Creating Scale Areas
To open a file Open the file tut_engine.dwg in the tutorials folder. On the command line, enter OPEN. NOTE The path to the folder containing tutorial files is; Windows Vista: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The drawing contains parts of a four-stroke engine.
Page 130 3 In the Scale Area dialog box, specify: Scale: 1:1 Click OK. Since you now have a defined scale area, you can automatically create a viewport. 122 | Chapter 6 Working with Model Space and Layouts...
Page 131: Creating Detail Views
To create a viewport automatically 1 Start the Viewport Auto Create command. On the command line, enter AMVPORTAUTO. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Enter layout name (<Return> for “Layout1”): Select target position (<Return> for current position): Place the viewport on the left, inside the drawing border Save your file.
Page 132 Define the enlargement area for the detail ... Select the center of the detail Center of circle or [Rectangle/Object]: Drag the radius to the desired size (4) Specify radius or [Diameter]: 3 In the Detail dialog box, specify the settings shown in the illustration. Click OK.
Page 133: Generating New Viewports
Save your file. Generating New Viewports Now, you create a viewport inside a layout. To create a viewport in the layout 1 Start the Viewport/Scale Area command. On the command line, enter AMVPORT. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first point or [Circle/Border/Object]: Select point 5 in the drawing Select point 6 in the drawing...
Page 134 The drawing is changed to model space so that you can define the midpoint. 4 Respond to the prompt: Select the endpoint of the centerline Select view center: 5 In the View dialog box, Click OK. Your drawing looks like this: 126 | Chapter 6 Working with Model Space and Layouts...
Page 135: Inserting Holes Within Viewports
Save your file. Inserting Holes Within Viewports To demonstrate the main advantage of working with layouts, insert a hole in the housing. When you make this change, it is immediately displayed in every view. Insert a user through hole in the previously created viewport. To insert a through hole 1 Activate the previously created viewport.
Page 136 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify insertion point: Hold down the SHIFT key and right-click, and then choose Midpoint Select the midpoint of the housing (1) Specify insertion point: _mid of Select the endpoint of the hole (2) Specify hole length: 128 | Chapter 6 Working with Model Space and Layouts...
Page 137 6 In the User Through Holes - Nominal Diameter dialog box, specify: Nominal Diameter: Choose Finish. The user through hole is inserted into your drawing. The drawing looks like this: Because of the associativity, the through hole created in the viewport also appears in the original view.
Page 138 To apply a dimension in the layout 1 Change to the layout. On the command line, enter PSPACE. 2 Start the Power Dimensioning command. On the command line, enter AMPOWERDIM. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first extension line origin or [Linear/Angular/Radial/Baseline/Chain/Options/Update] <select object>: Select the first edge of the hole (1)
Page 139: Creating Subassemblies In New Layouts
NOTE You can also dimension the hole in model space and turn off the layer of one specific viewport. In that case, the dimension text is correct only in the 1:1 viewport, and not in the detail view. Therefore, it is best that you dimension directly on the layout.
Page 140 Click OK. Create an associative view of a subassembly in layout 2. To create an associative view of a subassembly 1 Select the Layout 2 tab on the bottom of your drawing area. Layout 2 is displayed. 2 Start the Viewport/Scale Area command. On the command line, enter AMVPORT.
Page 141 The drawing is changed to model space. 5 Specify the point, as shown in the following drawing: 6 In the View dialog box, Click OK. In the new viewport, only the subassembly you specified is visible. AutoCAD Mechanical freezes the Base Layer Group. Your drawing looks like this: Creating Subassemblies in New Layouts | 133...
Page 142 Finish your detail drawing with text, remarks, annotations, and so on. NOTE When you plot the drawing, the red viewport frame is turned off automatically. If you have a plotter or printer driver installed, use the plot command, and preview the drawing. This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Page 143: Dimensioning
Dimensioning In this tutorial, you learn how to add dimensions to your drawing with the automatic ® dimensioning in AutoCAD Mechanical, change the dimensions with Power Commands, and insert a drawing border. Key Terms Term Definition baseline dimension A dimension that is aligned to extension lines and read from the bottom or right side of the drawing.
Page 144: Adding Dimensions To Drawings
To open a file Open the file tut_bushing.dwg in the tutorials folder. On the command line, enter OPEN. NOTE The path to the folder containing tutorial files is; Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The file contains a drawing of a bushing.
Page 145: Adding Multiple Dimensions Simultaneously
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file. Adding Multiple Dimensions Simultaneously Dimension the bushing using automatic dimensioning. To dimension a contour 1 Start Automatic Dimensioning. On the command line, enter AMAUTODIM. 2 In the Automatic Dimensioning dialog box, Parallel tab, specify: Type: Baseline Click OK.
Page 146 Select the complete bushing by creating a window around it Press ENTER Select objects [Block]: First extension line origin: Select the lower leftmost corner of the bushing (1) Specify dimension line location or [Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated/Placement options]: Drag the dimensioning downwards until it snaps in (highlighted red), and then click Starting point for next extension line: Press ENTER to end the command Generate the diameter dimensions using shaft dimensioning.
Page 147 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select objects [Block]: Select the complete bushing by creating a window around it Press ENTER Select objects [Block]: Select Centerline or new starting point: Select the centerline of the bushing (1) Specify dimension line location or [Placement options]: Drag the dimensioning to the right until it snaps in (highlighted red), and then click 4 Continue responding to the prompt:...
Page 148: Editing Dimensions With Power Commands
Press ENTER to end the command Your drawing looks like this. Save your file. Editing Dimensions with Power Commands Some dimensions in the drawing are not necessary. In the next step, you delete the dimensions that you don't need. To delete dimensions 1 Start Power Erase.
Page 149 Add a single dimension with a fit using Power Dimensioning. To add a dimension with a fit 1 Start Power Dimensioning. On the command line, enter AMPOWERDIM. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first extension line origin or [Linear/Angular/Radial/Baseline/Chain/Options/Update] <select object>: Select the first point (1)
Page 150 3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click , and then specify: Fit: Symbol: 4 Under Text, click , and then select the diameter symbol (upper left). Click OK. Apply angular dimensioning. To apply an angular dimension 1 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first extension line origin or [Linear/Angular/Radial/Baseline/Chain/Options/Update] <select object>:...
Page 151 2 Press ENTER twice to finish the command. Add a fit to the shaft dimensions using Multi Edit. To add a fit using Multi Edit 1 Start Multi Edit. On the command line, enter AMDIMMEDIT. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the dimensions 18 and 30 Select dimensions: Press ENTER...
Page 152: Breaking Dimension Lines
Breaking Dimension Lines The automatic dimensioning process created intersecting dimension lines. The drawing appearance can be improved by breaking these lines. To break dimension lines 1 Start the Break Dimension command. On the command line, enter AMDIMBREAK. 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select dimension or extension line to break <Multiple>: Press ENTER Select dimensions:...
Page 153 To insert a drawing border 1 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command. On the command line, enter AMTITLE. 2 In the Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box, specify: A4 (297x210mm) Paper Format: ISO Title Block A Title Block: Scale: Click OK. 3 Respond to the prompt as follows: Enter -150,0, press ENTER Specify insertion point:...
Page 154 Click OK. 5 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the complete bushing including dimensions Select Objects: Press ENTER Select Objects: Click Zoom Extents New location for objects: New location for objects: Place the bushing in the middle of the drawing border Your drawing looks like this: 146 | Chapter 7 Dimensioning...
Page 155: Inserting Fits Lists
Save your file. Inserting Fits Lists Insert a fits list. Fits lists describe all fits existing in a drawing. To insert a fits list 1 Start the Fits List command. On the command line, enter AMFITSLIST. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Fits lists [Update all/Order/New] <New>: Specify the upper right corner of the title block...
Page 156 Edit a dimension with a fit. The fits list is updated. To edit a dimension 1 In the drawing, double-click the diameter dimension (not the dimension line) 18 h7. 2 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, specify: Fit symbol: Click OK. 3 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose Yes.
Page 157 This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Inserting Fits Lists | 149...
Page 159: Working With 2D Hide And 2D Steel Shapes
Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes ® In this tutorial, you learn how to work with 2D steel shapes. The features in AutoCAD Mechanical for defining 2D hide situations have already been covered in Basics of AMSHIDE on page 93. However, the tutorial is intended for new users who may have to work with AM2DHIDE supported legacy drawings.
Page 160: Working With 2D Hide And 2D Steel Shapes
1 Enter AMBROWSER in the command prompt and press ENTER. 2 When prompted, enter ON and press ENTER. Opening the initial drawing To open a drawing 1 Open the file tut_steelshape.dwg in the Tutorial folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial 2 Zoom in to the chain drive on the right.
Page 161: Defining 2D Hide Situations
Defining 2D Hide Situations Define a 2D hide situation. You can define foreground and background contours and the settings for the representation of the hidden objects. To define a 2D hide situation 1 Start the Hide Invisible Edges command. On the command line, enter AM2DHIDE.
Page 162 NOTE As you can see, the parts of the sprockets that should be visible appear as hidden lines. This shows that the complete area inside the outer chain contour is defined as foreground. Define the 2D hide situation in a way that the chain has an inner contour. 4 Respond to the prompt as follows: Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>: Enter N, press ENTER...
Page 163 6 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select point inside a hole or select a loop to remove: Select a point inside the chain (1) The inner contour of the chain is displayed green. 7 Respond to the prompt as follows: Press ESC Select point inside a hole or select a loop to remove: 8 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, choose Preview.
Page 164: Inserting 2D Steel Shapes
9 Respond to the prompt as follows: Press ENTER Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>: The 2D hide situation is defined correctly, and you can proceed with your drawing. Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file.
Page 165 3 In the Select a Steel Shape dialog box, select Steel Shapes Square/Rectangular Hollow Section, and then select ISO 657/14-1982 (Rectangular) and Top View. 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select point P1 Specify insertion point: Press ENTER Specify rotation angle <0>: 5 In the ISO 657/14 - 1982 (Rectangular) - Size Selection dialog box, specify: 90x90x4.0 Select a Size:...
Page 166 Choose Finish. 6 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select point P2 Drag Size: The steel shape is inserted. Your drawing looks like this: Save the file. Modify the steel shapes using the Power Commands. 158 | Chapter 8 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes...
Page 167: Modifying Steel Shapes Using Power Commands
Modifying Steel Shapes Using Power Commands With the Power Commands, you can create different views of the steel shapes. You can copy, multiply, or edit the steel shapes. Insert the steel shapes in the top view of the assembly using Power View and Power Copy.
Page 168: Editing 2D Hide Situations
Save your file. Editing 2D Hide Situations The insertion of the steel shapes in the top view of the assembly created a 2D hide situation automatically. This 2D hide situation is not correct. Use the command AM2DHIDEDIT when mechanical structure is disabled. Edit the 2D hide situation.
Page 169 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the I-shaped girder Select objects for foreground: Select objects for foreground: Press SHIFT while you click the square hollow section on the left to deselect it Press ENTER Select objects for foreground: 5 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog box, Background tab, choose Select View.
Page 170: Copying And Moving 2D Hide Situations
6 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select objects for background: Select the square hollow section on the left Select objects for background: Select the square hollow section on the right Press ENTER Select objects for background: 7 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog box, click Preview. Your drawing looks like this: 8 Respond to the prompts: Press ENTER...
Page 171 3 Right-click, and then choose Paste. Respond to the prompt as follows: Select point P5 Specify insertion point: The girder assembly is copied to the new location. Your drawing looks like this. Save your file. Move the chain drive from the beginning of the chapter to the top view of the assembly.
Page 172 Define the 2D hide situation for the girder assembly and the chain drive. To define a 2D hide situation 1 Start the Hide Invisible Edges command. On the command line, enter AM2DHIDE. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the complete chain drive Select objects for foreground: Press ENTER Select objects for foreground:...
Page 173 Now, the girder assembly is hidden by the chain drive. Your drawing looks like this: Save your file. This is the end of this exercise. Copying and Moving 2D Hide Situations | 165...
Page 175: Working With Standard Parts
Working with Standard Parts ® In this tutorial, you learn to work with standard parts in AutoCAD Mechanical. You insert a screw connection, a hole, and a pin. You also edit the standard parts with power commands. Key Terms Term Definition background A contour that is covered by another contour or by objects that...
Page 176: Working With Standard Parts
Term Definition Power Command Summary term for Power Copy, Power Recall, Power Edit, Power Dimensioning, Power Erase and Power View. Power Copy A command that copies a drawing object to another position in the drawing. Power Copy produces an identical copy of the original object.
Page 177 To open a drawing 1 Open the file tut_std_pts.dwg in the Tutorial folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The drawing contains a motor with a gearbox. Some construction lines are inserted to help you work through the tutorial exercise.
Page 178: Inserting Screw Connections
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file. Inserting Screw Connections Insert a screw connection in the differential gear housing. To insert a screw connection 1 Start the Screw Connection command. On the command line, enter AMSCREWCON2D.
Page 179 3 In the Select a Screw dialog box, select Socket Head Types. Inserting Screw Connections | 171...
Page 180 4 Select ISO 4762 and Front View. 172 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 181 You are returned to the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box. 5 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, click the upper Holes button. Then select Through Cylindrical, and ISO 273 normal. 6 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, click the lower Holes button.
Page 182 Click Next. 8 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first point (1) Specify insertion point of first hole: Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: Specify second point (2) 174 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 183 9 In the Screw Assembly Representation - Front View dialog box, click Next. 10 In the Screw Assembly Grip Representation - Front View dialog box, click Finish. Inserting Screw Connections | 175...
Page 184: Copying Screw Connections With Power Copy
11 Respond to the prompts as follows: Drag Size: Drag the screw connection dynamically to size M4 x 16, and then click Enter 12 press ENTER Drag Size: The screw connection is inserted with a specified a screw length of 16 mm and a blind hole depth of 12 mm.
Page 185 To copy a screw connection 1 Start the Power Copy command. On the command line, enter AMPOWERCOPY. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the previously inserted screw Select object: Specify a point (1) Specify insertion point: Press ENTER Specify direction: The screw is copied to the specified location.
Page 186: Creating Screw Templates
Creating Screw Templates Create a screw template and store it for repeated use. This makes the insertion of identical or similar screw connections much faster. Before you create and insert the screw template, zoom to the cover plate. To zoom to a window 1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Page 187 To create a screw template 1 Start the Screw Connection command. On the command line, enter AMSCREWCON2D. 2 In the Screw Connection dialog box, click the Screws button. 3 In the Select a Screw dialog box, select Countersink Head Type. Creating Screw Templates | 179...
Page 188 4 Select ISO 10642, and Front View. 180 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 189 5 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, click the upper Holes button. Then select Countersinks, and ISO 7721. 6 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, click the lower Holes button. Then select Tapped Holes, Blind, and ISO 262. 7 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, click Back to store the screw template.
Page 190 8 In the Screw Assembly Templates dialog box, click the Save icon. Your screw connection is stored as a template and is added to the list. Click Next. 182 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 191 NOTE The screw template contains the combination of the used standard parts. It contains no sizes, like diameters or lengths. 9 In the Screw Connection dialog box, click the Pre-calculation icon. 10 In the Screw Diameter Estimation dialog box, specify: 10.9 Material Class: 1500...
Page 192 The Result field displays a nominal diameter size of M4. Click OK. 11 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, the precalculation routine has marked M4. Click Next. 184 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 193 12 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first point (1) Specify insertion point of first hole: Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: Specify second point (2) 13 In the Screw Assembly Location - Front View dialog box, click Next. 14 In the Screw Assembly Grip Representation - Front View dialog box, click Finish.
Page 194: Editing Screw Connections With Power Edit
Save your file. Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit Rather than use different editing commands for different objects, you can use only one command, Power Edit, for editing all objects in a drawing with built-in intelligence. When you use Power Edit on a screw connection, the whole assembly can be edited and is updated in your drawing with an automatic background update.
Page 195 4 On the Templates page, double-click the ISO 10642 screw template in the list, or select it and click the Load the template icon. The Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box contains the screw connection as it has been stored in the template. 5 Select the size M4, and then click Next.
Page 196 6 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Specify insertion point of first hole: Press ENTER Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: 7 In the Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box, Location representation, click Next. 8 In he Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box, Grip representation, click Finish.
Page 197: Working With Power View
Save your file. Working with Power View With Power View, you can quickly generate a top or bottom view of a side view of a standard part and vice versa. Before you complete the top view of the coverplate, you have to zoom into To zoom to the cover plate 1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Page 198 [All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object] <real Enter W, press ENTER time>: Specify first corner point (1) Specify first corner: Specify second corner point (2) Specify opposite corner: Use Power View to insert the screws into the top view of the coverplate. To insert a standard part using Power View 1 Start the Power View command.
Page 199 3 Click Top, and respond to the prompt as follows: Specify the centerline cross at top view (2) Specify insertion point: The top view of the screw connection is inserted into the top view of the coverplate. Your drawing should look like this: 4 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to insert the top view of the screw at the other three centerline crosses of the top view of the coverplate.
Page 200: Deleting With Power Erase
Save your file. Deleting with Power Erase Power Erase is an intelligent erase command. It detects the object information of a part. If you delete a screw connection with Power Erase, the representation of the background is automatically corrected. Before you delete the standard part, you have to zoom into it. To zoom to the standard part to delete 1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Page 201 Delete a screw using the Power Erase command. To delete a standard part 1 Start the Power Erase command. On the command line, enter AMPOWERERASE. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the screw (1) Select object: Press ENTER Select object: Deleting with Power Erase | 193...
Page 202: Inserting Holes
The screw connection is deleted and the lines and hatch are restored. Save your file. Inserting Holes Replace the previously deleted screw connection with a pin. First you insert a blind hole for the pin. 194 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 203 To insert a hole 1 Start the Blind Hole command. On the command line, enter AMBHOLE2D. 2 In the Select a Blind Hole dialog box, select Acc. to ISO 273, and Front View. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify insertion point (1) Specify insertion point: Specify a point to define insertion angle (2)
Page 204 4 In the Acc. to ISO 273 - Nominal Diameter dialog box, select a size of 5, and then click Finish. 5 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows: Enter 20, press ENTER Drag Size: The blind hole is inserted. Your drawing should look like this: 196 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 205: Inserting Pins
Save your file. Inserting Pins Insert a pin into the blind hole. To insert a pin 1 Start the Cylindrical Pins command. On the command line, enter AMCYLPIN2D. 2 In the Select a Cylindrical Pin dialog box, select ISO 2338 and Front View. Inserting Pins | 197...
Page 206 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify insertion point (1) Specify insertion point: Specify a point to define insertion angle (2) Specify rotation angle <0>: 4 In the ISO 2338 - Nominal Diameter dialog box, select a size of 5. 198 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 207 5 Click Finish, and then continue to respond to the prompt as follows: Drag the pin to size 5 h8 x 16 - B, and then click Drag Size: NOTE Turn the object snap (OSNAP) option off to snap to the correct pin size.
Page 208: Turning Off Centerlines In Configurations
2 Right-click, and on the shortcut menu deactivate Centerlines on/off. With the centerline of the pin turned off, only the centerline of the blind hole is displayed. Save your file. Turning Off Centerlines in Configurations If your drawing already contains holes with centerlines, and you want to add standard parts, it is recommended to turn off the centerlines for standard parts in the configuration.
Page 209: Simplifying Representations Of Standard Parts
Save your file. Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts In some cases, such as in complex assemblies, it is helpful to have a simplified representation of the standard parts for a better overview. With AutoCAD Mechanical, you can switch between different representation types without losing object or part information.
Page 210 3 In the Switch Representation of Standard Parts dialog box, select Symbolic. Click OK. The representation of the selected standard parts is symbolic. Your drawing should look like this: 202 | Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts...
Page 211 All of the standard parts you inserted in this exercise are listed in the mechanical browser. Save your file. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts | 203...
Page 213: Chapter 10 Working With Boms And Parts Lists
Working with BOMs and Parts Lists ® In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can create parts lists and bills of material (BOMs), and modify part references and balloons. In this chapter, you insert and edit a parts list, and work with the bill of material (BOM) database. Key Terms Term Definition...
Page 214: Working With Parts Lists
BOMs and parts list are generated automatically, and it is not necessary to insert part references manually. Open the initial drawing. To open a drawing 1 Open the file tut_pts_list in the Tutorial folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The drawing contains a shaft with a housing.
Page 215: Inserting Part References
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file. Inserting Part References Part references contain the part information required for a bill of material. The information in a part reference is available in the BOM database for creating a parts list.
Page 216 Click OK. The Part Reference is inserted into the drawing. In the next step, you create a part reference by reference. To insert a part reference by reference 1 Start the Part reference command again. On the command line, enter AMPARTREF.
Page 217: Editing Part References
Specify the insertion point at the circular edge (2) Select point or: 6 In the Part Reference dialog box, click OK. NOTE This part reference looks different, because it has been attached to an object (the circular edge) of the part. Subsequently, when you generate the parts list, it shows a quantity of 2 for this item.
Page 218 Press ENTER Enter an option [Next/Accept]<Accept>: 3 In the Part Reference dialog box, Reference Quantity field, enter 3, and then click OK. 4 Zoom to the extents to display the entire drawing. Save your file. 210 | Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists...
Page 219: Placing Balloons
Placing Balloons Create balloons from the part references in the drawing. To place a balloon 1 Start the Balloon command. On the command line, enter AMBALLOON. 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow Enter B Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]: NOTE At this stage the drawing doesn’t contain a BOM database.
Page 220 3 Place the balloons horizontally, above the assembly. Because the balloons are numbered automatically, depending on where you located the part references, the appearance of your drawing can be different. In the next step, you must renumber the balloons. To renumber balloons 1 Start the Balloon command again.
Page 221 Rearrange the balloons for a better representation. To rearrange balloons. 1 Start the Balloon command again. On the command line, enter AMBALLOON. 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow Enter E Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]: Select the six balloons on the right Select balloon: Press ENTER Select balloon:...
Page 222 The result must look like the following image: NOTE You can control snap distance within the Balloon Properties dialog box. Create a part reference and a balloon in one step with the manual option. To create a part reference and a balloon using the manual option 1 Start the Balloon command again.
Page 223 Shaft Description: Size Dia 50x150 Standard: Material: Click OK. 4 Press ENTER to start the leader line of the balloon in the center of the part reference. 5 Move the cursor through the center of balloon 1 to get the tracking line and the snap distance, and then click the insertion point.
Page 224: Creating Parts Lists
6 Press ENTER. Save your file. Creating Parts Lists Generate a parts list from the part reference information. To create a parts list 1 Start the Parts List command. On the command line, enter AMPARTLIST. 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select border/annotation view or specify BOM to create/use [Main/?] <MAIN>: Move the cursor over the border until tooltip ISO_A2 is displayed, click the...
Page 225 Click OK. The parts list appears dynamically on the cursor. 3 Move the cursor to position the parts lists above the title block, and then click to insert the parts list. The parts list looks like the following: Creating Parts Lists | 217...
Page 226 NOTE Because the balloons were originally numbered automatically, depending on where you located the part references, the order that parts are listed can be different in your drawing. If a drawing contains more than one border, the borders are listed in the BOM dialog box.
Page 227 Click OK. The parts list reflects the material value you added. NOTE Choose Apply to see the results in the drawing immediately without leaving the dialog box. All changes made in the dialog box are associative and change the data in the drawing immediately. 4 Double-click the parts list.
Page 228 You can edit your data in this dialog box. Some examples are shown next. 5 Select the Hex Nut entry, and then choose the Set values icon. 220 | Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists...
Page 229 6 In the Set Value dialog box, specify: Material Column: Value: Creating Parts Lists | 221...
Page 230: Merging And Splitting Items In Parts Lists
Click OK. The material value is added to the Parts List. 7 Now, change the material of the second bolt and nut accordingly. NOTE Use the shortcut menu inside a field to cut, copy, and paste. Merging and Splitting Items In Parts Lists Use the Parts List function to merge like items that are listed repeatedly.
Page 231 To merge items in a parts list 1 In the Parts List dialog box, select the repeated items -Needle Roller Bearing. Click the row heading (the button in the left most column) of item 1 and with the CTRL key pressed click the row heading of item 6. 2 Click the Merge Items toolbar button.
Page 232 If you click the Split item button with the Needle Roller Bearing row selected, the previously merged items can be split to become two separate items once again. We however, will not do it now, because in the next exercise we replace the two separate balloons with a single balloon that points to both Needle Roller Bearings.
Page 233: Collecting Balloons
NOTE Deleting a balloon in the drawing doesn't delete any data. Data is lost only if you delete a part reference. You can add more than one balloon to a part reference. For example, you can create a balloon with the same item number for the same part in another view.
Page 234 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]: Enter C, press ENTER 3 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows: Select the part reference of the left nut Select pick object or balloon: 4 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Select pick object or balloon:...
Page 235: Sorting And Renumbering Items In Parts Lists
Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists You can sort a parts list for manufacturing and sort standard parts with updated item numbers. To sort a parts list 1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing. 2 Double-click the parts list to display the Parts List dialog box. 3 Choose the Sort icon.
Page 236 4 In the Sort dialog box, specify as shown in the following image. Click OK. The result should look like this: In the next step, you renumber the items. To renumber parts list items 1 Click the column heading for the Item column. 228 | Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists...
Page 237 2 Click the Set values button. 3 In the Set Value dialog box, specify: Item Column: Start value: Step: Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists | 229...
Page 238 4 Click OK to return to the Parts List dialog box. 5 Choose Apply to see the results. The result should look like the following. 6 Choose OK to return to the drawing. 230 | Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists...
Page 239: Using Filters
Save your file. Using Filters You can create and use one or more filters for every parts list you have inserted in the drawing. To use filters in a parts list 1 Double-click the parts list to display the Parts List dialog box. 2 Right-click the blank list in the Filters and groups section.
Page 240 4 Select Custom and click OK. The details for this filter are displayed in the Filter and groups section of the Parts List dialog box. 5 Set the following values to define the filter. 232 | Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists...
Page 241 6 Activate the filter with the Custom check box. 7 Select the check box next to Custom and click Apply. The Standards that contain ISO are displayed. The filtered parts list is displayed in the drawing. The defined filters are saved with the parts list and can be used again later.
Page 242 Save your file. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. 234 | Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists...
Page 243: Chapter 11 Creating Shafts With Standard Parts
Creating Shafts with Standard Parts ® In this tutorial, you work with the automated shaft generator and standard parts in AutoCAD Mechanical to create and edit a shaft, and insert bearings. The standard parts you use are automatically structured in the mechanical browser. Key Terms Term Definition...
Page 244: Creating Shafts
Term Definition gear Any of several arrangements, especially of toothed wheels in a machine, which allow power to be passed from one part to another to control the power, speed, or direction of movement. radius reflection line Thin line that represents the radius in the side or top view. shaft break Interruption of a shaft.
Page 245: Configuring Snap Options
This creates a new drawing based on the am_iso template. Use Save As to save the drawing file with an appropriate name. NOTE The ISO standard part standard has to be installed for this tutorial exercise. Ensure that mechanical structure is enabled To enable mechanical structure 1 Click the STRUCT status bar button and latch it down to enable mechanical structure.
Page 246: Configuring Shaft Generators
To configure the snap options 1 Start the Power Snap Settings. 2 In the Power Snap Settings dialog box, in the Power Snap Configuration list, select Settings 4 and specify: Endpoint, Midpoint, Intersection Snap Modes: Click OK Save your file. Configuring Shaft Generators In the next steps, you start and configure the shaft generator.
Page 247 NOTE The start and endpoints of the centerline are only important in determining the direction. The length of the centerline is automatically adapted to the length of the shaft. 3 In the Shaft Generator dialog box, click Options. 4 In the Shaft Generator - Configuration dialog box, specify: Insert For Segment inserted: Left...
Page 248: Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections And Gears
Click OK. You return to the Shaft Generator dialog box. Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears The shaft generator is configured. Now you want to generate the first shaft segments. Verify that the Outer Contour tab is selected. To create shaft segments Click the lower cylinder button to define a cylinder section, and respond to the prompts as follows: Enter 12, press ENTER...
Page 249 NOTE Here, the DIN standard requires that you indicate the module. The ANSI standard requires the Diametral Pitch 1/module. You can switch between these two representations using the DIN and ANSI options. 3 Close the Shaft Generator dialog box. In the mechanical structure browser, the shaft is added as a component. Add an assembly to structure the shaft components you create in this exercise.
Page 250 components to the shaft, they are automatically structured in the assembly. Return to the shaft generator. Double-click the left shaft segment in the drawing and then press ESC. Click the lower cylinder button to define a further cylinder section and respond to the prompts as follows: Enter 5, press ENTER Specify length <10>: Enter 20, press ENTER...
Page 251 Click the lower cylinder button to define another cylinder section, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Enter 4, press ENTER Specify length <10>: Enter 24, press ENTER Specify diameter <20>: Click the lower cylinder button to define another cylinder section, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Enter 33, press ENTER Specify length <4>:...
Page 252: Inserting Spline Profiles
Inserting Spline Profiles Add a spline profile to the shaft. To create a profiled segment Click the Profile button. 2 In the Profile dialog box, click ISO 14 in the Details panel. 3 In the Splined Shaft ISO 14 dialog box, select the standard size 6 x 13 x 16 and enter a length of 26.
Page 253: Inserting Chamfers And Fillets
Inserting Chamfers and Fillets Apply a chamfer and a fillet to the shaft. To apply a chamfer and a fillet Click the Chamfer button to apply a chamfer to a shaft section, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Select the leftmost cylinder section (1) Select object: Enter 2, press ENTER...
Page 254: Inserting Shaft Breaks
NOTE The fillet is applied to the edge of the selected section that is closer to the selected point. The shaft looks like the following figure: Inserting Shaft Breaks Insert a shaft break in the drawing. To insert a shaft break Click the Break button to insert a shaft break, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Select the midpoint of the cylindrical section (1)
Page 255: Creating Side Views Of Shafts
Creating Side Views of Shafts Insert a side view of the shaft. To insert a side view Click the Side view button. 2 In the Side view from dialog box, select Right. Click OK. 3 Respond to the prompt as follows: Press ENTER Specify insertion point: The right side view is inserted at the proposed position.
Page 256: Inserting Threads On Shafts
Inserting Threads on Shafts Add a thread to the shaft. To insert a thread on a shaft Click the Thread button to insert a thread, and then select ISO 261 External from the Details panel. 2 In the ISO 261 ExternalThreads (Regular Thread) dialog box, select M10 and enter a length of 20.
Page 257: Editing Shafts And Inserting Sections
Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections Edit an existing shaft section and insert a new section. You use the Edit button in the shaft generator to turn on AMPOWEREDIT. To edit and insert a shaft section 1 Click the Edit button, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Select the first cylindrical section (1) Select object: Press ENTER...
Page 258: Replacing Shaft Sections
Specify diameter at endpoint or [Slope/Angle] <20>: Enter 22, press ENTER Replacing Shaft Sections The previously inserted slope needs to be deleted again. To replace a shaft section 1 Click the Undo button. The previous slope insertion is undone. Replace an existing shaft section. To do this, change the settings in the configuration.
Page 259 Click OK. Click the Slope button, and then respond to the prompt as follows: Enter D, press ENTER Specify length or [Dialog] <4>: 4 In the Shaft Generator - Cone dialog box, specify the following settings. Click OK. The slope replaces the cylindrical shaft section. Replacing Shaft Sections | 251...
Page 260: Inserting Bearings
Inserting Bearings Insert a bearing and perform a bearing calculation. To insert a bearing 1 Click the Standard Parts button, and then select Roller Bearings Radial ISO 355. Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify insertion point (1) Specify insertion point on shaft contour: Select a point to the right (2) Direction to [Left]: 2 In the ISO 355 dialog box, click Next.
Page 261 3 Specify the loads, and activate Work Hours as shown in the following. Click Next. 4 In the ISO 355 dialog box, select the bearing 2BD - 20 x 37 x 12, and then click Finish. Inserting Bearings | 253...
Page 262 You can drag the cursor to see all available bearing sizes. 5 Drag to the size 2BD - 20 x 37 x 12, and then press ENTER. 6 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK. The bearing is inserted. 7 Close the Shaft Generator dialog box.
Page 263 Save your file. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Inserting Bearings | 255...
Page 265: Engineering Calculations
Engineering Calculations The tutorials in this section teach you how to calculate moments of inertia and deflection lines, create and calculate chains, springs and cams. The drawing files for each lesson can be ® found in the Acadm/tutorial/ folder of the AutoCAD Mechanical installation folder.
Page 267: Chapter 12 Calculating Shafts
Calculating Shafts ® In this tutorial, you use the shaft generator in AutoCAD Mechanical to perform a calculation on an existing shaft, and apply various loads to a supported shaft. Then you insert the results into a drawing. Key Terms Term Definition deflection line...
Page 268: Calculating Shafts
Load the initial drawing. To open a file 1 Open the file tut_shafts in the Tutorial folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared...
Page 269: Creating Shaft Contours
The drawing contains a shaft in front and side view. 2 Zoom in to the shaft. On the command line, enter ZOOM 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or [All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object] <real time>: Enter W, press ENTER...
Page 270: Specifying Material
4 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, click Yes. 5 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Specify contour position: NOTE The calculation routine recognizes hollow shafts and uses the contour for the calculation. After you create the shaft contour, the Shaft Calculation dialog box is displayed so that you can select the boundary conditions, the material, and the representation of the calculation results.
Page 271 2 In the Material Properties dialog box, click Table. 3 In the Details panel of the Material Dialog box, click ANSI Material. 4 In the Material dialog box, select the material Steel SAE 1045 from the table. Click OK. NOTE If the ANSI standard is not installed on your system, you can select a different standard, but the results may differ from the results in this tutorial.
Page 272: Placing Shaft Supports
Click OK. Placing Shaft Supports Specify the shaft supports. To place a support In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, select the Movable Support icon, and then respond to the prompt as follows: Select the midpoint of the leftmost shaft section Specify insertion point: Select the Fixed Support icon, and then respond to the prompt as follows:...
Page 273: Specifying Loads On Shafts
Specifying Loads on Shafts Specify the effective loads. AutoCAD Mechanical uses geometry from the drawing for load calculations. The loads depend on the Calculated Part setting. There are three possibilities: Rotating Shaft, Rotating Axle, and Not rotating Axle. Shafts transfer torque and rotating axles results in different stress values than static axles results.
Page 274 Click OK. NOTE The Components tab displays the force components. Changes in one tab are automatically reflected in the other tab. Click the Point Load icon, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Select the midpoint of the profile section Specify insertion point: Press ENTER Specify rotation angle:...
Page 275 Click OK. Click the Torque icon, and then respond to the prompt as follows: Select the midpoint of the profile section Specify insertion point: 7 In the Torque dialog box, specify: Torque: Mt=: Click OK. The loads are specified, and the result looks like this: Specifying Loads on Shafts | 267...
Page 276: Calculating And Inserting Results
All boundary conditions necessary for a shaft calculation are specified. Calculating and Inserting Results Perform a calculation of the moments and deformations, and insert the results in your drawing. To perform a shaft calculation 1 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, click the Moments and Deformations button.
Page 277 Your drawing looks like this: The result block provides the most important information about your calculated shaft, such as the maximum stress deflection and moment values. Calculating and Inserting Results | 269...
Page 278: Calculating Strengths Of Shafts
5 Close the Shaft Calculation dialog box. Save your file. Calculating Strengths of Shafts Check the strength at a critical place of the shaft, such as at a notch. To calculate the strength at a notch 1 Restart the Shaft Calculation. On the command line, enter AMSHAFTCALC 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select contour or [Create contour/Strength] <Create>: Select the shaft contour...
Page 279 3 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, click the Strength button, and then respond to the prompt as follows: Specify calculation position on shaft or [Graph]: Specify the notch at the end of the conical section (1) (do not select the endpoint of the cylindrical shaft section) NOTE This notch was selected because the calculation established that the highest bending stress is close to this place.
Page 280 Click OK. 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify a point below the shaft Specify next point <Symbol>: Press ENTER Specify next point <Symbol>: The result block is inserted in the drawing. 272 | Chapter 12 Calculating Shafts...
Page 281 The safety factors are greater than 1.0, so the shaft does not need to be redesigned at this notch. 5 Close the Shaft Calculation dialog box. Save your file. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Calculating Strengths of Shafts | 273...
Page 283: Calculating Moments Of Inertia And Deflection Lines
Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines ® Many engineering calculations are automated in AutoCAD Mechanical. This tutorial illustrates how you calculate the moment of inertia for a profile section, and calculate the deflection line on a beam based on the profile calculation. Key Terms Term Definition...
Page 284: Performing Calculations
NOTE Before you perform this exercise, verify that the ISO standard part standard is installed. Load the initial drawing. Open the file tut_calc in the Tutorial folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial 276 | Chapter 13 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines...
Page 285: Calculating Moments Of Inertia
® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The drawing contains this profile: Save your file under a different name or directory to preserve the original tutorial file. Calculating Moments of Inertia In order to perform any calculations on a profile, you need to know its moment of inertia.
Page 286 Axis angle for major moment (I1): 5.3 Define the direction of the loads. They must be in one plane. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify direction of load forces (must all lie in one plane): Enter 270, press ENTER The data for this load direction is displayed on the command line, as follows: Effective moment of inertia for this load direction: 2.341e+004...
Page 287: Calculating Deflection Lines
A side view of the profile has been created for the deflection line. 5 Zoom to the extents of the drawing. Save your file. Calculating Deflection Lines The calculation of the deflection line requires the calculation result from the moment of inertia calculation. Calculate the deflection line under a specific load situation.
Page 288 4 In the Select Standard for Material dialog box, select ANSI Material. 5 In the Material Type dialog box, select ANSI standard and the material Al. Bronze Cast. NOTE If you have not installed ANSI standard, selecting a different standard according to your preference is also possible, but the results will differ from the results in this tutorial exercise.
Page 289 NOTE The support can only be placed along the beam. Click the Movable Support icon, and then respond to the prompt as follows: Select the right edge of the beam (2) Specify insertion point: Click the Uniform Load icon, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Select the left edge of the beam (3) Specify insertion point:...
Page 290 10 In the Beam Calculation dialog box, click Moments and Deflection. 11 In the Select Graph dialog box, select the options as shown in the following figure, and then Click OK. 12 Respond to the prompts as follows: Enter scale for bending moment line (drawing unit:Nm)<1:1.3913>: Press ENTER Enter scale for deflection (drawing unit:mm)<37.208:1>: Press ENTER...
Page 291 The calculation result block displays all important data on your calculation: Save your file. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Calculating Deflection Lines | 283...
Page 293: Calculating Chains
Calculating Chains ® In this AutoCAD Mechanical tutorial, you calculate a chain length, and insert sprockets and chain links into a drawing. Key Terms Term Definition partition Distance in mm or inches between centers of adjacent joint mem- bers. Other dimensions are proportional to the pitch. Also known as pitch.
Page 294 1 Enter AMBROWSER on the command line and press ENTER. 2 When prompted, enter ON and press ENTER. To load the tutorial drawing 1 Open the file tut_chain.dwg in the Tutorial folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows...
Page 295: Performing Length Calculations
Performing Length Calculations To calculate the required length of the chain 1 Start the Length Calculation command. On the command line, enter AMCHAINLENGTHCAL. 2 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, click Library. Performing Length Calculations | 287...
Page 296 3 In the Select a Chain dialog box, in the Details panel, select ISO 606 metric. 4 In the Select Part Size dialog box, specify: Standard: ISO 606 - 05B - 1 Click OK. 5 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, Click OK, and then respond to the prompts as follows: Select circle a (1) Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>:...
Page 297 Select circle c (2) Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle c (3) Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle b (4) Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle b (5) Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle a (6) Specify 2nd point for tangent: Press ENTER...
Page 298: Optimizing Chain Lengths
NOTE You can view the results by resizing the command line or opening the ® AutoCAD Text Window using F2. The chain arrangement has to be optimized to a length that is a multiple of the chain division. Save your file. Optimizing Chain Lengths To optimize the chain length 1 Start the Length Calculation command.
Page 299: Inserting Sprockets
Click OK. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved. Select the relocated circle b Select objects: Press ENTER Select objects: Enter 90, press ENTER Specify direction angle to move: Sprocket b is moved until a chain length of 122 links is achieved. 4 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, Click OK.
Page 300 Enter 360, press ENTER Specify rotation angle < 0 >: 3 In the Sprockets - Size Selection dialog box, select ISO 606 05B-1, and then click Next. 4 In the Sprockets - Geometry dialog box, specify: Geometry of Sprocket: Number of teeth: Number of Visible Teeth: Shaft Diameter: Click Finish.
Page 301 A hide situation is created. Insert the next two sprockets. 6 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command again. On the command line, enter AMSPROCKET. 7 In the Select Pulley and Sprocket dialog box, Buttons tab, click Sprockets Front view. Respond to the prompts: Select the center of circle b Specify insertion point: Enter 360...
Page 302 Click Finish. 10 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK. A hide situation is created, and is listed in the mechanical browser. The sprocket is inserted into the drawing. Create the next sprocket. 11 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command again. On the command line, enter AMSPROCKET and press ENTER.
Page 303 Click Finish. 15 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK. A hide situation is created, and is listed in the mechanical browser. The last sprocket is inserted as a simplified representation with only three teeth, as specified in the dialog box. Your drawing looks like this: Save your file.
Page 304: Inserting Chains
Inserting Chains To insert a chain 1 Start the Draw Chain/Belt Links command. On the command line, enter AMCHAINDRAW. 2 In the Select Belt and Chain dialog box, Details panel, click Chains. Respond to the prompts: Select the polyline near point 9 Select polyline: Select a point on the polyline Select starting point on polyline:...
Page 305 7 In the Hide Situation dialog box, click OK. The chain is inserted into the drawing, and a hide situation is created. Your drawing looks like this: The mechanical browser reflects the standard components you created in the drawing. Save your file. This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Inserting Chains | 297...
Page 307: Calculating Springs
Calculating Springs In this tutorial, you calculate a spring for existing boundary conditions and insert the spring into a drawing. You copy and edit the spring using the Power Copy and Power Edit commands ® in AutoCAD Mechanical. Key Terms Term Definition Belleville spring washer...
Page 308: Calculating Springs
You calculate and insert the springs in the existing drawing. Perform this tutorial with mechanical structure disabled. To open a drawing 1 Open the file tut_spring.dwg in the tutorials folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows...
Page 309: Starting Spring Calculations
The drawing shows two views (A and B) of the lever and spring housing, to reflect two different states of compression. Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file. Starting Spring Calculations Specify the spring and the location.
Page 310: Specifying Spring Restrictions
3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify the starting point (1) Specify starting point: Specify endpoint (2) Specify direction: Specifying Spring Restrictions Specify the spring restrictions. Use the Compression Springs dialog box to restrict the spring selection in various ways. 302 | Chapter 15 Calculating Springs...
Page 311 To specify the spring restrictions ® 1 In the Compression Springs - Select from Table SPEC Catalog A [mm] dialog box, specify: Specification: 2 Loads, 2 Lengths Absolute Set: Lengths Click the Da button. A row for specifying the outer diameter Da is added to the restrictions table.
Page 312 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify point for spring length L1: Select a point on the spring pressure plate (1) Use view B of the lever and spring housing to define the compressed spring length. 5 In the Compression Springs dialog box, click the value field for the length L2, and then choose the pick icon.
Page 313: Calculating And Selecting Springs
6 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify point for spring length L2: Select a point on the spring pressure plate in view B (1) The geometric boundary conditions are defined, and you can proceed with the calculation. Calculating and Selecting Springs Make the calculation settings and calculate the possible springs.
Page 314 To calculate and select a spring ® 1 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables SPEC Catalog A [mm] dialog box, choose the Additional Calculation Settings button. 2 In the Compression Springs - Additional Calculation [ANSI] dialog, select the left buckling case, and then Click OK. ®...
Page 315 The possible springs are calculated and the results are displayed in the ® Compression Springs - Select from Tables SPEC Catalog A [mm] dialog box. 4 Choose Select All to select all possible springs for the dynamic dragging process. Calculating and Selecting Springs | 307...
Page 316: Inserting Springs
Choose Finish. Inserting Springs Drag the cursor dynamically to switch between the selected possible springs. The outline of the spring is displayed in the drawing and the spring description is displayed in the tooltip. To insert a spring 1 Drag the cursor until the tooltip reads SPEC - 1.6 x 14.1 x 36, and then click.
Page 317: Creating Views Of Springs With Power View
Save your file. Creating Views of Springs with Power View In order to adjust the length of the spring in view B, the springs in the two views need to be different components rather than instances of the same component. Use the previously inserted spring in view A to create a spring for view B, using the Power View command.
Page 318 4 Respond to the prompts: Select point (1) in view B Specify starting point: Select point (2) in view B Specify direction: Topical Length (14.28 - 36)[Force/Deflection]<32.01>: Select the lower contact point of the compressed spring Press ENTER Select rod (only closed contours) <Enter=continue>: The spring is copied into view B in its compressed length.
Page 319: Calculating Screw Connections
Calculating Screw Connections In this tutorial, you calculate a screw connection using the stand-alone screw calculation ® function in AutoCAD Mechanical. Key Terms Term Definition axial force A force parallel to the screw axis. contact area The touching surfaces of the plates, which are effective for the calculation. safety factor The safety factor is the ratio of effective load and safe load.
Page 320 To open the initial drawing 1 Open the file tut_screw.dwg in the tutorials folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial The drawing contains the representation of a screw connection.
Page 321: Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations
The bolts are safeguarded against loosening by gluing the threads ( = 0.14). The tightening takes place manually using a torque wrench (k = 1.8). The flanged connection is to be designed for a alternating torque of T = 2405 Nm and non-skid (seal safety of plates 1). Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations To start the Screw Calculation 1 Start the Screw Calculation command.
Page 322 2 In the Select a Screw dialog box, in the Details panel, click Hex Head Types, and then click ISO 4017 (Regular Thread). 3 In the Select a Row dialog box, choose the standard M12x45. Click OK. The geometric values of the standard screw ISO 4017 M12x45 are entered. Specify the property class.
Page 323: Selecting And Specifying Nuts
DIN 10.9 Property class: The screw is specified completely. Specify the nut. 5 Click Next or the Definition of NUT icon in the top row to proceed. Selecting and Specifying Nuts In the Definition of NUT section of the screw calculation, you can select a nut standard and size.
Page 324: Selecting And Specifying Washers
2 In the Select a Nut dialog box, in the Details pane, click Hex Nuts and then, ISO 4032 (Regular Thread). You do not need to specify a size, because the size is determined by the screw size. Specify the washers. 3 Click Next.
Page 325: Specifying Plate Geometry And Properties
2 Click the Nut 1 tab, and then click the Table of Washers button. 3 In the Select a Washer dialog box, choose ISO 7091. Specify the plates. 4 Click Next. Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties In the Definition of PLATES section of the screw calculation, you can select plate materials and their geometric properties.
Page 326 2 Click any of the Table buttons. 3 In the Please Select a Part dialog box, in the Details panel, click DIN material. 4 Choose the material Cq 45, and then Click OK. 5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other Table button. Specify the contact area.
Page 327 The value for gr is changed to 17, as shown in the illustration. 8 Click Next. Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties | 319...
Page 328: Specifying Contact Areas
Specifying Contact Areas In the Definition of CONTACT AREA section of the screw calculation, you can specify the geometric properties of the contact area. To specify the contact area 1 On the Contact Area tab, click the Type button. 2 In the Select the Type of Contact Area dialog box, click the third button from the left.
Page 329: Specifying Loads And Moments
5 For the outer radius ro, click the pick button next to the entry field and respond to the prompts as follows: Select the point (1) Specify first point: Select the point (2) Second point: 6 For the inner radius ri, click the pick button next to the entry field and respond to the prompts as follows: Select the point (1) Specify first point:...
Page 330 Axial force: FB: 2 Click the Shear Loads tab and specify: Torsion Moment T =: [Nm] Radius R: 0.14 Coefficient of Friction: mt=: NOTE The torsion moment of 185 Nm results from the total torsion moment of 2405 Nm as given in the terms of reference divided by the 13 bolts. 322 | Chapter 16 Calculating Screw Connections...
Page 331: Specifying Settlement Properties
Specify the settlement. 3 Click Next. Specifying Settlement Properties In the Definition of SETTLEMENT section of the screw calculation, you can specify settlement properties. To specify the settlement 1 Click Calculate from Roughness and >= 1.6 micro m. Specifying Settlement Properties | 323...
Page 332: Specifying Tightening Properties
Specify the tightening. 2 Click Next. Specifying Tightening Properties In the Definition of TIGHTEN section of the screw calculation, you can specify the tightening method and properties. To specify the tightening 1 Specify as follows: Tightening Factor: kA=: 0.12 Coefficient of Friction: in Thread miG =: 324 | Chapter 16 Calculating Screw Connections...
Page 333: Creating And Inserting Result Blocks
Insert the result block. 2 Click Next. Creating and Inserting Result Blocks In the Results section of the screw calculation, you can take a look at the results. You have a complete overview of the results of the screw calculation. Creating and Inserting Result Blocks | 325...
Page 334 Insert the result block. To insert a result block Click Finish and respond to the prompts as follows: Specify a point right of the screw connection Specify start point: Press ENTER Specify next point <Symbol>: The result block is inserted at the specified location. Save your file.
Page 335: Calculating Stress Using Fea
Calculating Stress Using In this tutorial, you calculate the stresses in a lever using the finite element analysis (FEA) in ® AutoCAD Mechanical. You use the results to improve the design of the lever. Key Terms Term Definition distributed load A load or force that is exerted over a certain length.
Page 336: 2D Fea
NOTE The ISO standard parts have to be installed for this tutorial exercise. For this exercise, work with mechanical structure disabled. To open the initial drawing 1 Open the file tut_fea.dwg in the tutorials folder at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows...
Page 337: Calculating Stress In Parts
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file. To regenerate the drawing Activate the REGENALL command The drawing is regenerated. Calculating Stress In Parts Before you calculate the stress in a part, specify the border conditions. To specify the border conditions 1 Activate the FEA calculation.
Page 338: Defining Loads And Supports
The FEA 2D Calculation dialog box opens so that you can define border conditions and perform calculations. Select the thickness and the material of the lever. 3 In the Default section, specify a thickness of 10. 4 In the Material section, click Table. 5 In the Select Standard for Material dialog box, in the Details panel, click ANSI Material, and from the Select Material Type dialog box, select Al.
Page 339 To specify loads and supports Click the fixed line support button, and respond to the prompts as follows: Specify point (1) Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (2) Specify endpoint: Specify a point above the contour Specify side from endpoint: Click the movable line support button, and respond to the prompts as follows: Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>:...
Page 340: Calculating Results
Specify a point to the right of the specified points Enter 500 press ENTER Enter a new value <1000 N/mm>: Click the line force button again, and respond to the prompts as follows: Specify point (6) Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (7) Specify endpoint: Specify side from endpoint:...
Page 341 To calculate the results In the Mesh section, click the mesh button, and then press ENTER to return to the dialog box. In the Results section, click the isolines (isoareas) button. 3 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, select the Graphic -Representation button on the right.
Page 342: Evaluating And Refining Mesh
After calculation, the support forces are displayed near the support symbol. Evaluating and Refining Mesh The stress table allocation relative to the lever shows heavy concentration of local stress near drawing points 8 and 9. Refine the mesh near these points to obtain more exact calculation results for the points of interest.
Page 343 Press ENTER to continue meshing Press ENTER to return to the dialog box <Return>: The mesh is refined at the specified points. Recalculate the stress representation. Click the isolines (isoareas) button. 3 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, click the Graphic Representation button on the right.
Page 344: Refining Designs
Refining Designs The results show a critical area around point 8 that can be improved by applying a larger radius. Before changing the geometry, the results and solutions have to be deleted. To edit the geometry 1 Click the Delete Solution button. 2 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, click Yes to delete the solutions and results.
Page 345: Recalculating Stress
7 Respond to the prompt: Press ENTER to exit the command Select objects: The radius of the fillet is changed to 10. 8 Zoom to the extents of the drawing. Save your file. Recalculating Stress Before recalculating the stress division of the lever, calculate and display the deformation.
Page 346 Press ENTER to return to the dialog box <Return>: The result looks like this: Recalculate the stress division of the lever. Click the isolines (isoareas) button. 2 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, click the Graphic Representation button on the right. 338 | Chapter 17 Calculating Stress Using FEA...
Page 347 Click OK. 3 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Specify insertion point: To the left of the part, select a location for the table Press ENTER to return to the dialog box <Return>: 4 Click Close to leave the FEA 2D - Calculation.
Page 349: Chapter 18 Designing And Calculating Cams
Designing and Calculating Cams ® In this tutorial you use the automated cam design and calculation functionality in AutoCAD Mechanical to create a cam, perform calculations, and generate data for NC production. Key Terms Term Definition acceleration Rate of change in velocity. Types of gears for obtaining unusual and irregular motions that would be difficult to produce otherwise.
Page 350: Designing And Calculating Cams
Term Definition resolution Controls the precision of curves. A low value increases computing time. Use a higher value for initial design. step width Graph of the speed of the straight driven element, or the rotation angle of a rocker and the cam plate angle of rotation. Designing and Calculating Cams With the cam design and calculation functionality in AutoCAD Mechanical, you can implement all motions required in the scope of process control with...
Page 351: Starting Cam Designs And Calculations
Starting Cam Designs and Calculations To start a cam design and calculation 1 Open the cam design and calculation tool. On the command line, enter AMCAM. Specify the cam type. 2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Cam tab, specify: Type: Circular In the Type of Cam dialog box, click the center Circular icon and specify: Revolutions [1/min]:...
Page 352 5 In the Type of Follower dialog box, click the Swinging button. You are returned to the CAM Design and Calculation dialog box. Specify the following settings. 344 | Chapter 18 Designing and Calculating Cams...
Page 353 6 Click the Profile button, and define the profile. You can select between a power-contact profile (inner or outer) or a form-contact profile (both outer). Specify an inner profile, which requires a spring to keep contact. Specify the following settings. 7 Click the Location button.
Page 354: Defining Motion Sections
The Cam Design and Calculation dialog box is opened again. Defining Motion Sections Define five motion sections to describe the cam. To specify motions 1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, click the Motions button, and then click the New button. 346 | Chapter 18 Designing and Calculating Cams...
Page 355 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, you can either insert or append a new motion section. 2 Click Append. Define the first motion section. 3 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings. Position [deg] <from - to>...
Page 356 Click OK. The motion is inserted into the drawing and you are reverted back to the Cam Design and Calculation dialog. Define the next motions to describe the cam. 1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, click New. 2 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, click Append.
Page 357 4 Click the Context of Follower movement button. 5 Click Dwell - Constant Velocity (second button from left). 6 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings. 5th polynomial Curve: Velocity [rad/s] 0 -: Defining Motion Sections | 349...
Page 358 Click OK. The next motion section has to be ‘Constant Velocity, since the motion section before is ‘Dwell - Constant Velocity . 1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, click New. 2 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, click Append. 3 In the Motion - New mode dialog, specify the following settings.
Page 359 5 Click Constant Velocity (leftmost button). The routine recalculates the elevation and inserts the correct value, 10.73, in the Elevation box of the Motion New mode dialog box. Click OK. Define the next motion section. 1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, click New. 2 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, click Append.
Page 360 Click OK. Define the last motion section to complete the 360 degrees. 1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, click New. 2 In the Select Method to Add New Section dialog box, click Append. 3 In the Motion - New mode dialog, specify the following settings. Position [deg] <from - to>...
Page 361: Calculating Strength For Springs
Click OK. The definition of the motion section is complete, and all motion sections are displayed in the list. The definition of the geometry is finished. Calculating Strength for Springs To calculate the strength for the spring 1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, select the Strength check box, and then click the Strength button.
Page 362 2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Loads tab, specify: External Force [N] Fe =: Reduced Mass of the Follower [kg] mf =: 0.07 Reduced Inert Mass [kg] mi =: 3 On the Spring tab, specify: Preload [N] F0 =: 0.08 Mass of Spring [kg] ms =: Spring Location [mm] ls =:...
Page 363 4 On the Material tab, you can specify the material for cam and roller. In this case, use the default material. 5 On the Arm tab, specify: Dimensions of Arm [mm] d =: NOTE You can choose other types of cross sections for the arms. 6 Click Results, and then click Calculation.
Page 364: Exporting Cam Data And Viewing Results
The Calculation button gives you the results of your design. To optimize your design, you can choose to generate the correct size of the cam based on the pressure angle and the radius of curvature. To generate a cam design based on pressure angle and radius of curvature 1 Click the Calculation button.
Page 365 Click Generate File. 2 In the Save As dialog box, specify a descriptive file name and a location. Click Save. The cam is completely designed and calculated. 3 To view the results, click Finish, and then respond to the prompt as follows: Specify insertion point of result table: Specify a location for the result table...
Page 366 Save your file. This is the end of the tutorial chapter. 358 | Chapter 18 Designing and Calculating Cams...
Page 367: Autodesk Inventor Link
Autodesk Inventor Link ® The tutorial in this section teaches you how to import an Autodesk Inventor file and generate drawing views from them for documentation. The Autodesk Inventor assembly and part drawings required for this tutorial are available in the Acadm/tutorial/tut_bracket folder ®...
Page 369: Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
Term Definition parametric dimensions A type of dimension associated with an Autodesk Inventor part model. Parametric dimensions control the size and positions of geometry. If the dimension value is changed, the size and position of the geometry adjusts to reflect the new value.
Page 370: Linking Autodesk Inventor Part Files
AutoCAD Mechanical was installed with the Install Autodesk Inventor link option enabled. If Autodesk Inventor link support is not installed, an error message is displayed when you select the New Inventor link option on the File menu.
Page 371: Shading And Rotating Geometry
3 In the Link Autodesk Inventor File dialog box, locate the Tut_Bracket\Bracket Components folder, within the folder containing tutorial files at: Windows Vista : C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial ® Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2009\Acadm\Tutorial 4 Click Holder Bracket.ipt, then click Open.
Page 372: Inserting Drawing Borders
2 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command. On the command line enter AMTITLE. 3 In the Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box, specify: Paper Format: C (17.0x22.0 inch) Title Block: US Title Block 364 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 373 Scale: 1:1 4 Choose OK. 5 In the Page Setup Manager dialog box, select Layout1, then click Modify. 6 In the Page Setup - Layout1 dialog box, specify the following value: Inserting Drawing Borders | 365...
Page 374 9 Respond to the prompt as follows: Enter -0.25,-0.75, press ENTER Specify insertion point: 10 In the Change Title Block Entry dialog box, click Next. 11 In the next page specify: InventorPart File Name: 366 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 375: Creating Drawing Views
Creating Drawing Views You can create a variety of drawing view for a part. Any changes made to the part in Autodesk Inventor are automatically updated in the drawing views, when the .dwg file is updated. When you create a drawing view, the link reads parametric dimensions from the model and adds them to the view.
Page 376 To create a base view 1 On the command line, enter AMDWGVIEW. 2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify: Base View Type: Select Data Set: Layout1 Layout: Back Orientation: 2.0000 Scale: 368 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 377 3 Choose OK. 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify location for base view: Click in the lower left corner of the graphics area, press ENTER Creating Drawing Views | 369...
Page 378 Create an orthogonal view from the base view. To create an orthogonal view type 1 On the command line, enter AMDWGVIEW. 2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify: Ortho View Type: 370 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 379 3 Choose OK. 4 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select the base view Select parent view: Specify location for orthogonal view: Drag to a location above the base view, click to select location Press ENTER Specify location for orthogonal view: Creating Drawing Views | 371...
Page 380: Working With Dimensions
Some of the dimensions need rearranging, while a few may be redundant. You may also need to create dimensions for some entities. Dimensions you add yourself are called reference dimensions. If the part is modified in Autodesk Inventor, these dimensions automatically display the correct part size.
Page 381 NOTE The dimension you deleted may have been entered as a sketch dimension originally, and extruded later resulting in the redundancy of dimensions. To move dimensions 1 Click the diameter dimension of 0.8800. Three grip points are displayed on the dimension. 2 Drag the middle grip outside the bracket, and click.
Page 382 3 You may want to rearrange all the dimensions to tidy up the drawing view. To add a hole note 1 Start the Leader note command. On the command line, enter AMNOTE. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Select object to attach [rEorganize]: 374 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 383 In the orthogonal view, click the center of the hole in the middle (1), drag to a placement point (2), click and press ENTER The Note Symbol ANSI dialog box is displayed. 3 Click OK. The Hole Note is added. NOTE The note text is automatically generated with details extracted from the part file.
Page 384 [Linear/Angular/Radial/Baseline/ Chain/Options/Update] <select Press ENTER object>: Select arc, circle, line or dimension: In the base view, click the circle indicating the hole (1), drag the dimension to a placement point (2) and click 376 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 385: Exporting Drawing Views To Autocad
3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click OK. 4 Press ENTER twice to exit the command. Exporting Drawing Views to AutoCAD It is possible to export a drawing view of a linked drawing such that it can be ® ®...
Page 386: Linking Autodesk Inventor Assembly Files
7 Close AutoCAD Mechanical, start AutoCAD and open the file that you created in step 5. Linking Autodesk Inventor Assembly Files To link an Autodesk Inventor assembly file 1 Select File New Inventor Link. 378 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 387: Accessing Parts From The Browser
2 In the Select template dialog box, select the template am_ansi.dwt, then click Open. 3 Locate and select Bracket.iam, then click Open. To shade and rotate the assembly 1 Right-click the assembly name in the Mechanical Browser and select Shade. 2 Right-click the assembly name in the Mechanical Browser and select 3D orbit.
Page 388: Accessing Iproperties
2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Press ENTER Specify BOM to create or set current [Main/?] <MAIN>: The BOM dialog box is displayed. 3 Click the + sign in the first column to expand the row. 380 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 389 4 Click Settings. The BOM Settings dialog box is displayed. 5 Click the More button to display More Properties dialog box. Accessing iProperties | 381...
Page 390 6 Select Part Number and click OK. You are returned to the BOM dialog box. Notice the additional row at the bottom of the Available component properties list. 382 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 391: Inserting Drawing Borders
7 Click OK. The BOM Settings dialog box closes and the BOM dialog box becomes accessible again. 8 In the BOM dialog box, use the horizontal scroll bar to inspect the columns in the extreme right. Note how the iProperty Part Number is listed and automatically filled with data from the Inventor assembly file.
Page 392: Creating Parts Lists And Balloons
You can create a variety of drawing view types for a part, but you must create a base view first. Subsequent changes made to the assembly file in Autodesk Inventor are automatically updated in the drawing views when the drawing file is updated.
Page 393 The base view is placed in the lower-left corner of the drawing. To create the parts list 1 On the command line, enter AMPARTLIST. The Part List ANSI dialog box is displayed. 2 Click OK. 3 Move the cursor to position the parts lists above the title block, then click to insert the parts list.
Page 394 2 Respond to the prompt as follows: Select part/assembly or Enter A [auTo/autoAll/Collect/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize]: Window select the entire assembly Select pick object: Press ENTER Select pick object: 3 Place the balloons horizontally above the assembly. 386 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 395: Creating Breakout Section Views
Creating Breakout Section Views A breakout section view shows hidden details by cutting away portions that block their visibility. In this exercise, you indicate the section to remove by creating a cut line on one view and marking the depth of the cut on another view.
Page 396 Drag to a location above the base view, click to select location Specify location of projected view or [Done] <next view>: Press ENTER Specify location of projected view or [New parent view]: Press ENTER 388 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 397 To create the cut line: 1 On the command line, enter PLINE. 2 Respond to the prompts as follows: Click point (1) Specify start point: Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Click point (2) Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Click point (3) Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Enter close, press ENTER A closed polyline is created.
Page 398 5 Respond to the prompts: Select first parent view for breakout view: Select the orthogonal view Specify location of base view: Drag just above the base view, click to select the location, press ENTER 390 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 399 Select polyline to use as cutline: Click the polyline you created in the previous exercise (1) Select second parent view for depth selection: Select the base view (2) Select point (3) Select point for depth of section: The breakout section view is created. Creating Breakout Section Views | 391...
Page 400 3 Choose OK. 4 Respond to the prompts: Select the breakout section view Select parent view: Specify location of base view: Drag to the left of the orthogonal view, click, and press ENTER 392 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 401 NOTE The details shown in the view that is generated depend on where you place the view. When you drag to the left, the isometric view that is generated reveals a hole and a screw. They would not be visible if you placed the view elsewhere.
Page 402: Modifying Breakout Section Views
Select broken-out section view: Enter an option for paperspace cutline [Display/Select] <Display>: Press ENTER The cut line is displayed. 3 Modify the cutline to any shape you want it to be. 394 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 403 4 Start the Edit Paper Space Cut Line command. 5 Respond to the prompts. Click the breakout section view Select broken-out section view: Enter an option for paperspace cutline [Display/Select] <Display>: Enter S Click the edited polyline Select polyline to use as cutline: The breakout section view and the isometric view update.
Page 404: Removing Views
1 Right-click the base view icon in the browser and select Delete. The Delete dependent views dialog box is displayed. 2 Click No. The base view is deleted. 3 Save the file and close AutoCAD Mechanical. 396 | Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support...
Page 405: Updating Autodesk Inventor Parts
Updating Autodesk Inventor Parts If you have access to Autodesk Inventor (version 8 or above), you can modify the part file using Autodesk Inventor, then update the part in AutoCAD Mechanical to reflect the change. To edit a dimension using Autodesk Inventor 1 Open Holder Bracket.ipt in Autodesk Inventor.
Page 407: Index
19, 144 associative 92, 132 breakout section views, assembly hide files 387, 390 views breaks in shafts Autodesk Inventor link option browser Autodesk Inventor linked models 364, mechanical 368, 370, 379, 384, 387, 390, 392, 397 base views 368, 384...
Page 408 mechanical structure 362, 364–368, 370, 377, 379, 383– mechanical structure folders 384, 388, 390, 392 restructure Automatic Dimensioning view Beam Calculation compression springs Belt and Chain Length construction lines 21, 99, 103, 167, 200 Calculation Construction Lines dialog box Cam Design and Calculation contact areas in screw calculations Change Title Block Entry 366, 384...
Page 409 Screw Assembly Templates drawing borders 38, 144, 364, 383 Screw Calculation Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog Screw Connection New Part Front 145, 364, 383 View drawing views 364, 367, 377, 383–384 Screw Diameter Estimation export to AutoCAD Select a Blind Hole insert drawing borders 364, 383 Select a Cylindrical Pin...
Page 410 folders 51, 54, 56, 71 instances of mechanical structure 51, 71 keys in shafts modify language converter Gear dialog box Layer Control dialog box gears 236, 259 layer groups 25, 43, 119 geometry in structure layer system ghost components layouts grooved drive studs leaders 26, 36, 215, 225...
Page 411 point forces 260, 276 Point Load dialog box NC (numerical control) polylines Nominal Diameter dialog box power commands 100, 159 notches and stress calculations Power Copy 168, 176, 299 numerical control (NC) Power Dimensioning 100, 120, 135 nuts Power Dimensioning dialog box 113, 117, 130 Power Edit...
Page 412 Save Title Block Filename dialog box 367 Shaft Calculation dialog box Scale Area dialog box Shaft Generator dialog box scale areas 32, 120–121 shafts 33–34, 38, 236, 240–241, 244, scale monitors 246–249, 260, 268 scale of viewports, default breaks 236, 246 Screw Assembly Grip Representation - calculations 260, 268...
Page 413 supporting forces supports surface texture symbols vertical linear dimensions Switch Representation of Standard Parts view components dialog box View dialog box 125, 132 symbols 20–21, 36 viewports 25, 39, 120, 123 edge views 90, 99, 120, 123, 132, 247, 367, feature control frame 370, 384, 387, 392 feature identifier...

This manual is also suitable for:

Autocad mechanical 2009

Autodesk 057A1-09A111-1001 - AutoCAD LT 2009 User Manual

Overview

Chapter 1 About Autocad Mechanical

Chapter 2 Commands in Autocad Mechanical

Design and Annotation Tools

Chapter 3 Working with Templates

Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

Chapter 5 Designing Levers

Chapter 6 Working with Model Space and Layouts

Chapter 7 Dimensioning

Chapter 8 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes

Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts

Chapter 10 Working with Boms and Parts Lists

Chapter 11 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts

Engineering Calculations

Chapter 12 Calculating Shafts

Chapter 13 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines

Chapter 14 Calculating Chains

Chapter 15 Calculating Springs

Chapter 16 Calculating Screw Connections

Chapter 17 Calculating Stress Using FEA

Chapter 18 Designing and Calculating Cams

Autodesk Inventor Link

Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support

Index

Quick Links

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Summary of Contents for Autodesk 057A1-09A111-1001 - AutoCAD LT 2009