ENB316 Design of Machine Elements

Lesson 1 Solid Modelling Solid models and working drawings are often the final product of an engineering component to convey design concept to the people who approve and manufacture the designed product. In your career you will design and create, or supervise design and create of models of the product and working drawings. Errors made in the drawings results expensive changes and lot of scrap materials. Because of cost involved in errors, the ability to do accurate model and producing drawings are an essential skill employers expect from an Engineer. The primary goal for the students in this course is learn to make accurate models and working drawings. We teach SolidWorks because it is one of the most common CAD programs used in the industry. It is a parametric solid modeller with surfacing capabilities, ability to create 2 D drawings and built in engineering analysis capability.

SolidWorks is virtual prototyping software. SolidWorks can visualise your part or assemblies in the most realistic way possible without actually having it. This is equivalent to a physical model than a drawing in the paper. Hence modelling is more appropriate term than drawing or design. Features are used in SolidWorks modelling parts. This method is known as feature based modelling. You build the model by identifying functional shapes and applying processes to create shapes. Some simple extruded and revolved features are shown below.

Dr Wijitha Senadeera

ENB316 Design of Machine Elements

SolidWorks is also a history based showing process history in a panel to the left side of the window called Feature Manager. It keeps a list of how features are added. Features are steps in building a part. Feature Manager is an instruction sheet to build the part. In SolidWorks create sketches that change according to certain rules and maintain relations through these changes. SolidWorks is parametric modelling software. Parametric modelling uses parameters (dimensions) to define the boundaries and features contained within a model. When you are doing a complex design it may be necessary to change certain aspects of a model. By changing the parameters of a properly constructed parametric model parts and entire assemblies of related components can be re-built an updated to incorporate design modifications. In a parametric model contains both geometric description (shape, interconnectivity, etc) and specific numerical parameters (dimensions, number of instances, etc).Changes can be readily made to the parameters to update the model, without requiring any changes to the geometric information. In addition to 2D sketching it is also possible to make 3D sketches. 2D sketches are widely used and created on a plane, planar solid or surface face and use them to establish shapes for features. 3D sketches are used in hole wizard, routing and weldments and complex shape creations. To create the simplest geometry to more complex shapes, many different features are available in SolidWorks. Following table provides the most common features available. Feature types Sketch required Extrude Revolve Rib Hole wizard wrap Sketch optional Loft Sweep Dome Shape deform No sketch (applied feature) fillet Chamfer Draft Shell flex

Dr Wijitha Senadeera

ENB316 Design of Machine Elements

Design Intent Design intent is an important concept in parametric modelling. It incurs an additional cost to make future changes and revisions in a complex multi part assembly. To make a robust solid models and easily editable design some initial thoughts must be put into the method of modelling the part. Design intent is the act of building intelligence into the part by parametric and geometric relationships which define the fit and function of the part. When planning the model design intent is the consideration of the end use of a part, and possible changes to the part, when creating a solid model. There are few things to be in mind when incorporating design intent. They are: Choosing the initial sketch plane The choice of the initial sketch plane for a part should be considered before beginning a new part. Standard drawing practice is to orient the part so that the Front view is the model view that best describe the part. Sketch relations Sketch relations are used instead of dimensions to help to fully define a skectch. Selecting a modelling technique- For example three fillets Keeping it simple There can be different ways of modelling the same part. The best approach is used many simple steps rather than a few complex steps. Planning for other uses of the modelExploiting associativity- In SolidWorks this is the link between documents. For example a part has an association with the drawing. If part changes drawing will updates as well.

Dr Wijitha Senadeera

ENB316 Design of Machine Elements

References

1. Lombard, M. (2009). SolidWorks 2009 Bible, Wiley Publishing Inc, Indianapolis, USA 2. Howard, W. E. and Musto, J. C. (2007). Introduction to Solid Modeling Using SolidWorks 2007, McGrawHill, NY, USA

Dr Wijitha Senadeera