mechanical desktop 6

AutoCAD® Mechanical

6

User’s Guide

20606-010000-5001A January 24, 2002

Copyright © 2001 Autodesk, Inc.All Rights Reserved

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

iii

Contents

Part I Getting Started with AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 . . . 1

Chapter 1 Where to Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3About AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Modeling with AutoCAD Mechanical 6. . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Object Oriented Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Layer and Layer Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Linetypes, Lineweight, and Color. . . . . . . . . . . . 6Dimension Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Text Styles and Text Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Scale Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Rescaling Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Starting AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Where to Go First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

New AutoCAD User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7New AutoCAD Mechanical 6 User . . . . . . . . . . . 7Upgrading User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Accessing AutoCAD Mechanical Commands . . . . . . . . . . 8Migration Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9AutoCAD Mechanical Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Printed and Online Manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

AutoCAD Mechanical Printed Manual . . . . . . . . . 11AutoCAD Printed Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

iv | Contents

Online Installation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12AutoCAD 2002 Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . 13

AutoCAD Mechanical Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Product Support Assistance in Help . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Updating the Support Assistance Knowledge Base . . . . . 14Learning and Training Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Internet Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Typographical Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Chapter 2 Features and Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Key Features in AutoCAD Mechanical 6 . . . . . . . . . . 18Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . 37New and Revised Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . 38AMBALLOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38AMBELL2D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38AMBOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39AMCAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39AMCOMP2D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39AMCOMP2D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39AMHOLECHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40AMMANIPULATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40AMNOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41AMOPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41AMPARTLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41AMSTLSHAP2D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42AMTOR2D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42SAVEAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Part II AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Tutorials . . . . . . . 43

Chapter 4 Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Setting up the Starting Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Setting the Mechanical Options . . . . . . . . . . . 48Specifying the Drawing Limits. . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Contents | v

Saving a Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Using a Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Setting a Default Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Chapter 5 Working with Layers and Layer Groups . . . . . . . . 55Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Working with Layers and Layer Groups . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Changing a Layer By Selecting Objects . . . . . . . . . 58Creating Layer Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Using a Layer Group to Copy Objects . . . . . . . . . . 64

Chapter 6 Designing Levers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Extending the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Using the Library to Insert Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Preliminary Settings: Snap Configuration . . . . . . . . . 73Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines) . . . . . . . . . . 74Creating additional C-Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Creating a Contour and Applying a Fillet . . . . . . . . . 79Creating a Contour and Trimming Projecting Edges . . . . . 82Cross-Hatching the Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Dimensioning the Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85Creating a Detail and Additional Dimensions . . . . . . . 87

Chapter 7 Working with Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . 93Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94Working with Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95Creating a Scale Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95Creating a Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98Generating a New Viewport . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99Inserting a User Through Hole . . . . . . . . . . . 101Creating a Subassembly in a New Layout . . . . . . . . 106

Chapter 8 Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Automatic Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113Editing Dimensions with Power Commands . . . . . . . 116Breaking Dimension Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . 120Inserting a Drawing Border . . . . . . . . . . . . 121Inserting a Fits List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

vi | Contents

Chapter 9 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . 125Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . 127

Defining a 2D Hide Situation . . . . . . . . . . . . 128Inserting a 2D Steel Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130Modifying Steel Shapes using Power Commands . . . . . . 133Editing a 2D Hide Situation . . . . . . . . . . . . 134Copying and Moving a 2D Hide Situation . . . . . . . . 137

Chapter 10 Working with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . 141Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142Working with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Inserting Screw Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . 144Copying Screw Connections with Power Copy . . . . . . 149Creating Screw Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit . . . . . . . 160Working with Power View . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162Deleting with Power Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Inserting Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168Inserting Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170Turning Off Centerlines in Configurations. . . . . . . . 172Hiding Construction Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts. . . . . . . 174

Chapter 11 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . 177Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178Working with Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Inserting a Part Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Editing Part References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182Placing Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183Creating a Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Merging and Splitting Items in a Parts List . . . . . . . . 194Collecting Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197Sorting and Renumbering Items on a Parts List . . . . . . 198Using Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Contents | vii

Chapter 12 Creating Shafts With Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . 205Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206Creating Shafts with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Configuring the Snap Options . . . . . . . . . . . 207Starting and Configuring Shaft Generators . . . . . . . 208Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears . . . . . . 210Inserting Spline Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212Inserting Chamfer and Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . 213Inserting Shaft Breaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214Creating Side Views of Shafts. . . . . . . . . . . . 215Inserting Threads on Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections . . . . . . . . . 216Replacing Shaft Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218Inserting Bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Chapter 13 Calculating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224Calculating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Creating Shaft Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226Specifying the Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227Placing Shaft Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229Specifying Loads on Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . 229Calculating and Inserting Results . . . . . . . . . . 232Calculating Strengths of Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Chapter 14 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines . . . . 239Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines . . . . . . 241

Calculating Moments of Inertia . . . . . . . . . . . 242Calculating Deflection Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

Chapter 15 Calculating Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250Chain Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Performing Length Calculations. . . . . . . . . . . 252Optimizing the Chain Length . . . . . . . . . . . 254Inserting Sprockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256Inserting Chains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

viii | Contents

Chapter 16 Calculating Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262Calculating Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

Starting Spring Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . 264Specifying Spring Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . 266Calculating and Selecting Springs. . . . . . . . . . . 270Inserting Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272Copying Springs with Power Copy . . . . . . . . . . 273Editing Springs with Power Edit . . . . . . . . . . . 274

Chapter 17 Calculating Screw Connections . . . . . . . . . . 277Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278Methods for Calculating Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . 280

Selecting and Specifying Screws . . . . . . . . . . . 280Selecting and Specifying Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . 283Selecting and Specifying Washers. . . . . . . . . . . 284Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties . . . . . . . . 285Specifying Contact Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287Specifying Loads and Moments . . . . . . . . . . . 289Specifying Settlement Properties . . . . . . . . . . . 291Specifying Tightening Properties . . . . . . . . . . . 292Creating and Inserting Result Blocks. . . . . . . . . . 293

Chapter 18 Calculating Stress Using FEA . . . . . . . . . . . 295Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2962D FEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

Calculating the Stress in a Lever . . . . . . . . . . . 298Defining Loads and Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . 300Calculating Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301Evaluating and Refining Mesh. . . . . . . . . . . . 303Refining Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Recalculating Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

Chapter 19 Designing and Calculating Cams. . . . . . . . . . 311Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312Designing and Calculating Cams. . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

Starting Cam Designs and Calculations . . . . . . . . . 314Defining Motion Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317Calculating Strength for Springs . . . . . . . . . . . 324Exporting Cam Data and Viewing the Results . . . . . . . 328

Contents | ix

Appendix A Toolbar Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331Main Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

Main Toolbar - New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332Main Toolbar - Basic Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . 332Main Toolbar - Layer Functions . . . . . . . . . . . 333Main Toolbar - Undo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333Main Toolbar - Inquiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333Main Toolbar - AutoCAD Mechanical Today . . . . . . . 333Main Toolbar - dbConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . 333Main Toolbar - Power Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . 334Main Toolbar - Power Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . 334Main Toolbar - Power Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . 334Main Toolbar - Power Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . 334Main Toolbar - Power Dimensioning - Units . . . . . . . 335Main Toolbar - Power Snap . . . . . . . . . . . . 335Main Toolbar - Compass Rose . . . . . . . . . . . 335Main Toolbar - UCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

Zoom Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336Zoom Toolbar - RTZOOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336Zoom Toolbar - ZOOM2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

Design Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337Design Toolbar - Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337Design Toolbar - Draw - Line . . . . . . . . . . . . 338Design Toolbar - Draw - Arc . . . . . . . . . . . . 338Design Toolbar - Draw - Rectangle . . . . . . . . . . 338Design Toolbar - Draw - Circle . . . . . . . . . . . 338Design Toolbar - Draw - Centerline . . . . . . . . . . 339Design Toolbar - Draw - Hatch . . . . . . . . . . . 339Design Toolbar - Draw - Construction . . . . . . . . . 339Design Toolbar - Draw - Construction Edit . . . . . . . 339Design Toolbar - Modify . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Assistance Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341Assistance Toolbar - Block Create . . . . . . . . . . 341Assistance Toolbar - Xref/Block Insert . . . . . . . . . 341Assistance Toolbar - Title Block . . . . . . . . . . . 341Assistance Toolbar - Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342Assistance Toolbar - Paper/Model Space . . . . . . . . 342

Annotation Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342Annotation Toolbar - Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . 342Annotation Toolbar - Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . 343Annotation Toolbar - BOM . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

x | Contents

Content Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344Content - Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344Content - Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344Content - Shaft Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345Content - Standardtools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345Content - Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345Content - Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346Content - Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346Content - Calculation - Chain/Belt Calculation . . . . . . 346Content - Calculation - Springs . . . . . . . . . . . 346

Power Snap Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347Power Snap Toolbar - Point Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 347

Appendix B Layer Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 349

Appendix C Title Block Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Appendix D Accelerator Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

Part IGetting Started with AutoCAD®

Mechanical 6

Part I provides information for getting started with your AutoCAD Mechanical 6 software.

It includes an overview of the product capabilities and functionality, and information

about the migration of files from previous releases.

In addition, Part I provides a guide to both the print and online documentation that you

received with your AutoCAD Mechanical software. Information about training courseware

and Internet resources are also included.

1

In This Chapter

Where to Start

1■ The AutoCAD Mechanical 6

software package

■ Modeling concepts

■ Where to go first

■ Migration Assistance

■ AutoCAD Mechanical Today

■ Product documentation

■ Internet resources

■ Typographical conventions

This chapter provides information to get you started

using the AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 software. It describes

the basic concepts for modeling with the software, and

the migration of files from previous releases.

An overview of the printed and online documentation

is included, along with resources for product learning,

training, and support. Read this section so that any time

you need product information, you will know where to

locate it.

3

About AutoCAD Mechanical

AutoCAD Mechanical is a purpose built 2D mechanical design solution for the internet age. Built on the AutoCAD 2002 software platform, the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 design software package includes:

■ AutoCAD Mechanical 6 with the power pack (2D Parts and Calculations)■ AutoCAD 2002

The AutoCAD Mechanical software provides 2D mechanical engineering and design tools, including:

■ Improved design and detailing tools, including cams, springs, holes, and notes for holes and standard parts.

■ Improved workflow and compliance with company standards■ Intelligent production drawing and detailing■ Assembly tools for managing detailed 2D drawings and assemblies■ Standards based design and content, with more than half a million

reusable 2D standard parts, features, holes and structural steel shapes■ Machinery systems generators that speed up systems creation and reduce

errors■ Engineering calculations that provide greater accuracy■ Collaboration tools, including support for Autodesk Streamline■ Built-in IGES translator

Modeling with AutoCAD Mechanical 6

AutoCAD Mechanical 6 software contains over half a million standard parts with data for creating the parts list, standard dependent drawing borders with title blocks, symbols, calculations, and so on.

Object Oriented Construction

If you compare the AutoCAD drawing objects with the objects from AutoCAD Mechanical 6, you notice that the Mechanical objects contain contours, centerlines, symbols, shafts, screws, bearings, and so on.

4 | Chapter 1 Where to Start

For example, if the nominal diameter of a screw connection has to be changed, all elements of the screw connection (such as edges and hatches) have to be changed manually. AutoCAD Mechanical 6 “ recognizes” the screw connection, and changes the elements automatically. Therefore the construction is object oriented.

Layer and Layer Groups

The AutoCAD Mechanical layer system is made up of base layers, special layers, and layer groups.

■ Base Layer - consists of the working layers and standard part layers. Base layers are repeated in each layer group.

■ Special Layers - serve to turn object layers on and off to make a drawing clearer, and speed up plotting.

■ Layer Groups - you can assign associated or related items of a drawing to particular layer groups and add those layer groups to the base layer group.

If you are creating an object or inserting a part into the drawing, the object is placed on the appropriate layer automatically. For example, centerlines will be placed on base layer AM_7, hatches on base layer AM_8, and dimensions on base layer AM_5. Standard parts are placed on base layers with the suffix *N.

Modeling with AutoCAD Mechanical 6 | 5

Linetypes, Lineweight, and Color

The predefined layers have suitable lineweights, linetypes and colors assigned to them, varying depending on the set standard.

Since the object attributes of almost all drawing elements are configured with the ByLayer method, centerlines, construction lines, hidden edges, and so on, are controlled automatically.

Dimension Styles

AutoCAD Mechanical 6 contains several standard dependent dimension styles, which are used automatically according to the dimension functions.

Text Styles and Text Fonts

There are four text style formats with different text heights, and alignments. Additionally AutoCAD Mechanical 6 offers font databases with a vast number of special characters, for example the diameter symbol.

Scale Factors

Dimensions, hatches, and text styles depend on the plot scale. The linetypes, symbols, and so on, are synchronized accordingly.

You can set the base scale factor in the Mechanical Options dialog box, or by inserting a predefined drawing border for a new drawing. If you combine several drawing borders to a file, each of the drawings can have a different plot scale.

In model space it is easy to handle more than one scale, by creating scale areas with different scale factors. These are taken into consideration automatically, for example when adding dimensions or symbols to drawing objects.

When you choose a layout tab, you can create viewports with the appropriate enlargement scale. It is also possible to automatically or manually create new viewports, that are based on existing scale areas in model space.

Rescaling Objects

If you determine that the format or the scale factor for a drawing border has to be changed, AutoCAD Mechanical 6 rescales all affected drawing objects. All texts, dimensions, and symbols, will automatically be resized according to the new scale factor.


Starting AutoCAD Mechanical

You can start AutoCAD Mechanical by using one of the following procedures:

■ Click Start on the task bar, then choose Programs. Select AutoCAD Mechanical 6 or AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Power Pack.

■ On the desktop double-click the desired AutoCAD Mechanical icon:

Where to Go First

Here you learn which components of the documentation are most helpful for your level of experience.

See “ Printed and Online Manuals” on page 11 for a description of the printed and online documentation components and their locations.

New AutoCAD User

If you are new to AutoCAD 2002:

■ See the AutoCAD 2002 User's Guide, which explains concepts and provides procedures for completing common drafting tasks. The glossary helps you understand AutoCAD 2002 terminology.

■ Quick Reference Card: An at-a-glance reference to AutoCAD toolbars and accelerator keys. The card is located at the back of the printed User’s Guide, but is not available online.

Once you are familiar with AutoCAD 2002, follow the suggestions in the next section for learning AutoCAD Mechanical 6.

New AutoCAD Mechanical 6 User

If you are familiar with AutoCAD, but you are new to AutoCAD Mechanical:

■ Read chapter 2, “ Features and Commands” on page 17. This is an overview of AutoCAD Mechanical basics and the user interface.

■ Go through the AutoCAD Mechanical tutorials in this manual. The tutorials are also offered in PDF format on the product CD and on the Web.

■ Refer to the Glossary in the Help to familiarize yourself with AutoCAD Mechanical terminology.

■ As you use AutoCAD Mechanical, refer to Help for information about commands, procedures, and concepts. From the Help menu, choose AutoCAD Mechanical, select the general area of information you seek, and then choose a specific topic.

Starting AutoCAD Mechanical | 7

Upgrading User

If you are upgrading from a previous release of AutoCAD Mechanical, see chapter 3, “ New and Revised Commands” on page 37 for all of the revised and new features in this release.

Compatibility

If you are saving a file in AutoCAD Mechanical 6 format, the drawing is not compatible with drawings saved in AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i format. However, it is possible to save AutoCAD Mechanical 6 files in AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i format with the revised Save As command.

Accessing AutoCAD Mechanical Commands

AutoCAD Mechanical provides several methods to access commands and manage your design process.

The following are samples of the access methods available to you:

Context Menu In the graphics area, right-click and choose Power Edit.

Toolbutton Power Edit

Desktop Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands➤ Power Edit

Command AMPOWEREDIT

The step-by-step procedures in the tutorials indicate the command name in the opening procedural text. The appropriate toolbutton is displayed in the margin next to the preferred access method. In the tutorials, the context menu method is used when the menus are sensitive to what you are doing. The Browser method is used when you can save time and steps. You can use any of the alternate methods as well.

Here is an example of how methods are used in the tutorials:

1 Use AMPOWEREDIT to edit a feature.

Context Menu In the graphics area, right-click and choose Power Edit.

NOTE To find the location of a particular toolbutton, refer to Appendix A.


Migration Assistance

To migrate Genius 14 parts lists, layers, and symbols to use with AutoCAD Mechanical 6, you can use the Migration Assistance.

The File Migration Tool (FMT) is a component of AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Migration Assistance, an independent Visual Basic (not VBA) application located on your product CD. The FMT migrates multiple files from previous releases of AutoCAD Mechanical to the current format. You can install AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Migration Assistance during or after the installation of your Autodesk mechanical product.

To install the Migration Assistance from your product CD

1 Hold down the SHIFT key while you insert the product CD into the CD-ROM drive. This prevents Setup from starting automatically.

2 In the file tree of the CD-ROM drive, navigate to the Migrate folder and double-click setup.exe.

3 Respond to the directions in the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Migration Assistance installation dialog boxes.

For more information about the Migration Assistance, refer to the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 and Mechanical Desktop 6 Installation Guide on your product CD.

Migration Assistance | 9

AutoCAD Mechanical Today

The first time you open the AutoCAD Mechanical program, the Today window is displayed on top of the program interface along with instructions about how to use it. The Today feature is a powerful tool that makes it easy to manage drawings, communicate to design teams, and link directly to design information.

In the Today window, you can expand the following options for access to the services you require.

My Workplace Connect directly to files on your computer and your local network.

My Drawings Open existing drawings, create new ones, or access symbol libraries.

Bulletin Board Post your own Web page with links to block libraries, CAD standards, or other folders and directories on your company intranet. CAD managers can use the Bulletin Board to communicate with their design teams. An HTML bulletin board template is provided.

The Web Connect directly to the Internet.

AutodeskPoint A

Link directly to design information and tools such as Buzzsaw.com on the Web. Use the units converter, link to Autodesk Web sites, and much more.

Login and create your free account. Customize the information in Autodesk Point A for your specific needs.

You can close the Today Window and use the File menu to create new draw-ings or open existing drawings.

If you prefer not to see the Today Window when you start AutoCAD Mechanical, you can turn it off in Assist ➤ AutoCAD Options ➤ System ➤ Startup.


Printed and Online Manuals

The extensive set of printed and online documentation provided with your purchase of AutoCAD Mechanical 6 software includes the printed AutoCAD Mechanical 6 User’s Guide and the AutoCAD User’s Guide.

The online AutoCAD Mechanical 6 and Mechanical Desktop 6 Installation Guide is provided on the product CD.

All of the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 manuals are available in PDF format in Help and on the AutoCAD Mechanical product page of the Autodesk Web site at http://www.autodesk.com/autocadmech ➤ Product Information ➤ Online and Print Manuals.

AutoCAD Mechanical Printed Manual

The printed AutoCAD Mechanical 6 User’s Guide is divided into two parts.

Part I An introduction to the product and information you need to get started using the software.

Part II A set of tutorials to expand your skills in using AutoCAD Mechanical.

What’s New In the TutorialsThis release of AutoCAD Mechanical 6 has many features that will help you create drawings faster and more intuitively.

In addition to the features described in the following, you will find

■ New tool buttons providing access to more commands■ Shortcut menus, accessible in the graphics area as you work on your

drawing.■ Redesigned command prompts and user interfaces that provide more

information, and make it easier to choose from command options.

Chapter 4 Working with Templates: Improved Mechanical Options dialog box and AutoCAD Mechanical Today window.

Chapter 5 Working with Layers and Layer Groups: New Visibility Enhancement dialog box.

Chapter 6 Designing Levers: New Power Dimensioning dialog box.

Chapter 7 Working with Model Space and Layouts: Improved Detail dialog box

Printed and Online Manuals | 11

Chapter 8 Dimensioning: Improved Power Dimensioning dialog box.

Chapter 9 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes: new 2D Hide feature, and insert and modify steel shapes.

Chapter 10 Working with Standard Parts: screw assembly templates.

Chapter 11 Working with a Bill of Material and a Parts List: improved part reference behavior

Chapter 12 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts: start a new drawing and use a predefined template with AutoCAD Today.

Chapter 13 Calculating Shafts: improved shaft calculation routine and new strength calculation routine.

Chapter 14 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines: improved material selection dialog

Chapter 15 Calculating Chains: Improved methods to create and calculate chains or belts.

Chapter 16 Calculating Springs: improved spring calculation routine.

Chapter 17 Calculating Screw Connections: new screw calculation routine.

Chapter 18 Calculating Stress Using FEA: improved command line prompts for the FEA routine.

Chapter 19 Designing and Calculating Cams: improved cam design and calculation routine.

AutoCAD Printed Manual

The printed AutoCAD User’s Guide contains comprehensive information and instructions for using AutoCAD. This manual is also available online in the AutoCAD Help.

Online Installation Guide

The AutoCAD Mechanical 6 and Mechanical Desktop 6 Installation Guide is available on the product CD. It provides the following information:

Introduction What’s in the software.

Chapter 1 System requirements and recommendations for installing and running the software.


Chapter 2 Procedures to install, upgrade, authorize, and maintain the software for a single user, and information you need to know before you begin your installation.

Chapter 3 Information for network administrators. Instructions for installing and configuring for a network environment.

Chapter 4 Technical information about environment variables and performance enhancements to optimize performance of the software.

Chapter 5 Information about cabling and option settings, plus other information necessary to link and configure plotters and printers with AutoCAD Mechanical/Mechanical Desktop.

Chapter 6 Instructions to uninstall the software, maintain your hard disk, and recover data in case of a system failure.

AutoCAD 2002 Documentation

You should be familiar with AutoCAD before you use AutoCAD Mechanical. The complete set of AutoCAD 2002 documentation is available in the AutoCAD Help. It includes:

■ User's Guide*■ Command Reference* ■ Customization Guide*■ ActiveX® and VBA Developer's Guide* ■ ActiveX® and VBA Reference■ AutoLISP® Reference■ Visual LISPTM Developer's Guide* ■ Visual LISPTM Tutorial* ■ DXFTM Reference■ Driver Peripheral Guide■ Connectivity Automation Reference■ Network Administrator’s Guide

AutoCAD 2002 manuals marked with an asterisk can be ordered in print from your local reseller.

The AutoCAD 2002 Learning Assistance CD that is included in your package is a multimedia learning tool for intermediate to experienced AutoCAD users.

If you currently own a valid license for an Autodesk product and require replacement media or documentation, please call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-538-6401 to order.

Printed and Online Manuals | 13

AutoCAD Mechanical Help

The Help in AutoCAD Mechanical provides information about AutoCAD Mechanical with the power pack.

The Help is formatted for easy navigation, and includes:

■ Content organized by the major functional areas of AutoCAD Mechanical, with How To, Reference, and Learn About pages for each functional area

■ Specific information about each of the features in the program■ Concepts and procedures for the new features in this release■ A keyword index and search function■ Printable Command Reference■ Guides to system variables and accelerator keys■ Access to Support Assistance with integrated links to solutions

For access to Help, you can choose from the following methods:

■ From the Help menu, select Mechanical Help Topics.■ Select the Help button in the standard toolbar.■ Press F1. This opens the topic for an active button or command.■ Click the Help button within a dialog box.

Product Support Assistance in Help

When you need product support, refer to Support Assistance in the Help menu. Support Assistance ensures quick access to technical support informa-tion through an easy-to-use issue/solution format with self-help tools and a knowledge base.

Product Support Assistance provides information about support options available from resellers, Autodesk System Centers (ASCs), user groups in your area, and those available directly from the Autodesk Web pages, including the Autodesk Product Support Index.

Updating the Support Assistance Knowledge Base

You can update your Support Assistance knowledge base with the latest support information about AutoCAD Mechanical by using the Documentation Update utility in the Support Assistance Welcome.


To update your Support Assistance Knowledge Base

1 From the Help menu, choose Support Assistance, then choose Download.

2 Follow the prompts to update your knowledge base.

Learning and Training Resources

Many sources for learning and training are listed on the AutoCAD Mechanical Learning and Training Web page. From the AutoCAD Mechanical Web site at http://www.autodesk.com/autocadmech, navigate to Learning and Training. You can link directly to sources for

■ Online courses and tutorials■ The Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC)■ A list of Autodesk authorized resellers and trainers

Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC) is the Autodesk-endorsed courseware for instructor-led training. To register for a training course, contact an Authorized Autodesk Training Center, Authorized Autodesk Reseller, or Autodesk System Center.

You can find a list of these organizations on the Autodesk Technical Assistance Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/support and click Autodesk Training Centers.

Internet Resources

Following are resources for information about Autodesk products and assistance with your AutoCAD Mechanical questions.

■ Autodesk Web site: http://www.autodesk.com■ Autodesk Premier Products + Support Web site:

http://www.autodesk.com/supp/resource/phonespt/premier.htm■ AutoCAD Mechanical discussion groups:

http://www.autodesk.com/autocadmech-discussion■ Mechanical Desktop discussion groups:

http://www.autodesk.com/mechdesktop-discussion■ To locate an authorized reseller in your area, go to:

http://www.autodesk.com/support.

Learning and Training Resources | 15

Typographical Conventions

To orient you to AutoCAD Mechanical features as they appear on the screen, specific terms are set in typefaces that distinguish them from the body text. Throughout AutoCAD Mechanical documentation, the following conventions are used.

Typographical conventions

Text element Example

CommandsAutoCAD system variablesAutoCAD named-objects, such as linetypes and styles

ADCENTER, DBCONNECT, SAVEDIMBLK, DWGNAME, LTSCALEDASHDOT, STANDARD

Prompts Bom table [Delete/Main/Edit] <Edit>:

Instructions after prompt sequencesFile names and file name extensionsFolder or directory names

Select objects: Select the object you want to copy acad.exe, Readme file, .dwg file extension Sample folder, c:\ACADM2000i\support

Text you enter At the Command prompt, enter shape.

Keys you press on the keyboard CTRL, F10, ESC, ENTER

Keys you press simultaneously on the keyboard CTRL + C


In This Chapter

Features and Commands

2■ The AutoCAD Mechanical 6

functionality

■ Command summary

This chapter provides information on the key areas of

2D mechanical design functionality in AutoCAD®

Mechanical 6.

A summary of commands with their toolbuttons and

functions is also provided.

17

AutoCAD Mechanical 6

Functionality Overview

AutoCAD Mechanical 6 extends the basic drawing, dimensioning and documentation functionality of AutoCAD 2002. It provides features for getting the most out of the intelligent standard parts in your drawing, as well as engineering features for optimizing your design.

2D Standard PartsTo generate an object from scratch, use the parametrically generated, intelligent geometry listed below:

■ Standard Parts contain more than 800.000 intelligent standard parts including screws, nuts, washers, pins, rivets, bushings, rings, seals, bearings, and others.

■ Standard Features contain 8,000 intelligent standard features including slots, centerholes, undercuts, keyways, and thread ends.

■ Standard Holes contain over 20,000 intelligent standard holes including through holes, blind holes, counterbores, countersinks, and others.

■ Standard Structural Steel Shapes contain over 44,000 intelligent standard structural steel shapes.

Standard Part ToolsAlmost more important than the standard parts are the tools designed for them. After all, how often does a design call for a screw without an accompanying hole? In AutoCAD Mechanical 6 these tools include:

■ A Screw Connection for inserting complete fastener assemblies.■ Change Representation functionality changes the representation of your

standard parts (symbolic, simplified, standard).■ The Power View function for deriving associative orthographic views, for

example, a side view of a standard part from a front view or vice versa.

Key Features in AutoCAD Mechanical 6

AutoCAD Mechanical 6 extends the basic drawing, dimensioning and documentation functionality of AutoCAD® 2002. It provides 2D engineering features for optimizing your design, and features for getting the most out of the intelligent standard parts in your drawings.

The following are some of the features and functionality in five key areas of mechanical design in AutoCAD Mechanical 6:

2D Standard PartsTo generate an object from scratch, use the parametrically generated, intelligent geometry listed below:

■ Standard Parts contain more than 800,000 intelligent standard parts including screws, nuts, washers, pins, rivets, bushings, rings, seals, bearings, and others.

■ Standard Features contain 8,000 intelligent standard features including slots, centerholes, undercuts, keyways, and thread ends.

■ Standard Holes contain over 20,000 intelligent standard holes including through holes, blind holes, counterbores, countersinks, and others.

■ Standard Structural Steel Shapes contain over 44,000 intelligent standard structural steel shapes.

Standard Parts ToolsAlmost more important than the standard parts are the tools designed for them. After all, how often does a design call for a screw without an accompanying hole? In AutoCAD Mechanical 6 these tools include:

■ A Screw Connection for inserting complete fastener assemblies.■ Change Representation functionality changes the representation of your

standard parts (symbolic, simplified, standard).■ The Power View function for deriving associative orthographic views, for

example, a side view of a standard part from a front view or vice versa.

18 | Chapter 2 Features and Commands

Design ProductivityFeatures designed to increase productivity and reduce the number of steps needed to complete mechanical designs include:

■ Design and detailing tools, including cam and spring design and analysis, hole charts, and notes for holes and standard parts.

■ Improved workflow and compliance with company standards, including enhancements to BOMs, grouping of a Parts list, automatic scaling of Mechanical symbols, layer group support within the AutoCAD Design Center, and enhancements.

■ An intelligent, customizable layer management system that puts objects on the appropriate layers automatically. The existing layer groups enable separate handling of parts (as well as the appropriate hidden edges, hatches, dimensions, and so on).

■ Power commands which provide a single command to edit, copy (with the objects intelligence), update, or recall a previous command.

■ Double-click editing - where you can double-click any entity in AutoCAD Mechanical 6 the appropriate function needed to edit that entity is invoked.

■ Simple commands for creating geometry typically found in mechanical drawings such as centerlines and centerline crosses, symmetrical lines, section lines, break lines, and others.

■ Leveraging legacy data, with a built-in IGES translator and Save as previ-ous release support.

Production Drawing Creation ToolsAutoCAD Mechanical 6 offers tools that automate the creation of typical objects found in drawings and can reduce the time needed to complete production drawing. These features include:

■ Balloons and bills of material including support of multiple parts lists per drawing as well as features such as summation and position lists and mask editor.

■ A feature for creating detailed views at user-specified scale and location.■ Functionality for creating standard sized drawing borders and title blocks in

your drawing.■ A command for creating hole charts and charts of (X,Y) coordinates.■ Language conversion features for converting the text on a drawing into one

of 17 different languages.

Key Features in AutoCAD Mechanical 6 | 19

Dimensioning and Annotation Productivity ToolsFeatures designed to make you more productive in dimensioning and annotating your mechanical designs include

■ Power Dimension commands provide a single command to create or edit any type of angular, linear, radial, or diameter dimension including adding fits or tolerances according to any standard.

■ Automatic dimension commands add either ordinate, baseline, chain, or shaft dimensions to 2D geometry automatically.

■ A feature for quick creation of leader notes.■ Functionality for creating surface texture symbols, geometric dimensioning

and tolerances, targets, weld symbols, and other symbols commonly found in mechanical drawings.

2D Assembly Design ToolsFunctionality aimed at helping you manage detailed component drawings from a 2D assembly include

■ A 2D Hide command for performing 2D hidden line calculations based on foreground and background objects.

■ Auto Detailing functionality for creating and managing detailed drawings of individual components from an assembly drawing.

Machinery Systems GeneratorMachines that have movement required systems to transfer power and motion. AutoCAD Mechanical 6 offers the following tools to help you save time and reduce errors when designing these types of systems:

■ Shaft Generator creates shafts with commonly found features including centerholes, chamfers, cones, fillets, grooves, profiles, threads, undercuts, and wrench fittings. In addition, standard parts such as bearings, gears, retaining rings and seals, that are commonly found in shafts are also available.

■ Spring Generator calculates, selects and inserts compression, extension and/or torsion springs, and Belleville spring washers in a design. The representation type of the spring can be controlled by the user and a spec form can be created to incorporate into the drawing.

■ Belt and Chain Generator create sprockets and pulleys, calculate optimal lengths for chains and belts, and insert chain or belt elements in your design.


Calculation ToolsAutoCAD Mechanical 6 provides the following tools for saving you time with your engineering calculations, and insuring you get the design right the first time

■ Cam Generator creates cam plates and cylindrical cams given input border conditions. Velocity and acceleration, as well as the cam curve path can be calculated and displayed. Driven elements can be coupled to the cam and NC data can be created via the curve on the path.

■ Beam Calculation determines the moment of inertia and deflection of beams.

Engineering CalculationA mechanical design includes more than just proper fit and form, it also includes proper function. Insuring proper function requires incorporating Engineering know-how. AutoCAD Mechanical 6 provides the following tools for saving you time with your engineering calculations, and insuring you get the design right the first time:

■ Shaft Calculations include the deflection line, bending moment, torsion moment, supporting force, torque rotation angle, equivalent tension and safety factor for shafts with regards to influence of notches and dynamic load according to DIN 743 and ANSI.

■ Screw Pre-Calculation selects the right size screw based on given forces, materials, and methods of tightening.

■ Bearing Calculations select the right bearing based on load and life ratings.■ FEA for determining the resistance capability of an object put under a

static load. This function allows you to add movable and fixed supports to the part to be analyzed and also enter stress points, lines, and areas.

■ The Screw Calculation gives the designer a tool to check a screw connection. As a result it calculates the different safety factors. The designer can calculate high duty bolted joints with one screw.

Collaboration with Manufacturing TeamsAutoCAD Mechanical 6 provides support for Autodesk Streamline.

There is More...There are many more productivity enhancing features and functions in AutoCAD Mechanical 6. Read the next section for a command summary listing all of the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 features.

Key Features in AutoCAD Mechanical 6 | 21

Command Summary

The following is a list of the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 commands, the associated toolbutton, and a brief description of each. This list does not contain the commands for AutoCAD 2002. For more information about the commands, see the option, Commands in Alphabetical Order, in the Help.

Toolbutton Command Name Description

AM2DHIDE Hides invisible edges

AM2DHIDEDIT Edits existing hide situations

AMADJRINGS2D Creates an adjusting ring on a shaft

AMANALYSEDWG Creates a file in which the current layer structure of the drawing is written

AMASSOHATCH Suits an existing hatch to a changed contour

AMATTACHSYM Displays or attaches non-attached symbols

AMAUTOCLINES Automatically creates construction lines on selected drawing elements

AMAUTODETAIL Creates an external detail drawing (xref) of selected elements from an assembly drawing

AMAUTODIM Creates chain, baseline, ordinate in both axes, shaft, or symmetric dimensions

AMBALLOON Creates and places a balloon

AMBEARCALC Performs calculation on bearings

AMBELL2D Selects, calculates, and inserts Belleville spring washers

AMBHOLE2D Creates a standard related blind hole


AMBOM Creates a BOM database containing a list of attributes

AMBREAKATPT Breaks a line, polyline, or a spline on a specified point

AMBROUTLINE Draws a special spline to show the breakout borders

AMBSLOT2D Creates a blind slot

AMCAM Starts the cam design and calculation routine

AMCENCRANGLE Draws a centerline cross with an angle

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 a centerline cross on a plate

AMCENINBET Draws a centerline in between two lines

AMCENTERHOLE2D Creates a centerhole

AMCENTLINE Draws a centerline


Command Summary | 23

AMCHAINDRAW Draws chain or belt links

AMCHAINLENGTHCAL Determines the tangent definition between sprockets/pulleys

AMCHAM2D Bevels the edges of objects

AMCLEVISPIN2D Creates a clevis pin

AMCLINEL Locks or unlocks the construction line layer

AMCLINEO Switches construction lines on/off

AMCOMP2D Selects, calculates, and inserts compression springs.

AMCONSTLINES Draws construction lines

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

AMCOPY Makes copies of one or multiple selected objects.



AMCOTTERPIN2D Creates a cotter pin

AMCOUNTB2D Creates a standard related counterbore

AMCOUNTS2D Creates a standard related countersink

AMCRIVET2D Creates a countersunk rivet

AMCYLPIN2D Creates a cylindrical pin

AMDATUMID Creates a datum identifier symbol

AMDATUMTGT Creates and edits a datum target symbol

AMDEFLINE Calculates the deflection line or moment line of an object that has various force elements acting on it

AMDETAIL Enlarges selected parts of a drawing

AMDIMALIGN Aligns linear, rotated, aligned, ordinate, or angular dimensions that have a base dimension of the same type

AMDIMARRANGE Rearranges individual dimensions that lie along one axis, in respect to a reference point

AMDIMBREAK Creates breaks in an existing dimension

AMDIMFORMAT Modifies dimensions in drawing mode

AMDIMINSERT Edits linear, aligned, rotated, and angular dimensions by inserting new dimensions of the same type simultaneously

AMDIMJOIN Edits linear, aligned, and angular (3-point or 2-line) dimensions by joining similar dimensions into a single dimension



AMDIMMEDIT Edits multiple dimensions at the same time

AMDIMSTRETCH Shortens or lengthens linear or symmetric dimensions

AMDRBUSH2D Creates a single drill bushing

AMDRBUSHHOLE2D Creates a drill bushing and the corresponding hole

AMEDGESYM Creates edge symbols

AMEQUATEDIT Generates and organizes equations

AMERASEALLCL Erases all construction lines

AMERASECL Erases selected construction lines

AMEXT2D Selects, calculates, and insertsextension springs.

AMEXTHREAD2D Creates an external thread

AMFCFRAME Creates feature control frame symbols

AMFEA2D Calculates stress and deformation in a plane for plates with a given thickness or in a cross section with individual forces and stretching loads

AMFEATID Creates feature identifier symbols

AMFILLET2D Rounds and fillets the edges of objects

AMFITSLIST Puts existing fits and their respective dimension values into a list and inserts this fits list into your drawing



AMGROOVE2D Inserts a retaining ring/circlip with the appropriate groove in a shaft

AMGROOVESTUD2D Creates a grooved drive stud

AMHATCH_135_11 Creates a 135-degree and 11 mm/0.4 inch hatch

AMHATCH_135_2 Creates a 135-degree and 2.7 mm/0.11 inch hatch





AMHATCH_DBL Creates a double hatch of 45- and 135-degree and 2.3 mm/0.09 inch

AMHELP Displays the online help

AMHOLECHART Creates coordinate dimensions for holes in a work piece and generates hole charts

AMINERTIA Carries out the following tasks: center of gravity, directions of the main axes moment, moments of inertia, effective moment of inertia, deflection angle

AMINERTIAPROF Calculates the moment of inertia for cross sections of cylinders, hollow cylinders, rectangular prisms, or hollow rectangular prisms

AMJOIN Joins different entities

AMLANGCONV Translates text strings in your drawing into another language



AMLANGTEXT Displays and uses text from the Language Converter

AMLAYER Manages the layer system

AMLAYINVO Switches invisible lines on/off

AMLAYMOVE Moves lines to another layer

AMLAYMOVEPL Moves lines to parts layers

AMLAYMOVEWL Moves lines to working layers

AMLAYPARTO Switches standard parts on/off

AMLAYPARTREFO Switches part reference on/off

AMLAYRESET Resets all layers

AMLAYTIBLO Switches the border and title block on/off

AMLAYVISENH Specifies the layer group setting during a working session

AMLAYVPO Switches viewports on/off

AMLGMOVE Moves elements in a selection set to a specific layer group

AMLIBRARY Displays the Library dialog box

AMLUBRI2D Creates a lubricator

AMMCONTV Makes a contour visible



AMMIGRATEBB Converts infopoints, position numbers, and parts lists (on a drawing) from Genius 13/Genius 14 to AutoCAD Mechanical 2002 format

AMMIGRATESYM Converts all symbols from Genius 13/14 to AutoCAD Mechanical 2002 format

AMNOTE Describes holes and fits, and creates notes to the drawing with a leader

AMNUT2D Creates a nut

AMOFFSET Creates new objects at specified distances from an existing object or through a specified point

AMOPTIONS Sets configurations

AMPARTLIST Creates and places a parts list in a drawing

AMPARTREF Creates part references

AMPARTREFEDIT Edits part reference data

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

AMPLRIVET2D Creates a plain rivet

AMPLUG2D Creates a plug

AMPOWERCOPY Copies an object with its internal information to another position in the drawing

AMPOWERDIM Creates dimensions, or assigns tolerances or fits to any of these dimensions



AMPOWERDIM_ANG Creates angular dimensions, or assigns tolerances or fits to dimension

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

AMPOWERVIEW Creates top or side views of standard parts

AMPROJO Creates a projection crosshairs used for creating orthographic views

AMPSNAP1 Sets user-defined snap settings on tab 1




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

AMPSNAPVINT Snaps to a virtual intersection point of two lines

AMPSNAPZO Switches snapping of the Z coordinate on or off

AMRECTANG Creates a rectangle by defining its starting and endpoint

AMREFCLOSE Saves REFEDIT working set changes

AMREFCOPY Copies objects from other blocks to the REFEDIT working set

AMRESCALE Rescales dimensions and symbols in model and layout

AMREV Switches revision lists on or off

AMREVLINE Inserts a revision list into a drawing or adds an additional revision line to an existing revision list

AMREVUPDATE Updates revision lists

AMROLBEAR2D Inserts a radial or axial roller bearing on a shaft or in a housing

AMSCALEXY Allows scaling for entities in X and Y direction

AMSCAREA Creates a scale area in model space

AMSCMONITOR Views and edits the scale of scale areas or viewports

AMSCREW2D Creates a screw or bolt



AMSCREWCALC Checks a screw connection

AMSCREWCON2D Opens the Screw Connection dialog box

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/O-ring with the appropriate groove in a shaft

AMSECTIONLINE Creates cutting plane lines

AMSETUPDWG Sets up a drawing

AMSHAFT2D Creates rotationally symmetric shaft parts and inner and outer shaft contours

AMSHAFTCALC Calculates deflection line, bending moment, torsion moment, supporting force, torque rotation angle, equivalent tension, and the safety factor of shafts

AMSHAFTEND Creates a zigzag line, a free-hand line, or loop to represent a shaft end

AMSHAFTKEY2D Inserts a parallel or woodruff key with the appropriate keyseat in a shaft

AMSHAFTLNUT2D Creates a shaft lock nut including the lock washer and inserts both in a shaft

AMSHIMRING2D Creates a shim ring on a shaft

AMSIMPLEWELD Creates seam and fillet simple welds



AMSPROCKET Draws sprockets or pulleys

AMSTDPLIB Opens the Parts Database dialog box for editing and selection

AMSTDPREP Changes the representation of a standard part

AMSTLSHAP2D Creates a steel shape

AMSTYLEITAL Changes the text style to italic

AMSTYLESIMP Changes the text style to simplex

AMSTYLESTAND Changes the text style to standard

AMSTYLETXT Changes the text style to TXT

AMSURFSYM Creates surface texture symbols

AMSYMLEADER Appends/removes a leader

AMSYMLINE Draws symmetrical lines

AMTAPBHOLE2D Creates a standard related tapped blind hole

AMTAPERPIN2D Creates a taper pin

AMTAPTHOLE2D Creates a standard related tapped through hole

AMTBFULL Displays the Mechanical Toolbar at the left side and the Snap Toolbar at the right side

AMTBLEFT Places the Mechanical Express Toolbar at the left side



AMTBRIGHT Places the Mechanical Express Toolbar at the right side

AMTEXT3 Inserts mtext with 3.5 mm height

AMTEXT5 Inserts mtext with 5 mm height

AMTEXT7 Inserts mtext with 7 mm height

AMTEXTCENT Centers text horizontally and vertically

AMTEXTHORIZ Centers text horizontally

AMTEXTRIGHT Aligns mtext to the right

AMTEXTSIZE Sets text to its default size in model space and layout, and defines a height for an inserted text

AMTHOLE2D Creates a standard related through hole

AMTHREADEND2D Creates a thread end

AMTITLE Inserts a title block and a drawing border

AMTOR2D Selects, calculates, and inserts torsion springs.

AMTRCONT Traces contours on construction lines

AMTSLOT2D Creates a standard related through slot.

AMUBHOLE2D Creates a user-defined blind hole



AMUBSLOT2D Creates a user-defined blind slot

AMUCOUNTB2D Creates a user-defined counterbore

AMUCOUNTS2D Creates a user-defined countersink

AMUNDERCUT2D Creates an undercut on a shaft

AMUSERHATCH Inserts a user-defined hatch

AMUTHOLE2D Creates a user-defined through hole

AMUTSLOT2D Creates a user-defined slot

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

AMVIEWUL Zooms the predefined upper-left quarter of the drawing

AMVIEWUR Zooms the predefined upper-right quarter of the drawing

AMVPORT Creates a viewport in layout

AMVPORTAUTO Creates viewports automatically

AMVPZOOMALL Resets the viewports to the default scale factor



AMWASHER2D Creates a washer

AMWELDSYM Creates welding symbols

AMXREFSET Controls the representation of xrefs

AMZIGZAGLINE Draws zigzag lines

AMZOOMVP Displays a selected area in another viewport



In This Chapter

New and Revised Commands

3■ New and Revised Commands

■ New functions

This chapter contains information about the new and

revised commands and functions in AutoCAD®

Mechanical 6.

37

New and Revised Command Summary

AutoCAD Mechanical 6 includes a number of new commands and commands revised from the previous version. This is an overview of the most important changes in AutoCAD Mechanical 6.

For more information about new features, see “ Key Features in AutoCAD Mechanical 6” on page 18.

AMBALLOON

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ Balloons

Command AMBALLOON

■ Improved collection of different balloon types.

AMBELL2D

Menu Content ➤ Springs

Command AMBELL2D

■ Spring selection from Standard Parts Database.■ Every spring type has its own command.■ New user interface.■ Changed insertion sequence for simplified handling.■ Former spring blocks changed to custom entities.

Creates and places balloons.

Selects, calculates, and inserts Belleville spring washers.

38 | Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands

AMBOM

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ BOM Database

Command AMBOM

■ Grouped by functionality in Parts List.■ Item number enhancement (text, increment, leading zero)■ Set values improvement (ascending text for item).■ Grid lines on/off.■ Improved cuts list creation.

AMCAM

Menu Content ➤ Cams

Command AMCAM

■ Completely new User Interface.■ Supports circular, cylindrical, and linear cams.■ Supports follower design and calculation.■ Enables strength calculations of the cam.■ Supports polynominals, not only fifth degree.■ Calculation of various motion curves is possible.■ Generates 3D solids for 3D representation of the cam.■ Enhanced export functions.

AMCOMP2D


Command AMSPRING

■ Spring selection from Standard Parts Database.■ Every spring type has it’s own command.■ New user interface.■ Changed insertion sequence for simplified handling.■ Former spring blocks changed to custom entities.

Creates a BOM database containing a list of attributes.

Calculates various cams.

Selects, calculates, and inserts compression springs.

New and Revised Command Summary | 39

AMEXT2D


Command AMEXT2D


AMHOLECHART

Menu Annotate ➤ Hole Chart

Command AMHOLECHART

■ New, and improved user interface.■ Changed hole chart from block to custom entities.■ Migration of Genius hole chart to AutoCAD Mechanical 6 hole chart.■ Hole chart is standard dependent.■ Allows user-defined modifications of hole charts.

AMMANIPULATE

Menu Modify ➤ Power Manipulator

Command AMMANIPULATE

■ User-friendly, modeless dialog.■ Supports tooltips.■ Redesigned Properties dialog.

Selects, calculates, and inserts extension springs.

Creates coordinate dimensions for holes in a work piece and generates hole charts.

Dynamically moves and rotates selected geometry along/around the X, Y, Z axes.


AMNOTE

Menu Annotate ➤ Note

Command AMNOTE

■ New dialog, which displays all variables of features.■ Can be attached to all features (standard parts, holes, and so on).■ Allows the creation of templates specific to a feature type.■ Simplified insertion of special characters.■ Applying of different dimension styles is possible.

AMOPTIONS

Menu Assist ➤ Mechanical Options

Command AMOPTIONS

■ New, Hole Chart entry in Standard Settings.■ Note Template added to Mechanical Options.

AMPARTLIST

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ Parts List

Command AMPARTLIST

■ New Grouping tool, which compares items by key definitions and groups them according to the selection.

■ Parts List allows different increments.■ Grid lines on/off.■ Item columns can be changed from numeric entries to text entries.

Describes holes and fits, and creates notes to the drawing with a leader.

Sets the configuration

Creates and places a parts list in a drawing.

New and Revised Command Summary | 41

AMSTLSHAP2D

Menu Content ➤ Steel Shapes

Command AMSTLSHAP2D

■ Simplified representation of 2D steel shapes.

AMTOR2D


Command AMTOR


SAVEAS

Menu File ➤ SaveAs

Command SAVEAS

■ Allows saving of a AutoCAD Mechanical 6 file format to a AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i format.

Creates a 2D steel shape.

Selects, calculates, and inserts torsion springs.

Saves a file into a different file format.


Part IIAutoCAD®

Mechanical 6Tutorials

The tutorials in this section teach you how to use the AutoCAD Mechanical 6 software. The

lessons include step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations.

You learn how to work with templates and layers, model space and layouts, dimensions,

steel shapes and bills of material (BOMs) and parts lists. You also calculate moments of iner-

tia and deflection lines, including chain, spring and cam calculation. You will also learn

how to prepare your designs for final documentation. Specific drawing files for each lesson

are included with the program. These drawing files provide design elements that help you

understand and learn AutoCAD Mechanical 6 concepts.

43

In This Chapter

Working with Templates

4■ Setting up the starting layer

■ Setting the mechanical options

■ Specifying the drawing limits

■ Saving a template

■ Using a template

■ Setting a default template

In this tutorial, you learn about the predefined

templates and how to create your own user-defined

templates in AutoCAD® Mechanical 6.

45

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.

layer group A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and a complete component. The drawing and its overview are enhanced with a reduction in regeneration time.

part layers A layer where the standard parts are put. All standard parts layers have the suffix AM_*N.

template A file with predefined settings to use for new drawings; however, any drawing can be used as a template.

working layer The layer where you are currently working.

46 | Chapter 4 Working with Templates

Working with Templates

In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can use templates (*.dwt files) to create drawings.

You can use the predefined templates, which contain settings for various drawings, such as am_iso.dwt or am_ansi.dwt, and are supplied with AutoCAD Mechanical or you can create your own templates. Any drawing can serve as a template. When you use a drawing as a template, the settings in that drawing are used in the new drawing.

Although you can save any drawing as a template, you should prepare tem-plates to include settings and drawing elements that are consistent with your office or project standards such as the following

■ unit type and precision■ drawing limits■ snap, grid, and ortho settings■ layer organization■ title blocks, borders, and logos■ dimension and text styles■ linetypes and lineweights

If you start a drawing from scratch, AutoCAD Mechanical reads the system defaults, which have a predefined standard, from the registry.

If you create a new drawing, based on an existing template, and make changes to the drawing, those changes do not affect the template.

To begin working with templates immediately, you can use the predefined template files stored in the acadm\template folder.

However, for this tutorial you will create your own template.

The new AutoCAD Today dialog is also covered in this tutorial. For more information about the AutoCAD Today dialog, please see the AutoCAD man-ual.

Setting up the Starting Layer

Each time you start AutoCAD Mechanical, layer 0 is active. Since layer 0 does not belong to the Mechanical layers, it is not displayed in the Layer Control dialog box of AutoCAD Mechanical, if you select Mechanical Layer in the Show field.

Therefore, you need to specify the mechanical layer AM_0 as the default starting layer.

Working with Templates | 47

To specify a starting layer

1 Start the Layer Control command.

Menu Assist ➤ Layer / Layergroup ➤ Layer/Layer Group Control

Command AMLAYER

2 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Control tab, select the layer AM_0 and choose Current.

3 Choose OK.

Now, the layer AM_0 is active as you can see in the toolbar:

Setting the Mechanical Options

In the Mechanical Options dialog box, you can specify general settings for AutoCAD Mechanical.


To set the mechanical options

1 Start the Mechanical Options command.


Command AMOPTIONS

2 In the Mechanical Options dialog box, choose the Standards tab, and specify:

Standard: ISOMeasurement: MetricScale: 1:1

3 Choose OK.

NOTE All settings in this dialog, which are stored in the drawing (template) are marked with this icon: All standard related settings are listed in the right section.

Specifying the Drawing Limits

Now, 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.

Menu Assist ➤ Format ➤ Drawing Limits

Command LIMITS

2 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0.00,0.00>: Press ENTERSpecify upper right corner <420.00,297.00>: Enter 840,1188

Now, the limits are expanded to A0 format.

Saving a Template

Save the previously changed drawing as a template.

To save a template

1 Start the Save As command.

Menu File ➤ Save As

Command SAVEAS

2 In the Save Drawing As dialog box, specify:

Files of type: AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Drawing Template File (*.dwt)File name: my_own_template

Choose Save.


3 In the Template Description dialog box, specify:

Description: Tutorial TemplateMeasurement: Metric

Choose OK.

4 Close the drawing.

Menu File ➤ Close

Command CLOSE

Using a Template

Now, start a new drawing and use the previously created template.

To open a template

1 Start the New command.

Menu File ➤ New

Command NEW

2 In the AutoCAD Today dialog box, in the section My Drawings, select the Create Drawings tab.

From the Select how to begin list, select Template and choose Browse.


3 In the Open dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and choose Open.

Now, you start the new drawing, using the settings of the previously saved template.

Setting a Default Template

Now, you specify your template as the default template.

To set a default template

1 Start the Mechanical Options command.


Command AMOPTIONS


2 In the Mechanical Options dialog box, choose the Standards tab, and choose Browse.

3 In the Open dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and choose Open.

4 In the Mechanical Options dialog box, choose OK.

The template my_own_template will be used as default template from now on.

NOTE The default template is used, if a drawing does not contain any AutoCAD Mechanical configuration. If a drawing already contains AutoCAD Mechanical configuration data or a new drawing has been created using an AutoCAD Mechanical template, the default template does not effect these set-tings.

Now, you are at the end of this tutorial chapter.


In This Chapter

Working with Layers and Layer Groups

5■ Changing a layer by selecting

objects

■ Creating layer groups

■ Using a layer group to copy objects

In this tutorial, you learn more about the various com-

mands used for working with layers and layer groups in

AutoCAD® Mechanical 6.

55

Key Terms

Term Definition


layer group A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and a complete component. The drawing and its overview is enhanced with a reduction in regeneration time.

part layers The layer where the standard parts are put. All standard parts layers have the suffix AM_*N.

working layer The layer where you are working.

56 | Chapter 5 Working with Layers and Layer Groups

Working with Layers and Layer Groups

Layers and their colors can be customized and renamed according to your needs using the Mechanical Options dialog box > Layer / Object Settings. See the Online help for further information on this topic.

■ Layer 0 is a default layer and not a mechanical layer, because this layer has special properties (by block). If you want to have these special properties available, just rename for example layer AM_0 to 0 in the Mechanical Options.

■ Because AutoCAD 2000 always starts with Layer 0, we recommend using template files, where layer AM_0 is always the starting layer.

■ If you move elements on layer 0 to other layer groups, you are asked if you always want to move the elements on layer group layergroupname-AM_0.

Getting Started

Open the initial drawing.

To open a drawing

1 Open the file tut_ex02 in the acadm\tutorial folder.

Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

2 Zoom in to the area of interest.

Menu View ➤ Zoom ➤ Window

Command ZOOM

Working with Layers and Layer Groups | 57


Specify first corner: Specify first point (1)Specify opposite corner: Specify second point (2)

Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve the original tutorial file.

Changing a Layer By Selecting Objects

First, you move the layer (and layer group) containing two objects to another layer (and layer group) by selecting an object in the aforementioned layer (and layer group).


To change a layer by selecting an object

1 Start the Move to another Layer command.

Menu Modify ➤ Properties ➤ Move to another Layer

Command AMLAYMOVE


Select objects: Specify the centerlines of the differential gear (1, 2)Select objects: Press ENTERSpecify new layer using object, layer field or keyboard (RETURN for dialog):

Specify the engine centerline (3)

The centerlines of the differential gear are moved to the layer and layer group of the engine centerline.

Save your file.

Creating Layer Groups

Layer groups provide an easy and intelligent way to structure assembly drawings. Using layer groups enables you to highlight single parts and lock and freeze whole parts. This gives you a better overview of your assembly drawing.

First, you move a block to a layer group.


To move a block to a layer group

1 Start the Move to Another Group command.

Menu Modify ➤ Properties ➤ Move to another Layer Group

Command AMLGMOVE


Select objects: Specify the gear (1)Select objects: Press ENTER

3 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Create button, and create a new layer group called Gear. Choose OK.


4 In the AutoCAD dialog box, choose Yes.

The complete block is moved to the layer group Gear.

5 In the Named Block dialog box, choose Yes.

Now, you create two new layer groups and move the parts (blocks) to those groups.

To create a new layer group

1 Start the Layer Group Control command.


Command AMLAYER

2 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Group Control tab, and choose Create. Enter Coverplate for the layer group name.

3 Choose Create again, and create a layer group called Bushing. Choose OK.



Menu Modify ➤ Properties ➤ Move to another Layer Group.

Command AMLGMOVE


Select objects: Specify the coverplate (1)Select objects: Press ENTER

6 In the Layer Control dialog box, select the layer group Coverplate, and choose OK.




Now, move the bushing to the new Bushing layer group.

To move elements to another layer group


Menu Modify ➤ Properties ➤ Move to another Layer Group

Command AMLGMOVE


Select objects: Specify the bushing (1)Select objects: Press ENTER

3 In the Layer Control dialog box, select the layer group Bushing, and choose OK.




The coverplate and the bushing have now been moved to their respective layer groups.

Save your file.

Using a Layer Group to Copy Objects

Now, copy the objects of the layer group Shaft to a new drawing border.

To copy objects of a layer group

1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.

Menu View ➤ Zoom ➤ Extents

Command ZOOM

2 Start the Visibility Enhancement command.

Menu Assist ➤ Layer / Layergroup ➤ Visibility Enhancement

Command AMLAYVISENH

3 In the Visibility Enhancement dialog box, specify:

Mode: Color all Inactive Layer Groups

4 Choose OK.

NOTE For a correct representation, it could be necessary to start the Regen command.

5 Start the Layer Group Control command.


Command AMLAYER


6 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Group Control tab, and select the layer group Shaft. Choose the Current button, and then choose OK.

NOTE You can activate the layer group Shaft with a double-click, too.

Now copy the layer group Shaft to the second drawing border.

7 Start the Copy command, responding to the prompt.

Menu Modify ➤ Copy

Command COPY

Select objects: Select the Layer Group


8 Select the layer group.


Command AMLAYER

In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Group Control tab, and select the layer group Shaft. Choose the Selection Set button.

9 In the AutoCAD dialog box, choose OK.

10 Choose OK.



Select objects: Press ENTERSpecify base point or displacement, or [Multiple]: Specify a point on the shaftSpecify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>:

Specify another point in the drawing border on the right

Now, the second drawing border looks like this:

This is the end of the tutorial chapter.

Save your file.


In This Chapter

Designing Levers

6■ Using the library to insert a part

■ Preliminary settings: snap configuration

■ Creating construction lines

■ Creating additional construction lines

■ Creating a contour and applying a fillet

■ Creating a contour and trimming projecting edges

■ Cross-hatching the lever

■ Dimensioning the lever

■ Creating a detail and additional dimensions

In this tutorial, you start with a lever inserted from the

parts library, and then you refine the design. You use

many of the design options available in AutoCAD®

Mechanical 6. You also create a drawing detail and add

some dimensions.

69

Key Terms

Term Definition

construction lines Lines, which are infinite in both directions or rays, which are infinite starting at a point that can be inserted into the drawing area. You use construction lines to transfer important points (for example, center points of holes) into other views or drawing areas.

construction geometry A line or an arc created with construction lines. Using construction geometry in 2D drawings helps define the shape of a contour.

detail A portion of a design drawing that cannot be clearly displayed or dimensioned in the overall representation (surface texture symbols) but can be enlarged to show the details.

distance snap To give the dimensions in a drawing a uniform appearance, Power Dimensioning and Automatic Dimensioning enable automatic insertion of the dimension line at a defined distance from the object being dimensioned. While dragging the dimension line dynamically, you will find that it remains “fixed” 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. The icon is put in the display section on the right side of the dialog box along with an assigned name.

Power Command A collective term for the Power Copy, Power Recall, Power Edit, Power Dimensioning, Power Erase, and Power View commands.

Power Dimensioning Power Dimensioning is a very useful tool for generating linear, radial and diameter dimensions, which minimizes the number of the individual actions required while generating a dimension. Power Dimensioning selects the type of linear dimension (horizontal, vertical, or aligned), based on the selected point, and the dimensions of the drawing can have a uniform style using the distance snap.

70 | Chapter 6 Designing Levers

Extending the Design

First, you start a new drawing template with ISO standard. Then you load the initial drawing using the Library.

To open a template

1 Open a new drawing.

Menu File ➤ New

Command NEW

The AutoCAD Today dialog box opens.

2 In the Today dialog box, in the section My Drawings, choose the tab Create Drawings and select the template am_iso.dwt.

This opens a new drawing template. Now you insert the drawing from the library.

Using the Library to Insert Parts

Insert the required part from the library.

Extending the Design | 71

To insert a drawing from the library

1 Start the Library.

Menu Insert ➤ Library

Command AMLIBRARY

2 Double-click the tut_ex03 file in the Library, or select Insert from the context menu.

3 Respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Specify any point in the drawing

4 Start the Zoom Window command, responding to the prompt.


Command ZOOM

Specify first corner: Specify first corner (1)Specify opposite corner: Specify opposite corner (2)



Preliminary Settings: Snap Configuration

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 set-tings, which can be configured separately for a quick switch to a different snap setting. For example, you can use different snap settings for detailing or general design.

NOTE The snap defaults can be set in the Mechanical Options dialog at the Preferences tab.

Before starting the design, you should define the object snaps, which you will use in later operations.


To configure the Power Snap settings

1 Start the Power Snap settings.

Menu Assist ➤ Drafting Settings ➤ Power Snap Settings 1-4

Command AMPOWERSNAP

2 In the Power Snap Settings dialog box, specify:

Setting 1: Endpoint, IntersectionSetting 2: Endpoint, Center, Quadrant, Intersection, ParallelSetting 3: Perpendicular

3 After configuring the settings, activate Setting 1, and choose OK.

Save your file.

NOTE Within a command, the various object snap functions are also accessible. Hold down the SHIFT key, and right-click.

Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines)

Construction lines are very useful when you start your design process. With their help, you draw some kind of a design grid with your defined values for distance and angles. After generating the design grid, you simply trace your contour with the contour layer.

Now insert the construction lines, which will help with the drawing of con-tour lines.


To create construction lines

1 Start the Draw Construction Lines command.

Menu Design ➤ Construction Lines ➤ Draw Construction Lines

Command AMCONSTCRS

If you have started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines dialog box opens. If you started the command directly using the toolbar or the command line, you can skip step 2.

2 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Cross icon.


Specify insertion point: Specify the intersection of line b and line c (1)Specify insertion point: Press ENTER

4 Next, draw two lines parallel to the vertical and horizontal lines of the con-struction line cross.



Command AMCONSTPAR

If you started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines dialog box is displayed.


6 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Parallel with Full Distance icon.


Select line, ray or xline: Select line c (1)Specify insertion point or Distance (xx|xx|xx..) <10|20|30>: Enter 3|9Specify point on side to offset: Specify a point to the left of line c (2)

8 Insert the second set of parallel lines, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Select line, ray or xline: Select line bSpecify insertion point or Distance (xx|xx|xx..) <3|9>: Enter 4.5|9.5Specify point on side to offset: Specify a point below line b (2)

9 Press ENTER.

Save your file.


Creating additional C-Lines

AutoCAD Mechanical offers a choice of C-line options.

To create additional construction lines

1 Activate snap setting 2.

Menu Assist ➤ Drafting Settings ➤ Power Snap Configuration 2

Command AMPSNAP2



Command AMCONSTHB

If you started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines dialog box is displayed.

3 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Two Points or Angle icon.



Specify first point: Select the first point (1)Specify second point or Angle (xx|xx|xx..) <30|45|60>: Move the cursor over line a

and then back to the rectangle. When the Parallel symbol appears, click (2).

5 Press ENTER to finish the command.

Now, you draw tangential circles between the diagonal C-line and the right vertical line and lower horizontal line of the rectangle.



Command AMCONSTKR

7 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Circle Tangent to 2 Lines icon.


8 Draw the two circles by responding to the prompts as follows:

Select first tangent: Select tangent point (1)Select second tangent: Select tangent point (2)Specify diameter: Enter 2Select first tangent: Select tangent point (3)Select second tangent: Select tangent point (4)Specify diameter <2>: Enter 2

9 Press ENTER to end the command.

All construction lines have been inserted, and the contour can be generated.

Save your file.

Creating a Contour and Applying a Fillet

Now, you connect the two tangential circles with the right part of the rect-angle, to build a filleted triangle.

To create and edit a contour

1 Start the Polyline command.

Menu Design ➤ Polyline

Command PLINE


2 Create the contour by responding to the prompts as follows:

Specify start point: Specify the intersection point (1)Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:

Specify next point (2)Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Enter ASpecify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second pt/Undo/Width]: Specify next point (3)Specify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second pt/Undo/Width]: Enter LSpecify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:

Specify next point (4)Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Enter ASpecify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second pt/Undo/Width]: Specify next point (5)Specify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second pt/Undo/Width]: Enter CL

Now, erase the C-Lines. You can erase all C-lines by calling one command.


3 Erase all C-Lines.

Menu Modify ➤ Erase ➤ Erase all Construction Lines

Command AMERASEALLCL

NOTE You can switch construction lines on and off temporarily by choosing Assist > Layer / Layergroup > Construction Line On/Off.

4 Apply a fillet to the corner of the triangle.

Menu Modify ➤ Fillet

Command AMFILLET2D


(Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 2.5Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension] <Setup>: Press ENTER

6 In the Fillet Radius dialog box, specify:

Input: 1Trim Mode: On

Choose OK.



(Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 1Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension] <Setup>: Enter PSelect polyline: Select a point on the polyline near the corner

8 Press ESC to cancel the command.

The triangular contour is complete.

Save your file.

Creating a Contour and Trimming Projecting Edges

Now, you create another part of the contour and trim projecting edges.

To create and edit a contour

1 Activate Power Snap Setting 3 command.


Command AMPSNAP3

Next, insert the next contour.

2 Start the Line command.

Menu Design ➤ Line

Command LINE



Specify first point: Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click, and choose Intersection_int of: Select line a (1)and: Select intersection on line b (2)Specify next point or [Undo]: Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click, and choose

Perpendicular. Then trace over line e, and click the perpendicular point (3)Specify next point or [Undo]:

Drag the cursor to the right, crossing over line c, and select intersection point (4)Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: Press ENTER

Now, trim the projecting edges at the upper edge of the lever.

4 Start the Trim command.

Menu Modify ➤ Trim

Command TRIM


Current settings: Projection = UCS, Edge = NoneSelect cutting edges:Select Objects: Select cutting edge (1)Select Objects: Select cutting edge (2)Select Objects: Press ENTERSelect object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]:

Select object to trim (3)Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]:

Select object to trim (4)Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]:

Press ENTER


6 Zoom to the extents of the lever.


Command ZOOM

The contour is complete and looks like this:

Save your file.

Cross-Hatching the Lever

Cross-hatching is easy with AutoCAD Mechanical. Just choose one of the pre-defined cross-hatching styles, and click a point within the contour to be hatched.


To hatch a contour

1 Start the Hatch command, using an angle of 45 degrees and 2.5 mm / 0.1 inch spacing.

Menu Design ➤ Hatch ➤ Hatch 45 deg. 2.5mm/0.1 inch

Command AMHATCH_45_2


Select additional boundary or point in area to be hatched or [Select objects]: Click a point inside the contour (outside the cutouts)

The lever is hatched. It looks like this:

Save your file.

Dimensioning the Lever

Now, dimension the lever, using the Power Dimensioning command.


To dimension a contour

1 Start the Power Snap Setting 1 command.


Command AMPSNAP1

2 Start the Power Dimensioning command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Power Dimensioning

Command AMPOWERDIM


(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin or [Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Select the first corner point of the lever opening (1)

Specify second extension line origin: Select the second corner point (2)Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:

Drag the dimension line to the left until it is highlighted in red, and left-click (3)

4 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click the Add Tolerance icon and specify:

Deviation: Upper: 0.1Deviation: Lower: 0Precision: Primary: 1

Choose OK.


5 Press ENTER twice to finish the command.

The lever looks like this:

Save your file.

Creating a Detail and Additional Dimensions

Now, define a detail of the upper part of the lever.


To create a detail

1 Start the Detail command.

Menu Design ➤ Detail

Command AMDETAIL


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 and click (2)

3 In the Detail dialog box, specify:

Detail View: Detail in Current Space


4 Choose OK, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Place the detail view: Select a location to the right of the lever

NOTE Some entities such as dimensions and symbols are automatically fil-tered out in the detail function.

Now, add a dimension to the detail.

5 Start the Power Dimensioning command.


Command AMPOWERDIM



(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin or[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Press ENTER

Select arc, line, circle or dimension: Select the radius (1)

7 Select an appropriate position for the dimension.

8 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click the tolerances button to deac-tivate the tolerances and choose OK.



Now, your lever looks like this:

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 related to the standard.

This is the end of this tutorial chapter.

Save your file.


In This Chapter

Working with Model Space and Layouts

7■ Creating a scale area

■ Creating a detail

■ Generating a new viewport

■ Inserting a user through hole

■ Creating a subassembly in a new layout

In this tutorial, you learn to create scale areas and

viewports as well as detail views in model space and in

the layout in AutoCAD® Mechanical 6.

93

Key Terms

Term Definition


detail Enlargement of a portion of the design drawing that cannot be clearly displayed or dimensioned. The overall representation (surface texture symbols, etc.) can be enlarged.

drawing A layout of drawing views in model space or layout.

layer group A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and a complete component. The drawing and its overview are enhanced by reduction in regeneration time.

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 actions while generating a dimension. Power Dimensioning automatically selects the type of the linear dimension (horizontal, vertical, aligned), based on the selected point.

scale area Defines the scale for an area of the drawing.

scale monitor A function to view and control the scale for any scale area.

viewport A scaled view of the model defined in a layout.

view scale The scale of a base drawing relative to the model scale. Also, the scale of dependent views relative to the base view.

working layer The layer where you are currently working.

94 | Chapter 7 Working with Model Space and Layouts

Working with Model Space and Layouts

Using model space and layouts, you can create different views with different scales from the same model. The main advantage of working with layouts is that views are associative; that is, if you make changes in one viewport, those changes are made in all other viewports as well, since each viewport is just another view of the same model.

Getting Started

In this tutorial, you work with viewports. You generate an associative detail and create a subassembly drawing.

To open a file


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains parts of a four-stroke engine.


Creating a Scale Area

To generate correct views with correct zoom factors in a layout, you must define a scale area in model space.

First, create the scale area.

To create a scale area

1 Start the Viewport/Scale Area command.

Menu View ➤ Viewports ➤ Viewport/Scale Area

Command AMSCAREA


Define the border ...Specify first point or [Circle/Object]: Specify the first corner point (1)Specify second point: Specify the second corner point (2)

Working with Model Space and Layouts | 95

3 In the Scale Area dialog box, specify:

Scale: 1:1

4 Choose OK.

In the next step, you use Viewport Auto Create to create a viewport automat-ically.


To create a viewport automatically

Here, the viewport will be created, because of the defined scale area.

1 Start the Viewport Auto Create command.

Menu View ➤ Viewports ➤ Viewport Auto Create

Command AMVPORTAUTO


Enter layout name (<Return> for “Layout1”): Press ENTERSelect target position (<Return> for current position): Place the viewport on the left, inside the drawing border

Save your file.


Creating a Detail

There are two types of details, associative and non-associative. In this exer-cise, you create an associative detail, because you use a viewport.

Create an associative detail of the valve.

To create a detail

1 Start the Detail command.

Menu Design ➤ Detail

Command AMDETAIL

The viewport is activated automatically.


Define the enlargement area for the detail ...Center of circle or [Rectangle/Object]: Select the center of the detail (3)Specify radius or [Diameter]: Drag the radius to the desired size (4)

3 In the Detail dialog box, specify the settings shown below.

4 Choose OK.


Select target position (<Return> for current position):Place the detail to the right of the current viewport


Save your file.

Generating a New Viewport

Now, you create a viewport inside a layout.

To create a viewport in the layout



Command AMVPORT


Specify first point or [Circle/Border/Object]:Select the point, marked with 5 in the drawing (not in the model)

Specify second point: Select the point, marked with 6 in the drawing (not in the model)


3 In the View dialog box, specify:

Scale: 5:1

4 Choose Midpoint <.

The drawing is changed to model space so that you can define the midpoint.

5 Select the endpoint of the centerline, as shown below.

6 In the View dialog box, choose OK.


Now, your drawing looks like this:

Save your file.

Inserting a User Through Hole

To demonstrate the main advantage of working with layouts, you will insert a user through hole in the housing. Notice that this change is immediately displayed in every view.

Now, insert a user through hole in the previously created viewport.

To insert a through hole

1 Activate the previously created viewport.

Command MSPACE

The viewport has a thick (highlighted) frame.

2 Start the Through Hole command.

Menu Content ➤ Holes ➤ Through Holes

Command AMTHOLE2D


3 In the Select a Through Hole dialog box, choose User Through Holes - Front View.


Specify insertion point: Hold down the SHIFT key and right-click. Choose Midpoint from the shortcut menu.

Specify insertion point: _mid of Select the midpoint of the housing (1)Specify hole length: Select the endpoint of the hole (2)


5 In the User Through Holes - Nominal Diameter dialog box, specify:

Nominal Diameter: 8

6 Choose Finish.

The user through hole is inserted into your drawing. Now, the drawing looks like this:

Because of the associativity, the through hole created in the viewport appears in the original view as well.

In the next step, you dimension the through hole diameter in the viewport. Since the dimension is to appear only in the detail view, you generate the dimension directly in the layout without having a viewport active.


To apply a dimension in the layout

1 Change to the layout.

Command PSPACE

2 Start the Power Dimensioning command


Command AMPOWERDIM


(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin for [Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <Select>:

Select the first edge of the hole (1)Specify second extension line origin: Select the second edge of the hole (2)Specify dimension line location [Options/Pickobj]:

Drag the dimension line to the right until it is highlighted in red and left-click (3)


4 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, choose OK.

5 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows:

(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin or [Angular/Options/Baseline/ Chain/Update] <Select>: Press ENTER

Select arc, line, circle or dimension: Press ENTER

Now, the viewport looks like this:

NOTE You can also dimension the hole in model space and turn off the layer of one specific viewport. But the dimension text will only be correct in the 1:1 viewport and not in the detail view. Therefore, you can dimension directly on the layout.

Save your file.


Creating a Subassembly in a New Layout

If you use layer groups in your assembly drawing, you can easily create detail and subassembly drawings in layouts. You can switch off selected layer groups in the viewports, so that only the detail or subassembly is visible.

Now, create an associative view of a subassembly in layout 2.

To create an associative view of a subassembly

1 Change to layout 2, by selecting the Layout 2 tab on the bottom of your drawing area.



Command AMVPORT


Specify first point or [Circle/Border/Object]: Select drawing point 7Specify second point: Select drawing point 8

4 In the View dialog box, specify:

Scale: 5:1

5 Choose Midpoint<.

The drawing is changed to model space.

6 Specify the point, as shown in the following drawing:


7 In the View dialog box, choose OK.

The viewport is created. It looks like this:

Other objects are still visible around the subassembly. You use the Layer Control command to hide them.


To hide objects

1 Start the Layer Group Control.


Command AMLAYER

2 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Group Control tab.

NOTE Steps 3 to 5 wouldn’t be necessary in our case, because we have only one viewport in the layout, but are described to show the proceeding if you have more than one viewport in the layout.

3 Move the cursor to the icon in the column Viewport Control of the layer group SUBASSEMBLY1, and right-click.

4 In the context menu, choose Select Viewports.


Select viewports: Select the viewport frameSelect viewports: Press ENTER

The Layer Control dialog box is displayed.


6 In the Layer Control dialog box, move the cursor to the icon in the Viewport control column and the Base Layer Group row, and click.

Choose OK.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2001 freezes the Base Layer Group, and the subassem-bly remains visible. Your drawing looks like this:


Now, you can finish your detail drawing with text, remarks, annotations, and so on.

NOTE When you plot the drawing, the red viewport frame is turned off auto-matically. If you have a plotter or printer driver installed, use the plot command, and preview the drawing.


Save your file.


In This Chapter

Dimensioning

8■ Automatic dimensioning

■ Editing dimensions with Power Commands

■ Breaking dimension lines

■ Inserting a drawing border

■ Inserting a fits list

In this tutorial, you learn how to add dimensions to

your drawing with automatic dimensioning in

AutoCAD® Mechanical 6. Then you change the

dimensions with Power Commands. You also learn how

to insert a drawing border.

111

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.

centerline Line in the center of a symmetrical object.

drawing border A standardized frame that is used for technical drawings.

fit Range of tightness or looseness in mating parts (for example shafts or holes). Tolerances in these dimensions are expressed in standard form.

fit name Name of the selected fit (for example H7).

multi edit An option where you determine a selection set of dimensions and edit them together.

Power Dimensioning Power Dimensioning is a very useful tool for generating linear, radial, angular and diameter dimensions, which minimizes the number of the individual actions required while generating a dimension. Power Dimensioning selects the type of linear dimension (horizontal, vertical, or aligned), based on the selected point, and the dimensions of the drawing can have a uniform style using the distance snap.

Power Erase Command for deleting. Use Power Erase when you delete part reference numbers or dimensions that were created with Power Dimensioning and Automatic Dimensioning.

title block A title block contains a series of attributes, some already have values. The pre-assigned values can be modified, and the vacant attributes can be completed with new values.

tolerance The total amount by which a given dimension (nominal size) may vary (for example, 20 ± 0.1).

112 | Chapter 8 Dimensioning

Dimensioning

AutoCAD Mechanical offers various dimensioning tools. Here you will learn to use automatic dimensioning to add dimensions to a bushing. You also learn how to change these dimensions.

To open a file


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The file contains a drawing of a bushing.


Automatic Dimensioning

First you dimension the bushing using automatic dimensioning.

To dimension a contour automatically

1 Start Automatic Dimensioning.

Menu Annotate ➤ Automatic Dimensioning

Command AMAUTODIM

Dimensioning | 113

2 In the Automatic Dimensioning dialog box, choose the Parallel tab and specify:

Type: Baseline

Choose OK.


Select objects [Block]: Select the complete bushing by creating a window around itSelect objects [Block]: Press ENTERFirst extension line origin: Select the lower leftmost corner of the bushing (1)Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:

Drag the dimensioning downwards until it snaps in (highlighted red), and clickStarting point for next extension line: Press ENTER to end the command

In the next step, you generate the diameter dimensions using shaft dimensioning.


To dimension a shaft

1 Start Automatic Dimensioning.

Menu Annotate ➤ Automatic Dimensioning

Command AMAUTODIM

2 In the Automatic Dimensioning dialog box, choose the Shaft / Symmetric tab, and specify:

Type: Shaft (Front View)

Choose OK.


Select objects [Block]: Select the complete bushing by creating a window around itSelect objects [Block]: Press ENTERSelect Centerline or new starting point: Select the centerline of the bushing (1)Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:

Drag the dimensioning to the right until it snaps in (highlighted red), and clickStarting point for next extension line: Press ENTER to end the command

Dimensioning | 115

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.

Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands ➤ Power Erase

Command AMPOWERERASE


Select objects:Select baseline dimensions 2 and 61, and diameter dimensions 12, 14, and 36, and then press ENTER

The dimensions are deleted, and the other dimensions are rearranged. Your drawing should now look like this:


Now, add a single dimension with a fit using Power Dimensioning.

To add a dimension with a fit

1 Start Power Dimensioning.


Command AMPOWERDIM


(Single) Specify first extension line origin or [Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Select the first point (1)Specify second extension line origin: Select second point (2)Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:

Drag the dimensioning to the left until it is highlighted red, and click

3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, choose the Add Fit button and specify:

Fit: Symbol: H7

Dimensioning | 117

4 Click the Special Characters button, and select the diameter symbol (upper left).

Choose OK.

Now continue to apply an angular dimensioning.

To apply an angular dimension


(Single) Specify first extension line origin or [Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Enter A

(Single) Select arc, circle, line or [Linear/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <specify vertex>: Select the line (1)

Select second line: Select the second line (2)Specify dimension arc line location:

Drag the dimension to a suitable position, and click


Next, you add a fit to the shaft dimensions using Multi Edit.


To add a fit using Multi Edit

1 Start Multi Edit.

Menu Annotate ➤ Edit Dimensions ➤ Multi Edit

Command AMDIMMEDIT


Select dimensions: Select the dimensions 18 and 30 Select dimensions: Press ENTER

3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, choose the Add Fit button, and specify:

Fit: Symbol: h7

4 Choose OK.

The fit description h7 is added to the dimensions.

Save your file.

Dimensioning | 119

Breaking Dimension Lines

The automatic dimensioning process has created intersecting dimension lines. The drawing appearance can be improved by breaking these lines.

To break dimension lines

1 Start the Break Dimension command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Edit Dimensions ➤ Break Dimension

AMDIMBREAK


Select dimension or extension line to break <Multiple>: Press ENTERSelect dimensions:

Select baseline dimension 10 and 13, and diameter dimensions 18, 30, and 40, and then press ENTER

Select Objects [Restore] <Automatic>: Press ENTER

The selected dimensions are broken automatically and your drawing looks like this:

Save your file.


Inserting a Drawing Border

Now, you insert a drawing border.

To insert a drawing border

1 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Drawing Title/Revisions ➤ Drawing Title/Borders

Command AMTITLE

2 In the Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box, specify:

Paper Format: A4 (297x210mm)Title Block: ISO Title Block AScale: 1:1

Choose OK.


Specify insertion point: Enter -150,0

Dimensioning | 121

4 In the Edit Attributes dialog box, specify:

Drawing Title: Bushing

Choose OK.


Select Objects: Select the complete bushing including dimensionsSelect Objects: Press ENTERNew location for objects: Click Zoom ExtentsNew location for objects: Place the bushing in the middle of the drawing border

Now, your drawing should look like this:


Save your file.

Inserting a Fits List

Now, you insert a fits list. Fits lists describe all fits existing in a drawing.

To insert a fits list

1 Start the Fits List command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Fits List

Command AMFITSLIST


Fits lists [Update all/Order/New] <New>: Press ENTERSpecify insertion point: Specify the upper right corner of the title block

Dimensioning | 123

The fits list is inserted above the title block and looks like this.

Finally, edit a dimension with a fit. The fits list will be updated.

To edit a dimension

1 Double-click the diameter dimension (not the dimension line) 18 h7.

2 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, specify:

Fit symbol: g6

Choose OK.

3 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose Yes.

Now, the fits list is updated, too.

Save your file.

You are at the end of this tutorial chapter.


In This Chapter

Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes

9■ Defining a 2D hide situation

■ Inserting a 2D steel shape

■ Modifying steel shapes using power commands

■ Editing a 2D hide situation

■ Copying and moving a 2D hide situation

In this tutorial, you learn about the new features in

AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 for defining the 2D hide

situations, and how to work with 2D steel shapes.

125

Key Terms

Term Definition

background A contour that is covered by another contour or by objects that are lying behind another contour, in the 3D sense. A background may be a foreground for an additional contour.

foreground Objects which are lying in front of another contour in the 3D sense. A foreground may also be a background for an additional contour.

hidden line Line that is not visible in a specified view. For example, in a front view, lines behind the front plane would not be visible.

steel shapes Steel shapes are standardized steel geometries and profiles, which are used for steel- and plant construction.

126 | Chapter 9 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes

Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes


To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

2 Zoom in to the chain drive on the right.


Command ZOOM

Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes | 127

Defining a 2D Hide Situation

Now you define a 2D hide situation. You can define foreground and back-ground contours as well as the settings for the representation of the hidden objects.

To define a 2D hide situation

1 Start the Hide Invisible Edges command.

Menu Modify ➤ 2D Hide ➤ Hide Invisible Edges

Command AM2DHIDE


Select objects for foreground: Select the chainSelect objects for foreground: Press ENTER

3 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, specify:

Representation of Hidden Objects: Dashed

4 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, choose Preview <.

NOTE As you can see, the parts of the sprockets, which should be visible, are dashed, too. This shows that the complete area inside the outer chain contour is defined as foreground.

Now, define the 2D hide situation in a way that the chain has an inner con-tour.



Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>: Enter N

6 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, activate the Foreground tab and choose Select Inner Contours <.


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.


Select point inside a hole or select a loop to remove: Press ENTER

9 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, choose Preview <.

Now, the chain drive is displayed correctly.



Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>: Press ENTER

Your 2D hide situation is defined correctly and you can proceed with your drawing.

Save the file.

Inserting a 2D Steel Shape

Steel Shapes can easily be inserted through a selection dialog, where you can define the standard, profile, size and length of the steel shape.

Now, insert a steel shape with a square hollow section on the left edge of the I-shaped girder.

To insert a 2D steel shape

1 Start the Zoom All command.

Menu View ➤ Zoom ➤ All

Command ZOOM

2 Start the Steel Shape command.

Menu Content ➤ Steel Shapes

Command AMSTLSHAP2D


3 In the Select a Steel Shape dialog select Square / Rectangular hollow section.

4 Select ISO 657/14-1982 (Rectangular) and Top View.


Specify insertion point: Select point P1Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER


6 In the ISO 657/14 - 1982 (Rectangular) - Size Selection dialog, specify:

Select a Size: 90x90x4.0

7 Choose Finish.


Drag Size: Select point P2

The steel shape is inserted. Your drawing looks like this:

Save the file.

Now, modify the steel shapes using the Power Commands.


Modifying Steel Shapes using Power Commands

With the Power Commands, you can create different views of the steel shapes as well as you are able to copy, multiply or edit the steel shapes.

Now, insert the steel shapes in the top view of the assembly using Power View and Power Copy.

To modify a steel shape using Power Commands

1 Start the Power View command.

Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands ➤ Power View

Command AMPOWERVIEW

2 Select the previously inserted steel shape.

3 In the Select new view dialog select the Front View.


Specify insertion point: Select point P3Specify rotation angle <0>: 180

The steel shape is inserted in the top view of the assembly. Your drawing looks like this:

NOTE A 2D hide situation will be generated automatically when inserting the steel shape.

Now, copy the previously inserted view to the other edge of the girder.

5 Start the Power Copy command.

Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands ➤ Power Copy

Command AMPOWERCOPY



Select object: Select the previously inserted steel shape at point P3Specify insertion point: Select point P4Specify rotation angle <0>: 180

The steel shape is copied. Your drawing looks like this:

Save your file.

Editing a 2D Hide Situation

The insertion of the steel shapes in the top view of the assembly has created a 2D hide situation automatically. As you can see, this 2D hide situation is not correct.

Now, edit the 2D hide situation.

To edit a 2D hide situation

1 Start the Edit Hidden Edges command.

Menu Modify ➤ 2D Hide ➤ Edit Hidden Edges

Command AM2DHIDEDIT


Edit the behind situation [modifY/Move/Restore/Genius12] <Update>: YSelect objects: Select the square hollow section on the leftSelect objects: Press ENTER


3 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog, choose Select View.


Select objects for foreground: Select the I-shaped girderSelect objects for foreground: Deselect the square hollow section on the leftSelect objects for foreground: Press ENTER

NOTE You can deselect a selected part by holding the SHIFT key while clicking the part.


5 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog, activate the Background tab, and choose Select View.


Select objects for background: Select the square hollow section on the leftSelect objects for background: Press ENTER

7 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog, choose Preview.

Now, the 2D hide situation is correct. Your drawing looks like this:



Now, edit the 2D hide situation of the right edge of the girder. The Edit Hidden Edges command is still active.


Edit the behind situation [modifY/Move/Restore/Genius12] <Update>: YSelect objects: Select the square hollow section on the rightSelect objects: Press ENTER


10 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog, choose Select View.


Select objects for foreground: Select the I-shaped girderSelect objects for foreground: Deselect the square hollow section on the rightSelect objects for foreground: Press ENTER

12 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog, activate the Background tab, and choose Select View.


Select objects for background: Select the square hollow section on the rightSelect objects for background: Press ENTER

14 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog, choose Preview.

The 2D hide situation on the right is now correct, too.



16 Press ESC to leave the command.

Your drawing looks like this:

Save your file.

Copying and Moving a 2D Hide Situation

If you copy or move assemblies which contain 2D hide situations, the 2D hide information will not be lost.

Now, copy the girder assembly.

To copy a 2D hide situation

1 Select the I-shaped girder and the two square hollow sections.

2 Right-click and choose Copy with Base Point from the context menu.


Specify base point: Select point P3

4 Right-click and choose Paste from the context menu.



Specify insertion point: Select point P5

The girder assembly is copied to the new location. Your drawing looks like this:

Save your file.

Now, move the chain drive from the beginning of the chapter to the top view of the assembly.

To move a 2D hide situation

1 Start the Move command.

Menu Modify ➤ Move

Command MOVE


Select objects: Select the complete chain drive using a windowSelect objects: Press ENTERSpecify base point or displacement: Select point P6Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>:

Select point P7


The complete chain drive is moved to the top view of the assembly. Your drawing looks like this:

Finally, you have to 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.

Menu Modify ➤ 2D Hide ➤ Hide Invisible Edges

Command AM2DHIDE


Select objects for foreground: Select the complete chain driveSelect objects for foreground: Press ENTER


3 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, choose OK.

Now, the girder assembly is hidden by the chain drive. Your drawing looks like this:

This is the end of this exercise.

Save your file.


In This Chapter

Working with Standard Parts

10■ Inserting a screw connection

■ Copying a screw connection with Power Copy

■ Creating a screw template

■ Editing a screw connection with Power Edit

■ Working with Power View

■ Deleting with Power Erase

■ Inserting a hole

■ Inserting a pin

■ Turning off centerlines in the configuration

■ Hiding construction lines

■ Simplifying the representation of standard parts

In this tutorial, you learn to work with standard parts in

AutoCAD® Mechanical 6. You insert a screw

connection, a hole, and a pin. You also edit the standard

parts with power commands.

141

Key Terms

Term Definition

background A contour that is covered by another contour or by objects that are lying behind another contour, in the 3D sense. A background may be a foreground for an additional contour.

C-line (construction line) A line that is infinite in both directions or infinite starting at a point which can be inserted into the drawing area. You use C-lines to transfer important points (for example, center points of holes) into other views or drawing areas.

countersink A chamfered hole that allows bolt and screw heads to be flush or below the part surface.

dynamic dragging The act of determining the size of a standard part with the cursor while inserting it into a side view. The standard part is displayed dynamically on the screen and can be dragged to the next possible size or length. The values (sizes) are taken from the Standard parts database.

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.

Power Edit An edit command for all objects in your drawing.

Power Erase Command for intelligent deleting. Use Power Erase when you delete part reference numbers or when you delete dimensions that have been created with Power Dimensioning and Automatic Dimensioning.

Power Recall A command that lets you click an existing drawing object and places you in the correct command for creating that object.

Power View A tool where you can quickly and easily create a standard part top view or bottom view of a side view and vice versa.

representation Standard parts representation in a drawing in normal, simplified, or symbolic mode.

142 | Chapter 10 Working with Standard Parts

Working with Standard Parts

AutoCAD Mechanical 2001 provides a large selection of standard parts to work with, including regular and fine threads, many types of holes, fasteners and other standard parts. With the AutoCAD Mechanical, you can insert complete screw connections (screws with holes and nuts) in one step. Some intelligence has been built into this process. For example, if you select a screw with a metric thread, you get only metric threads when you add any addi-tional parts such as tapped holes or nuts.

NOTE The ISO standard parts have to be installed for this tutorial exercise.


To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains a motor with a gearbox. Some construction lines are inserted to help you working through the tutorial exercise. The gearbox is not completed yet. We want to add standard components and show, how easy it is to edit standard parts with an automatic update of the background objects.



Command ZOOM

Working with Standard Parts | 143


Specify first corner:Specify the first corner point (1)

Specify opposite corner: Specify the second corner point (2)


Inserting Screw Connections

Now, you insert a screw connection in the differential gear housing.

To insert a screw connection

1 Start the Screw Connection command.

Menu Content ➤ Screw Connection

Command AMSCREWCON2D


2 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the Screws button.

3 In the Select a Screw dialog box, select Socket Head Types.


4 Then select ISO 4762 and Front View.

5 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the upper Holes button. Then select Through Cylindrical, and ISO 273 normal.

6 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the lower Holes button. Then select Tapped Holes, Blind, and ISO 262.


7 In the Screw Connection dialog box, specify the size M4, and choose Next >.

8 In the Screw Assembly Grip Representation - Front View dialog box, select Normal, and choose the Finish button.



Specify insertion point of first hole: Specify first point (1)Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: Specify second point (2)Drag Size: Drag the screw connection dynamically to size M4 x 16, and clickDrag Size: Enter 12

Now, you have inserted the screw connection, specified a screw length of 16 mm, and specified a blind hole depth of 12 mm.

NOTE During dragging, the size of the screw is shown as tooltip and in the status bar, where the coordinates are usually displayed.


The background is automatically hidden, and your drawing should look like this:

Save your file.

Copying Screw Connections with Power Copy

With Power Copy, you can copy complete objects, including the information attached to those objects. In the case of a screw connection, you copy the whole screw connection to another location. The background is automati-cally updated.

Now, copy the previously inserted screw connection with the Power Copy command.

To copy a screw connection

1 Start the Power Copy command.


Command AMPOWERCOPY



Select object: Select the previously inserted screwSpecify insertion point: Specify a pointSpecify direction: Press ENTER

The screw is copied to the specified location. Your drawing should look like this:

Save your file.


Creating Screw Templates

Now, you create a screw template. The screw template will be stored for repeated use. This makes the insertion of identical or similar screw connec-tions much faster.

Before you create and insert the screw template, you have to zoom to the cover plate.

To zoom to a window



Command ZOOM

2 Zoom in to the coverplate.


Command ZOOM


Specify first corner: Specify first corner point (1)Specify opposite corner: Specify second corner point (2)

Now, start the screw connection and create a screw template.


To create a screw template

1 Start the Screw Connection command.

Menu Content ➤ Screw Connection

Command AMSCREWCON2D

2 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the Screws button.


3 In the Select a Screw dialog box, select Countersink Head Type.


4 Then select ISO 10642 and Front View.

5 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the upper Holes button. Then select Countersinks, and ISO 7721.

6 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the lower Holes button. Then select Tapped Holes, Blind, and ISO 262.


7 Choose < Back to store the screw template.

8 In the Screw Assembly Templates dialog box, choose the Save icon.

Your screw connection is stored as a template and added to the list.

NOTE The screw template contains the combination of the used standard parts. It contains no sizes, like diameters or lengths.


9 Choose Next >.

10 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the Pre-calculation icon.


11 In the Screw Diameter Estimation dialog box, specify:

Material Class: 10.9Applied Force: 1500 NNature of Load: Static and Centric applied Axial Force (upper-left icon)Method for Tightening Screw: Mechanical Screw Driver

The Result field displays a nominal size of M4. Choose OK.


In the Screw Connection dialog box, the pre-calculation routine has marked M4.

Choose Finish.


Specify insertion point of first hole: Specify first point (1)Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: Specify second point (2)Drag Size: Drag screw connection dynamically to size M4 x 12, and clickDrag Size: Enter 8


You have inserted the screw connection with a screw length of 12 mm and a blind hole depth of 8 mm.

Your drawing should look like this:

Save your file.


Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit

Instead of having to use different editing commands for different objects, you can use just one command, Power Edit, for editing all objects in a draw-ing with built-in intelligence. Using Power Edit on a screw connection, the whole assembly can be edited and will be updated in your drawing with an automatic background update.

Now, edit the second screw at the coverplate to get the same countersink screw.

To edit a screw connection

1 Start the Power Edit command.

Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands ➤ Power Edit

Command AMPOWEREDIT


Select object: Select the lower screw of the coverplate

NOTE You can also start Power Edit by double-clicking the desired part.

3 In the Screw Connection New Part Front View dialog box, choose < Back.


4 In the Screw Connection New Part Front View dialog box, double-click the previously created screw template in the list, or select it and choose the Load the template icon.

Now, the Screw Connection dialog box contains the screw connection as it has been stored in the template.


5 Choose M4, then Finish, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point of first hole: Press ENTERSpecify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: Press ENTERDrag Size: Drag the screw connection dynamically to the size M4 x 12, and clickDrag Size: Enter 8

The edited screw connection is inserted. Your drawing should look like this:

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 it.

To zoom to a window



Command ZOOM




Command ZOOM



Now, 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.

Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands ➤ Power View

Command AMPOWERVIEW



Select object: Select the screw at cover plate (1)Specify insertion point: Specify the centerline cross at top view (2)

The top view of the screw connection is inserted into the top view of the cov-erplate. Your drawing should look like this:

3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to insert the top view of the screw at the other three cen-terline crosses of the top view of the coverplate.


The coverplate should look like this now:

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 a window



Command ZOOM



Command ZOOM




Now, delete a screw using the Power Erase command.

To delete a standard part

1 Start the Power Erase command.

Menu Modify ➤ Power Commands ➤ Power Erase

Command AMPOWERERASE


Select object: Select the screw (1)Select object: Press ENTER


The screw connection is deleted and the lines and hatch are restored. Your drawing should look like this:

Save your file.


Inserting Holes

Now, you replace the previously deleted screw connection with a pin. You insert a blind hole for the pin first.

To insert a hole

1 Start the Blind Hole command.

Menu Content ➤ Holes ➤ Blind Holes

Command AMBHOLE2D

2 In the Select a Blind Hole dialog box, select acc. to ISO 273 and Front View.


Specify insertion point: Specify insertion point (1)Specify rotation angle <0>: Specify a point to define insertion angle (2)


4 In the acc. to ISO 273 - Nominal Diameter dialog box, select a size of 5, and choose the Finish button.


Drag Size: Enter 20

The blind hole is inserted. Your drawing should look like this:

Save your file.


Inserting Pins

Now, insert a pin into the blind hole.

To insert a pin

1 Start the Cylindrical Pins command.

Menu Content ➤ Fasteners ➤ Cylindrical Pins

Command AMCYLPIN2D

2 In the Select a Cylindrical Pin dialog box, select ISO 2338 and Front View.


Specify insertion point: Specify insertion point (1)Specify rotation angle <0>: Specify a point to define insertion angle (2)


4 In the ISO 2338 - Nominal Diameter dialog box, select a size of 5, and choose the Finish button.

5 Continue to respond to the prompt as follows:

Drag Size: Drag the pin to size 5 h8 x 18 - B, and left-click

6 In the Select Part Size dialog box, select 5h8 x 18 - B, and choose OK.


The pin is inserted. Your drawing should look like this:

NOTE You have inserted the blind hole first and then the pin. This results in overlapping centerlines. In order to have a correct plot, you should turn one cen-terline off.

To turn off a centerline

1 Select the previously inserted cylindrical pin.

2 Right-click and deactivate Centerlines on/off in the shortcut menu.

Now, the centerline of the pin is turned off and 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 would like to add standard parts, it is recommended to turn off the centerlines for standard parts in the configuration. This will avoid removing overlapped centerlines.

To turn off centerlines in the configuration

1 Open the Mechanical Options dialog.


Command AMOPTIONS


2 Select the Standard Parts Tab.

3 Uncheck 2D Draw Centerlines.

4 Choose Apply and OK.

Hiding Construction Lines

For a better overview, you can hide the construction lines by turning them off temporarily.

First zoom to the extents of the drawing.

To zoom to the extents



Command ZOOM

Now, turn off all construction lines.


To turn off C-lines

1 Start the Construction Line On/Off command.

Menu Assist ➤ Layer / Layergroup ➤ Construction Line On/Off

Command AMCLINEO

All construction lines are turned off temporarily.

Save your file.

Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts

In some cases, for example in complex assemblies, it is helpful to have a sim-plified 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.

Now, you change the representation of the differential gear screws.

To change the representation of a standard part

1 Start the Change Representation command.

Menu Content ➤ Change Representation

Command AMSTDPREP


Select objects: Select the differential gear with a window (1, 2)Select objects: Press ENTER


3 In the Switch Representation of Standard Parts dialog box, select Symbolic, and choose OK.


The representation of the selected standard parts is symbolic. Your drawing should look like this:

The AutoCAD Mechanical standard parts library is not only a simple block library, but also an intelligent library, that helps you design with standard parts in a very effective way.


Save your file.


In This Chapter

Working with BOMs and Parts Lists

11■ Inserting part references

■ Editing a part reference

■ Placing and modifying balloons

■ Creating a parts list

■ Merging and splitting items in a parts list

■ Collecting balloons

■ Sorting and renumbering items on a parts list

■ Using filters

In AutoCAD® Mechanical 6, you can create parts lists

and bills of material (BOMs) automatically, 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.

177

Key Terms

Term Definition

balloon Circular annotation tag that identifies a bill of material item in a drawing. The number in the balloon corresponds with the number of the part in the bill of material.

bill of material A dynamic database containing a list of all the parts in an assembly. Used to generate parts lists that contain associated attributes such as part number, manufacturer, and quantity.

BOM attribute An entity that contains attributes by default (the attribute is invisible) that can add information to and describe details of a part in the drawing. The values of these attributes are transformed into the parts list attributes when converting BOM attributes and creating a parts list.

part reference Part information for a bill of material, which is attached to the part in the drawing.

parts list A dynamic list of parts and associated attributes generated from a bill of material database. The parts list automatically reflects additions and subtractions of parts from an assembly.

178 | Chapter11 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists

Working with Parts Lists


To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains a shaft with a housing.



Command ZOOM


Specify first corner: Specify the first corner point figure (1)Specify opposite corner: Specify the second corner point (2)


Inserting a Part Reference

The part references the part information required for the bill of material. The information of the part reference is available in the parts database for creat-ing a parts list.

Here, you use the part reference command to enter part information for your part.

Working with Parts Lists | 179

To insert a Part Reference

1 Start the Part Reference command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ Part Reference

Command AMPARTREF


Select point or [Block/Copy/Reference]: Specify a point on the part (1)

3 In the Part Ref Attributes dialog box, specify:

Description: Housing PartitionStandard: Size 130x125x55Material: EN-GJL-200

Choose OK. The Part Reference is inserted into the drawing.

NOTE Standard Parts get such a Part Reference containing all standard infor-mation automatically.


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.

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ Part Reference

Command AMPARTREF

2 Right-click to display the context menu and select Reference, or enter R at the Command prompt.

3 Select the previously inserted part reference in the drawing to create a reference.

This means that the same part shows a quantity of 2 in the BOM database.

NOTE You can use the option Copy to create a new part with similar text infor-mation.


Select point or: Specify the insertion point at the circular edge (2)

5 In the Part Ref Attribute dialog box, choose OK.

NOTE This part reference looks different, because it has been attached to an object (the circular edge) of the part.

Save your file.


Editing Part References

Now, you have to edit an existing part reference.

To edit a Part Reference

1 Start the Part Reference Edit command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ Part Reference Edit

Command AMPARTREFEDIT


Select pick object: Specify the part reference of the left screw (3)

The Part Ref Attributes dialog box is displayed.

3 For Reference Quantity, enter 3, and choose OK.

NOTE For the related nut and the screw connection on the right side the ref-erence quantity is already changed in the drawing.


4 Zoom to the extents to display the entire drawing.

Menu View ➤ Zoom ➤ EXTENTS

Command ZOOM

Save your file.

Placing Balloons

Now, you create balloons from the part references in the drawing.

To place a balloon

1 Start the Balloon command.


Command AMBALLOON


Select part/assembly or :[auTo/autoAll/Collect/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize]: Enter A

NOTE If you use one of the commands AMBALLOON or AMPARTLIST the BOM database will be created automatically. This means all part references will be added to the database and item numbers will be created inside the database.

To create and edit a database manually, you can use the AMBOM command.

3 Use a window to select all objects and press ENTER.

NOTE Press ENTER to change the type of arrangement (horizontal, vertical, angle or stand-alone).


4 Place the balloons horizontally, above the assembly.

Because the balloons are numbered automatically, depending on where you have located the part references, the appearance of your drawing can be dif-ferent.

In the next step, you will renumber the balloons.

To renumber balloons

1 Start the Balloon command again.


Command AMBALLOON


Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/Collect/Manual/One/Renumber/ rEorganize]: Enter R


Enter starting item number: <1>: Press ENTEREnter increment: <1>: Press ENTERSelect balloon: Select the balloons in numerical order from 1 to 7Select balloon: Press ENTER


Your drawing needs to look like the following in order for you to continue:

NOTE Since balloon 7 has a reference, you do not have to select balloon 8. It will get the number 7 automatically.

Now, rearrange the balloons for a better representation.

To rearrange balloons.

1 Drag a window from right to left to select the 6 balloons on the right. This turns on the grips.

2 Right-click to activate the context menu. Choose Reorganize.

3 Move the cursor through the center of balloon 1 to get the horizontal track-ing line.

NOTE Make sure that the OTRACK function is active.

4 Move the cursor to the right, and snap along the tracking line, until you reach a distance of 120, and click.


The result needs to look like the following:

NOTE The snap distance can be controlled within the Balloon Properties dialog.

In the next step, you 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.


Command AMBALLOON


Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/Collect/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize]: Enter M

Select point or [Block/Copy/Reference]: Select a point on the shaft

NOTE Instead of selecting a point to create a part reference, you can use Copy or Reference from the Manual option, to get the information from an existing balloon or part reference.


3 In the Part Ref Attributes dialog box, specify:

Description: ShaftStandard: Size Dia. 50x150Material: C45

4 Choose OK.

5 Press ENTER to start the leader line of the balloon in the center of the part ref-erence.

6 Move the cursor through the center of balloon 1 to get the tracking line and the snap distance, and click the insertion point.

NOTE Instead of entering the insertion point, you can select another point to create an extended leader line.

7 Press ENTER.

Save your file.


Creating a Parts List

Now, you generate a parts list from the part reference information.

To create a parts list

1 Start the Parts List command.

Menu Annotate ➤ Parts List Tools ➤ Parts List

Command AMPARTLIST


Select border: Move the cursor over the border until tooltip ISO_A2 is displayed, and then click the highlighted border

The Parts List dialog box opens.

Choose OK.

The parts list appears dynamically on the cursor.

3 Move the cursor to the top of the title block. Click to insert the parts list.


The parts list should look like the following:

NOTE If you are working with more than one drawing border, you can create border-specific parts lists. In this case, a BOM database is created for each border automatically when the AMBALLOON or AMPARTLIST commands are used.

You can use the AMBOM command to create or edit a BOM manually.

An example of a BOM database that contains more than one border is shown below. Selecting BORDER1 or BORDER2 displays the contents for each BOM database.

In the next step, you edit balloon / parts list information using several meth-ods.

To edit parts list information

1 Start the Edit Part List/Balloon command.

Command AMEDIT


Select object: Select balloon 2


3 In the Balloon dialog box, enter 8.8 in the Material column.

4 Choose OK.

Notice the changes in your parts list.

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.


5 Double-click the parts list.

The Parts List dialog box is displayed.

You can edit your data in this dialog box. Some examples are shown next.


6 Select the Hexagon Nut entry and choose the Set values icon.

7 In the Set Value dialog box, specify:

Column: MaterialValue: 8

8 Choose OK.


The result should look like the following.

9 Now, change the material of the second bolt and nut accordingly.

NOTE Using the shortcut menu inside a field provides additional functions such as cut, copy, and paste.

Save your file.


Merging and Splitting Items in a Parts List

The Parts List function allows you to merge items which appear repeatedly.

To merge parts list items

1 In the Parts List dialog box, hold down CTRL while you click the box in front of item 1 and the box in front of item 6. With items 1 and 6 selected, choose the Merge items icon.

Item 1 now has a quantity of 2, and Item 6 is missing.

Selecting several rows allows you to merge or split items. The selected rows need to have the same entries.


2 Choose Apply to display the changes in the drawing.

Balloon 1 is displayed twice.

NOTE Select the gray field to the left of row 1, and the Split item icon is acti-vated.

NOTE In this case, if you choose Split item, the previously merged items will be split again.Selecting the gray field in the upper left corner left to Item allows you to select all rows at once, as shown in the following.


NOTE In this case, the Merge item and Split item icons are active.Selecting one of the icons allows you to merge or split all items at once. All data will be compared, and, if they are the same, they are merged together. Other-wise, if they are merged items, they are split at once.

Now that you have merged the bearing, you can delete one of the balloons and add an additional leader.

To delete a balloon

1 Use Power Erase, and select the left balloon with the item number 1.

2 Press ENTER to delete the balloon.

NOTE Deleting a balloon in the drawing, doesn't delete any data. Data is only lost if you delete a part reference. You can add more than one balloon to a part reference, for example, to create a balloon with the same item number, for the same part in another view.


To add an additional leader

1 Select the remaining balloon 1.

2 Right-click to display the shortcut menu. Select Add Leader and respond to the prompts as follows:

Select object to attach: Select the left bearingEnter an option [Next/Accept] <Accept>: Press ENTER

Next point (or F for first point): Select a point inside the balloon 1

The leader is added and your drawing should look like the following:

Save your file.

Collecting Balloons

Collecting balloons enables you to place balloons of related parts to one leader line. For example, you can place the balloons of a screw and a nut to one common leader line.

To collect balloons

1 Use Zoom Window to zoom in the top view of the drawing.


Command ZOOM


2 Start the AMBALLOON command.


Command AMBALLOON


Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/Collect/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize]: Enter C


Select pick object or balloon: Select the part reference of the left nut


Select pick object or balloon: Press ENTER

Select balloon: Select balloon 2Pick orientation: Select a vertical orientation

6 Repeat the collect balloon command for the screw and nut on the right side.

The result should look like this:

Save your file.

Sorting and Renumbering Items on a Parts List

You can sort a parts list for manufacturing and sort standard parts with updated item numbers.


To sort a parts list



Command ZOOM

2 Double-click the parts list to display the Parts List dialog box.

3 Choose the Sort icon.

The Sort dialog box opens.

NOTE You can sort within a selection set, otherwise you are sorting all items.

4 In the Sort dialog box, specify as shown in the following.


Choose OK.

The result should look like this:

In the next step, you renumber the items.

To renumber parts list items

1 Click the Item cell to select the whole Item column.

2 Choose the Set values icon.

3 In the Set Value dialog box, specify:

Column: ItemStart value: 10Step: 10

4 Choose 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.

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 Move the cursor over the white Filters field, and right-click.


3 Select Add Filter to display the List of Filters dialog box.

4 Select Custom and choose OK.

The details for this filter are displayed.

5 Set the following values to define the filter.

6 Activate the filter with the Custom check box.

7 Choose Apply in the Parts List dialog box.


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.

If you only want to print the filtered list, choose the Print icon.

8 Deactivate the custom filter and close the dialog box with OK.

The filter will not be used in this drawing.


The result looks like the following:


Save your file.


In This Chapter

Creating Shafts With Standard Parts

12■ Configuring the snap options

■ Starting and configuring the shaft generator

■ Creating shaft sections

■ Inserting a profile

■ Inserting a chamfer and a fillet

■ Inserting a shaft break

■ Creating a side view

■ Inserting a thread

■ Editing and inserting a shaft section

■ Replacing a shaft section

■ Inserting a bearing

In AutoCAD® Mechanical 6, you learn how to use the

shaft generator to create and edit shafts. You learn to

insert bearings and perform bearing calculations.

205

Key Terms

Term Definition

bearing calculation Calculates limiting value, dynamic and static load rating, dynamic and static equivalent load, and fatigue life in revolutions and hours.

chamfer A beveled surface between two faces or surfaces.

dynamic calculation Calculation required for a revolving bearing. The result is the Adjusted Rating Life. This is the life associated with 90% reliability with contemporary, commonly used material, and under conventional operating conditions. With the number of revolutions you get the life in working hours.

dynamic dragging The act of determining the size of a standard part with the cursor while inserting it into a side view. The standard part is displayed dynamically on the screen and can be dragged to the next possible size and length. The values (sizes) are taken from the Standard parts database.

fillet A curved transition from one part face or surface to another. The transition cuts off the outside edge or fills in the inside edge.

gear Any 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. A shaft can be interrupted at a point, and the shaft break symbols are inserted in a suitable size.

shaft generator Tool to draw rotationally symmetrical parts. A shaft is usually created from left to right using different sections. These sections are positioned automatically one after the other. Additionally, any shaft section can be inserted, deleted, or edited.

206 | Chapter 12 Creating Shafts With Standard Parts

Creating Shafts with Standard Parts

In this section you generate a shaft with standard parts with the shaft generator. You also perform a bearing calculation.

First, you have to start with an ISO drawing template.

To open a template


Menu File ➤ New

Command NEW

The AutoCAD Today dialog box is displayed.

2 In the Today dialog box, in the section My Drawings, change to the tab Create Drawings and select the template am_iso.dwt.

This opens a new drawing template.

NOTE The ISO standard part standard has to be installed for this tutorial exercise.

Configuring the Snap Options

First, you configure the snap options.

Creating Shafts with Standard Parts | 207

To configure the snap options

1 Start the Power Snap Settings.

Menu Assist ➤ Drafting Settings ➤ Power Snap Settings 1-4

Command AMPOWERSNAP

2 In the Power Snap Settings dialog box, activate the tab Setting 4 and specify:

Snap Modes: Endpoint, Midpoint, Intersection

Choose OK

Save your file.

Starting and Configuring Shaft Generators

In the next steps, you start and configure the shaft generator.

To start and configure the shaft generator

1 Start the Shaft Generator command.

Menu Content ➤ Shaft Generator

Command AMSHAFT2D


Specify starting point or select center line [New shaft]: Enter 150,150Specify centerline endpoint: Enter 240,150

NOTE The start and endpoints of the centerline are only important in deter-mining the direction. The length of the centerline is automatically adapted to the length of the shaft.


3 In the Shaft Generator dialog box, press the appropriate button, and enter the values as indicated in the following:

4 Choose the Config button to start the Shaft Generator Configuration, and specify:

For Segment inserted: InsertStationary Shaft End: LeftAdjust Centerline: YesFront View: Radius Reflection Line, Check contourSide and Sectional Views: Sectional with Background, Always updateView of Interrupt: HatchIf shaft is in background, hide standard part too: Yes

Choose 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.

To create shaft segments

1 Choose the lower cylinder button to define a cylinder section, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify length <50>: Enter 12Specify diameter <40>: Enter 20

2 Choose the gear button, and enter the values for module, number of teeth, and length as shown in the following figure:

NOTE Here, the DIN standard requires that you indicate the module. The ANSI standard requires the reciprocal 1/module. You can switch between these two representations using the DIN and ANSI toggle.

3 Choose the lower cylinder button to define a further cylinder section and respond to the prompts as follows:



4 Choose the gear button, and enter the values for module, number of teeth and length as shown in the following figure:

5 Choose the lower cylinder button to define another cylinder section, and respond to the prompts as follows:


6 Choose the lower cylinder button to define another cylinder section, and respond to the prompts as follows:


Now, you have created the first five sections of the shaft as represented in the following figure:


Inserting Spline Profile

Now, you add a spline profile to the shaft.

To create a profiled segment

1 Choose the Profile button.

2 Choose ISO 14 in the database browser.

3 In the Splined Shaft ISO 14 dialog box, select the standard size 6 x 13 x 16 and define a length of 26. Choose OK.

Now, you have created another section of the shaft as represented in the fol-lowing figure:


Inserting Chamfer and Fillet

In this step, you apply a chamfer and a fillet to the shaft.

To apply a chamfer and a fillet

1 Choose the Chamfer button to apply a chamfer to a shaft section, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Select object: Select the leftmost cylinder section (1)Specify length (max. 12) <2.5>: Enter 2Specify angle (0-79) or [Distance] <45>: Enter 45

2 Choose the Fillet button to apply a fillet to a shaft section, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Select object: Select the cylinder section between the two gears near the second gear (1)Enter radius (max. 5.00) <2.50>: Enter 2

NOTE The fillet will be applied to the edge of the selected section, which is closer to the selected point on the section.


After applying the chamfer and the fillet, the shaft looks like the following figure:

Inserting Shaft Breaks

Here, you insert a shaft break in the drawing.

To insert a shaft break

1 Choose the Break button to insert a shaft break, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify point: Select the midpoint of the cylindrical section (1)Specify length (min. 4.00) <6>: Enter 10

NOTE You can insert the break to the left, if you enter a negative value.


The shaft break is inserted.

Creating Side Views of Shafts

Next, you insert a side view of the shaft.

To insert a side view

1 Choose the Side view button.

2 In the Side view from dialog box, select Right. Choose OK.


Specify insertion point: Press ENTER

The right side view is inserted at the proposed position as shown in the following figure:


Inserting Threads on Shafts

Now, you add a thread to the shaft.

To insert a thread on a shaft

1 Choose the Thread button to insert a thread, and select ISO 261 in the browser.

2 In the Thread ISO 261 dialog box, select M10 and enter a length of 20. Choose OK.

The thread is added to the shaft, which looks like this now:

Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections

In this section, you edit an existing shaft section and insert a new section.

To edit and insert a shaft section

1 Choose the Edit button, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Select object: Select the first cylindrical section (1)Specify length <12>: Press ENTERSpecify diameter <20>: Enter 18


The diameter is changed to 18 while the length remains 12.

2 Choose the Insert button, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify point: Select a point after the second gear (1)

3 Choose the Slope button, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify length or [Dialog] <20>: Enter 4Specify diameter at starting point <24>: Enter 28Specify diameter at endpoint or [Slope/Angle] <20>: Enter 22


Replacing Shaft Sections

The previously inserted slope needs to be deleted again.

To replace a shaft section

1 Choose the Undo button.

The previous slope insertion is undone.

Now, replace an existing shaft section. To do this, you change the settings in the configuration.

2 Choose the Config button to start the shaft generator configuration, and specify:

For Segment inserted: Overdraw

3 Choose OK.

4 Choose the Slope button, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify length or [Dialog] <4>: Enter D


5 In the Shaft Generator - Cone dialog box, make the following settings and choose OK.

The slope replaces the cylindrical shaft section.

Inserting Bearings

Here, you insert a bearing and perform a bearing calculation.

To insert a bearing

1 Choose the Standard Parts button, and select a radial roller bearing ISO 355 in the browser. Respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point on shaft contour: Specify the insertion point (1)Direction to [Left]: Select a point to the right (2)


2 In the ISO 355 dialog box, choose Next >.

3 In the ISO 355 dialog box, specify the loads and activate Work Hours as shown in the following, and choose Next >.


4 In the ISO 355 dialog box, select the bearing 2BD - 20 x 37 x 12, and choose Finish.

The bearing is inserted, and you can select the available sizes by dragging.

5 Choose 2BD - 20 x 37 x 12 and press ENTER.

The bearing is inserted.

6 Choose Close.


Save your file.


In This Chapter

Calculating Shafts

13■ Creating the shaft contour

■ Specifying the material

■ Placing the supports

■ Specifying the loads

■ Calculating and inserting the results

■ Calculating the strength

In this AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 tutorial, you perform a

calculation on an existing shaft and apply various loads to

a supported shaft. Then you insert the results into a

drawing.

223

Key Terms

Term Definition

deflection line Deflection line calculations are based on the predefined force direction (F) or the radial direction (s).

deflection moment Deflection moment calculations are based on the predefined force direction (F) or the radial direction (s).

fatigue factor A summary term for all safety factors, which are necessary to determine the safety against endurance or fatigue fractures.

fixed support A support that is fixed to a part and cannot be moved.

gear Any several arrangements, especially of toothed wheels in a machine which allows power to be passed from one part to another so as to control the power speed or the direction of movement.

load The forces and moments that act on a part.

movable support A support that is not fixed.

notch A change of cross section, for example undercuts, grooves, holes or shoulders. Notches lead to a higher stress in the part. The flux of the stress is interrupted or redirected.

point force A force that is concentrated on a point.

strength A summary term for all forces and moments, thus loads and stress, which act on a part.

stress Force or pressure on a part. Stress is the force per area.

yield factor A summary term for all safety factors, which are necessary to determine the safety against overload fracture under maximum load.

224 | Chapter 13 Calculating Shafts

Calculating Shafts

With AutoCAD Mechanical, you can perform a shaft calculation using a con-tour created with the Shaft Generator or any other symmetric shaft contour. The function provides a static calculation, which is important for the design of the shaft and the bearing load.


In this tutorial, you calculate a gear box shaft. The general way to calculate an existing shaft is to define the contour and insert forces and supports. The routine calculates all necessary values and draws the respective graphs for moment and deflection.

First, you load the initial drawing.

To open a file


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains a shaft in front and side view.

2 Zoom in to the shaft.


Command ZOOM


Specify first corner: Specify the first corner point (1)Specify opposite corner: Specify the second corner point (2)


Calculating Shafts | 225

Creating Shaft Contours

Before you can perform any calculations on a shaft, you have to create the shaft contour.

To create a shaft contour

1 Start the Shaft Calculator.

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ Shaft Calculation

Command AMSHAFTCALC


Select contour or [Create contour/Strength] <Create>: Enter CSelect objects: Select the complete shaftSelect objects: Press ENTER

3 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose Yes.


Specify contour position: Press ENTER

NOTE The calculation routine recognizes hollow shafts and uses the contour for the calculation.


After you have created 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.

Specifying Material

You specify the material by selecting it from a table containing the most com-monly used materials. You are also able to enter the characteristics for other materials using the option Edit.

To specify a material

1 From the Material section, choose Edit.

The Material Properties dialog box is displayed.

2 In the Material Properties dialog box, choose Table, and select the ANSI standard.


3 In the Material dialog box, select the material Steel SAE 1045 from the table. Choose 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 (if you select DIN for example, you can select a similar material like, E335, to achieve similar results).

NOTE Some material properties are not complete. In this case, you have to complete them to obtain calculation results.

4 In the Material Properties dialog box, complete the ANSI material properties if necessary:

5 Choose OK.


Placing Shaft Supports

Now, you have to specify the shaft supports.

To place a support

1 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, select the Movable Support icon, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the leftmost shaft section

2 Now, select the Fixed Support icon, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the third cylindrical shaft section

Now, you have specified the shaft supports and your result should look like this:

Specifying Loads on Shafts

Now, you have to specify the effective loads. AutoCAD Mechanical uses geometry from the drawing for load calculations.

NOTE The loads depend on the setting Calculated Part. There are three pos-sibilities: Rotating Shaft, Rotating Axle and Not rotating Axle. A shaft is able to transfer torque and rotating axles result in different stress values than static axles.

To specify a load

1 From the Calculated Part drop-down list, choose Rotating Shaft.

2 Choose the Gear icon and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the second gear


3 In the Gear dialog box, activate the tab Inputs, and specify:

Gear Load: DrivenTorque: 15

NOTE The Components tab displays the force components. Changes in one tab are automatically reflected in the other tab.

4 Choose OK.

5 Choose the Point Load icon and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the profile sectionSpecify rotation angle: Press ENTER


6 In the Point Load dialog box, activate the Resultant tab, and specify:

Point Load: 2500

7 Choose OK.

8 Choose the Torque icon and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the profile section

9 In the Torque dialog box, specify:

Torque: 15

Choose OK.

Now, you have specified the loads and your result should look like this:


You have specified all boundary conditions necessary for a shaft calculation.

Calculating and Inserting Results

Now, you perform a calculation of the moments and deformations, and insert the results in your drawing.

To perform a shaft calculation

1 Choose the Moments and Deformations button.


2 In the Select Graph dialog box, specify:

Bend: Bending Moment in Y - Axis, Deflection in Y - AxisTorsion: Torsion Moment in X - DirectionStresses: Result Bending StressTable Title: Shaft Calculation Exercise

3 Choose OK, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select an appropriate point to the right of the shaft

The result block as well as the deflection and torsion moment graphs are inserted.

4 Choose Close to exit the Shaft Calculation dialog box.


Now, your drawing should look like this:

The result block provides the most important information about your calculated shaft such as the maximum stress deflection and moment values.


Save your file.

Calculating Strengths of Shafts

Now, check the strength at a critical place of the shaft, for example a notch.

To calculate the strength at a notch

1 Restart the Shaft Calculation

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ Shaft Calculation

Command AMSHAFTCALC


Select contour or [Create contour/Strength] <Create>: Select the shaft contour

The Shaft Calculation dialog box opens again and you are able to continue with calculations on the previously specified shaft.


3 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, choose the Strength button, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify calculation position on shaft or [Graph]:Specify the notch at the end of the conical section (1) (make sure you don’t select

the endpoint of the cylindrical shaft section)

NOTE This notch has been selected because the calculation established that the highest bending stress is close to this place.

The Strength Calculation dialog box opens.


The Strength Calculation dialog box enables you to specify the properties of the notch more detailed and displays all important strength values and factors.

4 Choose OK and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify next point <Symbol>: Specify a point below the shaftSpecify next point <Symbol>: Press ENTER

The result block is inserted in the drawing.

As you can see, the safety factors are higher than 1.2. The shaft doesn’t need to be redesigned at this notch.

5 Choose Close to leave the Shaft Calculation dialog box.


Save your file.


In This Chapter

Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines

14■ Calculating the moment of

inertia

■ Calculating the deflection line

In this AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 tutorial, you can

calculate the moment of inertia for a profile section and

calculate the deflection line on a beam based on the

profile calculation.

239

Key Terms

Term Definition

deflection line Deflection lines are calculated based on the predefined force direction (F) or to radial direction (s).

deflection moment Deflection moment is calculated based on the predefined force direction (F) or to radial direction (s).

distributed force A force that is spread over a certain area.

fixed support A support that is fixed to the part and cannot be moved.

load Forces and moments, which act on a part.

moment of inertia An important property of areas and solid bodies. Standard formulas are derived by multiplying elementary particles of area and mass by the squares of their distances from reference axes. Moments of inertia, therefore, depend on the location of reference axes.

movable support Support that is not fixed.

point force A force that is concentrated on a point.

240 | Chapter 14 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines

Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines

The measurement unit for the moment of inertia is mm4 or inches4. These are geometrical values, which appear at deflection, torsion, and buckling cal-culation. AutoCAD Mechanical uses the result of the moment of inertia calculation for the deflection line calculation.

Moment of inertia calculations are performed on cross sections of beams or on other objects that can be represented as closed contours. Calculations can be performed on a cross section of any shape, as long as the geometry of the cross section forms a closed contour.

AutoCAD Mechanical determines the center of gravity for a cross section, draws the main axes, and calculates the moment of inertia for each of those axes. You can also select a load direction for a cross section; AutoCAD Mechanical calculates the moment of inertia and angle of deflection for that load.

NOTE The ISO standard part standard has to be installed for this tutorial exercise.

First, you load the initial drawing.

To open a file


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains this profile:


Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines | 241

Calculating Moments of Inertia

Before you can perform any calculations on a profile, you need to know its moment of inertia.

To calculate the moment of inertia

1 Start the calculation for the moment of inertia.

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ Moment of Inertia

Command AMINERTIA


Specify interior point: Click a point inside the profileSpecify interior point: Press ENTERIs the area filled correctly? (Yes/No)? <Yes>: Press ENTER

The coordinates of the centroid and the moment of inertia along the princi-ple axes are displayed on the command line, as follows:

Coordinates of centroid (in user coordinates):X coordinate: 228.071933 Y coordinate: 150.027674Moments of inertia along principal axes:I1: 2.359e+004 I2: 1.4095e+004Axis angle for major moment (I1): 5.3

Now, define the direction of the loads: they must be in one plane.


Specify direction of load forces (must all lie in one plane): Enter 270

The data for this load direction is displayed on the command line, as follows:

Effective moment of inertia for this load direction: 2.341e+004Angle of deflection: 266.5Maximum distances neutral line - border:Extension side: 16.690 Compression side: 14.444

Now, you have to enter a description for the calculated profile and locate the block with the calculation data in the drawing.



Enter description: Enter Frame ProfileSpecify insertion point: Place the calculation block next to the profile


NOTE The main axes, 1 and 2, are the axes with the most and least deflection. The F arrow displays the direction of the force, the s arrow displays the resultant deflection. The moment of inertia block shows the moments related to the main axis, the maximum distances from the edges, and the calculated area. For more detailed information, see the online help.

A side view of the profile has been created for the deflection line.



Command ZOOM

Save your file.


Calculating Deflection Lines

The calculation of the deflection line requires the calculation result from the moment of inertia calculation.

Now, you calculate the deflection line under a specific load situation.

To calculate the deflection line

1 Start the deflection line calculation.

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ Deflection Line

Command AMDEFLINE


Select moment of inertia block: Select the calculation block (1)Specify starting point or [Existing beam]: Select the left end of the beam (2)Specify endpoint: Select the right end of the beam (3)

3 In the Beam Calculation dialog box, choose Table.


4 In the Material 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 (if you select DIN for example, you can select a similar material like AlMgSi0.5F22 to achieve similar results).

Next, you define the supports and the loads.

5 Choose the Fixed Support icon, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the left edge of the beam (1)

NOTE The support can only be placed along the beam.

6 Choose the Movable Support icon, and respond to the prompt as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the right edge of the beam (2)


7 Choose the Uniform Load icon, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select the left edge of the beam (3)Specify endpoint: Select the midpoint of the beam using midpoint snap (4)Line Load [N/mm]<50>: Enter 10

8 Choose the Moment icon, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point: Select a point in the center of the uniform load (5)Bending moment (Nm)<10>: Enter 3

9 In the Beam Calculation dialog box, choose Moments and Deflection.

10 In the Select Graph dialog box, select the options as shown in the figure below, and choose OK.


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 ENTERSpecify insertion point: Select a point in the drawing


The result looks like this:

The calculation result block displays all important data on your calculation:


Save your file.


In This Chapter

Calculating Chains

15■ Performing a length calculation

■ Optimizing the chain length

■ Inserting Sprockets

■ Inserting a Chain

In this AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 tutorial, you calculate a

chain length, and insert sprockets and chain links into

a drawing.

249

Key Terms

Term Definition

partition Distance in mm or inches between centers of adjacent joint members. Other dimensions are proportional to the pitch. Also known as pitch.

pitch diameter The diameter of the pitch circle that passes through the centers of the link pins as the chain is wrapped on the sprocket.

roller chain A roller chain is made up of two kinds of links: roller links and pin links alternately and evenly spaced throughout the length of the chain.

sprocket A toothed wheel that transfers the power from the chain to the shaft or the other way round.

250 | Chapter 15 Calculating Chains

Chain Calculation

Before you begin this tutorial exercise, be sure the ISO standard parts are installed on your system.

First, load the initial drawing.

To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

2 Zoom in to the chain housing.


Command ZOOM



The drawing contains a chain housing, sprocket positions, and points.


Chain Calculation | 251

Performing Length Calculations

First, you calculate the required length of the chain.

To perform a length calculation

1 Start the Length Calculation command.

Menu Content ➤ Chains / Belts ➤ Length Calculation

Command AMCHAINLENGTHCAL

2 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, choose Library.

3 In the Library, select ISO 606 metric.


4 In the Select Part Size dialog box, specify:

Standard: ISO 606 - 05B - 1

Choose OK.

5 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, choose OK, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle a (1)Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle c (2)Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle c (3)Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle b (4)Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle b (5)Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle a (6)Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Press ENTERSelect circle to store tangents: Select circle a


The tangent definition is finished, and the length of the chain is calculated. Because the length is divided into whole numbers of links, one sprocket has to be moved to achieve such a length.

6 Continue responding to the prompts as follows:

Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved. Select objects: Select circle bSelect objects: Press ENTERSpecify base point of displacement: Select the center of circle bSpecify second point of displacement: Select the center of the cross (8)Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved.Select objects: Press ENTER

AutoCAD has calculated the new length, which is still not a multiple of the chain division:

Number of links in chain: 121 Distance to next link: 6.88567 mmLength:974.8857

NOTE You can view the results by resizing the command line or opening the AutoCAD Text Window using F2.

Therefore, the chain arrangement has to be optimized.

Save your file.

Optimizing the Chain Length

Now, optimize the chain length.

To optimize the chain length

1 Start the Length Calculation command.

Menu Content ➤ Chains / Belts ➤ Length Calculation

Command AMCHAINLENGTHCAL


2 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, check Auto Optimiza-tion, Move, and specify:

Required number of links: 122

Choose OK.


Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved.Select objects: Select the relocated circle bSelect objects: Press ENTERSpecify direction angle to move: Enter 90

Sprocket b is moved until a chain length of 122 links is achieved.

4 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, choose Cancel, to cancel the optimization.



Save your file.

Inserting Sprockets

Now, insert the sprockets.

To insert a sprocket

1 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command.

Menu Content ➤ Chains / Belts ➤ Draw Sprocket/Pulley

Command AMSPROCKET

2 In the Pulleys and Sprockets dialog box, specify:

Number of teeth: 21Number of Teeth to Draw: 21

Choose OK.



Specify center of wheel: Select the center of circle a

The sprocket is inserted into the drawing. Now, insert the next two sprockets.

4 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command again.


Command AMSPROCKET


Number of teeth: 13Number of Teeth to Draw: 13

Choose OK.


Specify center of wheel: Select the center of circle b

7 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command again.


Command AMSPROCKET



Number of teeth: 51Number of Teeth to Draw: 3Insertion Angle for Sprocket/Pulley: 180

Choose OK.


Specify center of wheel: Select the center of circle c

The last sprocket is inserted as a simplified representation with only three teeth, as specified in the dialog box.


Save your file.


Inserting Chains

Finally, insert a chain.

To insert a chain

1 Start the Draw Chain/Belt Links command.

Menu Content ➤ Chains / Belts ➤ Draw Chain/Belt Links

Command AMCHAINDRAW

2 In the Draw Chain/Belt dialog box, specify:

Number of Links to Draw: 122

Choose OK.


Select polyline and starting point: Select the polyline near point 9Please wait... calculating number of chain linksNumber of links in chain: 122 Distance to next link: 0 mmPlease wait... calculating number of chain linksIs position of link correct [Yes/No] <Yes>: Press ENTER

The chain is inserted.



This is the end of this tutorial chapter.Save your file.

260

In This Chapter

Calculating Springs

16■ Starting the spring calculation

■ Specifying the spring restrictions

■ Calculating and selecting the spring

■ Inserting the spring

■ Copying the spring with Power Copy

■ Editing the spring with Power Edit

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 6.

261

Key Terms

Term Definition

Belleville spring washer A washer-type spring that can sustain relatively large loads with small deflections. The loads and deflections can be increased by stacking the springs.

compression spring A spring type that can be compressed and can absorb pressure forces.

dynamic dragging The act of determining the size of a standard part with the cursor while inserting the part into a side view. The standard part is displayed dynamically on the screen and can be dragged to the next possible size and length. The values (sizes) are taken from the Standard parts database.

extension spring A spring type that can absorb tension forces.

Power Copy A command that copies a drawing object to another position in the drawing. Power Copy produces an identical copy of the copied object.

Power Edit A single edit command for all objects in a drawing.

torsion spring A spring type that can absorb torque forces.

262 | Chapter 16 Calculating Springs

Calculating Springs

With the AutoCAD Mechanical Power Pack spring function, you can insert compression, extension, and torsion springs, as well as Belleville spring washers. The calculation is carried out in accordance with DIN 2098 or ANSI. The standard sizes of the springs can be selected from various standard catalogs.


In this tutorial, you create a compression spring in two different compression situations. You calculate and insert the spring in an existing drawing.

First, you open the initial drawing.

To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

2 Zoom in to the area of the spring housings.


Command ZOOM

Calculating Springs | 263


Specify first corner: Specify first corner (1)Specify opposite corner: Specify opposite corner (2)

The drawing shows two views (A and B) of the lever and spring housing, to reflect two different states of compression.


Starting Spring Calculations

First, you specify the spring and the location.

To specify a spring

1 Start the Compression Spring command.

Menu Content ➤ Springs ➤ Compression

Command AMCOMP2D


2 In the Select Compression Spring dialog, choose Standards ➤ SPEC® Catalog A and Front View.


Specify starting point: Specify the starting point (1)Specify direction: Specify endpoint (2)


Specifying Spring Restrictions

Now, you specify the spring restrictions. The Compression Springs dialog allows you to restrict the spring selection in various ways.

To specify the spring restrictions

1 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog, specify:

Specification: 2 Loads, 2 LengthsAbsolute Set: Lengths

2 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog, choose the Da button.


A row for specifying the outer diameter Da is added to the restrictions table.

3 Click into the value field for the diameter Da and choose the now appearing pick icon.


Specify point for spring diameter:Select a point on the inner spring housing contour (1)

Now, define the initial spring length.


5 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog, click into the value field for the length L1 and choose the now appearing pick icon.


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.


7 In the Compression Springs dialog, click into the value field for the length L2 and choose the now appearing pick icon.


Specify point for spring length L2:Select a point on the spring pressure plate in view B (1)

Now, you have defined the geometric boundary conditions, and you can pro-ceed with the calculation.


Calculating and Selecting Springs

Now, make the calculation settings and calculate the possible springs.

To calculate and select a spring

1 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog, choose the Additional Calculation Settings button.

2 In the Compression Springs - Additional Calculation [ANSI] dialog, select the left buckling case, and choose OK.


3 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog, choose Next >.

The possible springs are calculated and the results are displayed in the Com-pression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog.

4 Choose Select All to select all possible springs for the dynamic dragging process.

Choose Finish.


Inserting Springs

Now, you can 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 Select SPEC - 1.6 x 14.1 x 36 and click the left mouse button.


Topical Length (14.28 - 36) [Force/Deflection] <32.01>:Select a point on the spring pressure plate (1)


Select rod (only closed contours) <Enter=continue>:Select objects: Press ENTER

The spring is inserted as shown below.

Save your file.


Copying Springs with Power Copy

Now, copy the previously inserted spring from view A to view B, using the Power Copy command.

To copy a spring

1 Start the Power Copy command


Command AMPOWERCOPY


Select objects: Select the spring in view ASpecify starting point: Select point (1) in view BSpecify direction: Select point (2) in view B

3 Continue responding to the prompts as follows:

Select rod (only closed contours) <Enter=continue>:Select objects: Press ENTERInsert part reference: Press ENTER

The spring is copied into view B. However, you need to adjust the length of the spring in view B.


Editing Springs with Power Edit

NOTE You can also start Power Edit by double-clicking the object you want to edit - in this case the spring.

To edit a spring

1 Start the Power Edit command.


Command AMPOWEREDIT


Select object: Select the spring in view B

The Compression Spring - Select from Tables [mm] dialog is displayed.

3 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables [mm] dialog, choose Finish.


Topical Length (14.28 - 36) [Force/Deflection] <32.01>:Select the lower contact point of the compressed spring (1)



Select rod (only closed contours) <Enter=continue>:Select objects: Press ENTER

AutoCAD Mechanical reinserts the spring in its new compressed length into the housing.

NOTE If there is a rod in the center of the compression spring, you have to select the rod so that the representation of the background will be displayed correctly.

The Spring command provides a very useful tool for generating complex springs in your design. This is the end of this tutorial chapter.

Save your file.


In This Chapter

Calculating Screw Connections

17■ Starting the screw calculation

■ Selecting and specifying a screw

■ Selecting and specifying a nut

■ Selecting and specifying a washer

■ Specifying the plate geometry and properties

■ Specifying the contact area

■ Specifying the loads and moments

■ Specifying the settlement

■ Specifying the tightening

■ Creating and inserting the result block

In this tutorial, you can calculate a screw connection

using the stand-alone screw calculation function in

AutoCAD® Mechanical 6.

277

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

shear force A force perpendicular to the screw axis

stress A force or pressure on a part. Stress is the force per area

278 | Chapter 17 Calculating Screw Connections

Methods for Calculating Screws

The Screw Calculation provides two different ways to calculate a screw connection:

■ Stand-alone calculation: All data and properties are specified by the user.■ Calculation of an existing screw connection: The user selects an existing

screw connection to be calculated. All geometrical and standard-related data is taken from the screw connection and cannot be edited.

In this exercise, we use the stand-alone Screw Calculation. The stand-alone calculation enables you to calculate a screw connection without any prereq-uisites. You can specify the screw connection in detail (material, geometric, load, settlement and tightening properties). In this exercise, you are provided with the drawing of a screw calculation. Some values will be selected from tables, some will be entered manually, and some will be taken directly from the drawing.


To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains the representation of a screw connection.


Methods for Calculating Screws | 279

Terms of reference:

Two hollow shafts made of Cq 45 with forged coupling flanges are to be con-nected by 13 hex-head bolts ISO 4017 M12 x 45 - 10.9, which are arranged at a pitch diameter of 130 mm. The through holes are according to ISO 273 close. The bolts are safeguarded against loosening by gluing the threads (µ = 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

First, you have to start the Screw Calculation.

To start the Screw Calculation

1 Start the Screw Calculation command.

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ Screw Calculation

Command AMSCREWCALC


Select screw connection <Stand alone calculation>: Press ENTER

The Screw Calculation dialog box opens. Now, you have to specify the screw connection.

Selecting and Specifying Screws

In this section of the screw calculation, you can select the screw standard and size as well as the material properties. You are also able to enter the geomet-rical properties of a user-defined screw, for example in detail.

Now, select and specify the screw.


To specify a screw

1 On the Screw: Geometry tab, choose Table of Screws.

2 In the Select a Screw dialog box, choose Hex Head Types and ISO 4017 (Regular Thread).

3 In the Select a Row dialog box, choose the standard M12x45. Choose OK.

Now, the geometrical values of the standard screw ISO 4017 M12x45 are entered and you have to specify the property class.

Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations | 281

4 Choose the Screw: Material tab.

5 In the property class section, specify:

Standard: DINProperty class: 10.9

With this, the screw is specified completely and you have to specify the nut.

6 Choose Next or the Definition of NUT icon in the top row to proceed.


Selecting and Specifying Nuts

In this section of the screw calculation, you can select the nut standard and size.

To specify a nut

1 On the Nut tab, choose Table of Nuts.

2 In the Select a Nut dialog box, choose Hex Nuts and ISO 4032 (Regular Thread).

You don’t have to specify a size, because the size is determined by the screw size.

Now, you have to specify the washers.

3 Choose Next or the Definition of WASHERS icon in the top row to proceed.


Selecting and Specifying Washers

In this section of the screw calculation, you can select the washer standard and size as well as the positions of the washers.

To specify a washer

1 Choose the Washer under: Head 1 tab.

2 Clear the check box Washer.

3 Choose the Washer under: Nut 1 tab.

4 Choose Table of Washers.

5 In the Select a Washer dialog box, choose ISO 7091.

Now, you have to specify the plates.

6 Choose Next or the Definition of PLATES icon in the top row to proceed.


Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties

In this section of the screw calculation, you can select the plate materials and their geometric properties.

To specify the plates

1 On the plates tab, specify:

Hole diameter dh: 13Number of Plates: 2Height of plate 1 h1: 13Height of plate 2 h2: 13

2 For the definition of both plate materials, choose Table.

3 In the dialog box, choose DIN material.

4 Choose the material Cq 45. Choose OK.

Now, you have to specify the contact area.


5 Choose the Gaps and Chamfers tab and choose the pick button of the value gr.


Specify first point: Select the point (1)Second point: Select the point (2) as shown in the following figure

7 Choose Next or the Definition of CONTACT AREA icon in the top row to proceed.


Specifying Contact Areas

In this section of the screw calculation, you can specify the geometric prop-erties of the contact area.

To specify the contact area

1 On the contact area tab, choose the Type of Contact Area icon.

2 In the Select the Type of Contact Area dialog box, choose the third of the predefined icons.

3 Select the check box User Changes.

4 In the entry field, specify:

ang: 27.5


5 For the outer radius ro, choose the pick button next to the entry field and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify first point: Select the point (1)Second point: Select the point (2)

6 For the inner radius ri, choose the pick button next to the entry field and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify first point: Select the point (1)Second point: Select the point (3)

Now, you have to specify the loads and moments.

7 Choose Next or the Definition of LOADS icon in the top row to proceed.


Specifying Loads and Moments

In this section of the screw calculation, you can specify the loads and moments as well as their points of application.

To specify loads and moments

1 On the Axial Loads tab, clear the check box Dynamic and specify:

Force FB: 0


2 Choose the Shear Loads tab and specify:

Torsion Moment T[Nm]: 185Radius R: 65Coefficient of Friction mt: 0.14

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.

Now, you have to specify the settlement.

3 Choose Next or the Definition of SETTLEMENT icon in the top row to pro-ceed.


Specifying Settlement Properties

In this section of the screw calculation, you can specify settlement properties.

To specify the settlement

1 Activate Calculate from Roughness and >= 1.6 micro m.

Now, you have to specify the tightening.

2 Choose Next or the Definition of TIGHTEN icon in the top row to proceed.


Specifying Tightening Properties

In this section of the screw calculation, you can specify the tightening method and properties.

To specify the tightening

1 Specify as follows:

Tightening Factor kA: 1.8Coefficient of Friction in Thread miG: 0.14

Now, you have to insert the result block.

2 Choose Next or the RESULTS icon in the top row to proceed.


Creating and Inserting Result Blocks

In this 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.

Now, insert the result block.


To insert a result block

1 Choose Finish and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify start point: Specify a point right of the screw connectionSpecify next point <Symbol>: Press ENTER

Now, the result block is inserted at the specified location.


Save your file.

294

In This Chapter

Calculating Stress Using FEA

18■ Calculating the stress in a lever

■ Defining loads and supports

■ Calculating the results

■ Evaluating and refining the mesh

■ Improving the design

■ Recalculating the stress

In this tutorial, you calculate the stresses in a lever using

the finite element analysis (FEA) in AutoCAD®

Mechanical 6. You use the results to improve the design

of the lever.

295

Key Terms

Term Definition

distributed force A force that is spread over an area.

FEA Finite Element Analysis. A calculation routine, or method. Calculates stress and deformation in a plane for plates with a specified thickness, or in a cross section with individual forces, stretching loads, and fixed and/or movable supports. The FEA routine uses its own layer group for input and output.

fixed support A support that is fixed to a part and is fixed in axial direction.

load Forces and moments that act on a part.

movable support A support that is not fixed in axial direction.

Power Edit A single edit command for the objects in your drawing.

stress Force or pressure on a part. Stress is force per area.

296 | Chapter 18 Calculating Stress Using FEA

2D FEA

Design sophistication in the area of mechanical engineering and construc-tion is increasing. Therefore, the calculations relating to these designs have to be performed using more advanced tools in order to assure reliability.

To determine the stability and durability of a given structure under various loading situations, you need to observe the stress and deformation in the components while they are being loaded. A structure is considered to be durable if the maximum stress is less than what the material permits.

Various computational methods have been developed for calculating deformation and stress conditions. One of these methods is called the Finite Element Analysis.

The knowledge gained from this stress rating may lead to changing the struc-ture in certain areas, which in turn necessitates changes to the design.

The FEA routine uses its own layer group for input and output.

Note that FEA is not designed for solving all special FEA tasks. Its purpose is to provide you with a quick idea of the stress and deformation distributions.


To open a drawing


Menu File ➤ Open

Command OPEN

The drawing contains a lever, which is the basis for your calculations.

2 Zoom in to the lever.


Command ZOOM

2D FEA | 297

The complete lever should be displayed on your screen.


Calculating the Stress in a Lever

Before you calculate the stress in a part, you have to specify the border conditions.

To specify the border conditions

1 Activate the FEA calculation

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ FEA

Command AMFEA2D


Specify interior point: Specify a point inside the contour


The FEA 2D Calculation dialog box opens so that you can define border con-ditions and perform calculations.

Select the thickness and the material of the lever.

3 In the Default section, enter a thickness of 10.

4 Choose Table, and select the material from your preferred standard table: Select Al. Alloys Diecast if you prefer to use ANSI materials.

5 Choose Config to open the FEA Configuration dialog box, and specify:

Scale Factor for Symbols: 0.1

6 Choose OK to return to the FEA 2D - calculation dialog box.

2D FEA | 299

Defining Loads and Supports

To perform calculations, you need to define the loads and supports.

To specify loads and supports

1 Choose the fixed line support button, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (1)Specify endpoint: Specify point (2)Specify side from endpoint: Specify a point above the contour

2 Choose the movable line support button, and respond to the prompts as fol-lows:

Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>:Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click, and choose Quadrant _

qua of: Specify point (3)Specify endpoint: Press ENTER to define the starting point as the endpoint


3 Choose the line force button, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (5)Specify endpoint: Specify point (4)Specify side from endpoint: Specify a point to the right of the specified pointsEnter a new value <1000 N/mm>: Enter 500

4 Choose the line force button again, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (6)Specify endpoint: Specify point (7)Specify side from endpoint: Specify a point to the right of the specified pointsEnter a new value <1000 N/mm>: Enter 500

2D FEA | 301

Calculating Results

Before you calculate the results, you need to generate a mesh.

NOTE If you calculate results without creating a mesh in advance, the mesh will be created automatically.

To calculate the results

1 Choose the mesh button and press ENTER to return to the dialog.

2 Choose the isolines (isoareas) button.

3 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, select the Graphic Representa-tion button on the right, and choose OK.


Specify base point <Return = in boundary>:Press ENTER to place the isoareas in the boundary

Insertion point: Select a point to place the table to the left of the part<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box



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.

2D FEA | 303

To refine the mesh

1 Choose the left refining button, and respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify center point <Return=Continue>: Specify the points near points 8 and 9Specify center point <Return=Continue>: Press ENTER to continue meshing<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box

After this step, you get a refined mesh at the specified points.

Recalculate the stress representation.


3 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, choose the Graphic Representation button on the right, and choose OK.

Respond to the prompts as follows:Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Press ENTERInsertion point: To the left of the part, select a location for the table<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box


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 solu-tions have to be deleted.

To edit the geometry

1 Choose the Delete Solution button.

2 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose Yes to delete the solutions and results.

3 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose No to keep the loads and sup-ports.

4 Start Power Edit to change the radius, and respond to the prompt as follows:


Command AMPOWEREDIT

Select objects: Select the radius at point 8

2D FEA | 305

5 In the Fillet Radius dialog box, specify:

Input: 10

Choose OK.

Select objects: Press ENTER to cancel the command

The radius of the fillet is changed to 10.



Command ZOOM

Save your file.

Recalculating Stress

Before recalculating the stress division of the lever, calculate and display the deformation.

To calculate the stress

1 Restart the FEA routine.

Menu Content ➤ Calculations ➤ FEA

Command AMFEA2D


Specify interior point: Specify a point inside the contour

Select the thickness and the material of the lever again, as you did it before.

3 In the Default section, enter a thickness of 10.

4 Choose Table, and select the material from your preferred standard table: Select Al. Alloys Diecast if you prefer to use ANSI materials.


5 Choose the deformation button in the Results field.

6 In the FEA 2D - Displacements dialog box, choose OK.


Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Press ENTERInsertion point: To the right of the part, select a location for the table<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box


Recalculate the stress division of the lever.

2D FEA | 307


9 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, choose the Graphic Representa-tion button on the right, and choose OK.


Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Press ENTERSpecify insertion point: To the left of the part, select a location for the table<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box

11 Choose Close to leave the FEA 2D - Calculation.


The final result looks like this:

NOTE You can return to the FEA 2D - Calculation using Power Edit.

This is the end of this tutorial chapter.Save your file.

2D FEA | 309

In This Chapter

Designing and Calculating Cams

19■ Starting the cam design and

calculation

■ Defining the motion sections

■ Calculating the Strength

■ Exporting cam data and viewing the results

AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 provides tools for cam design

and calculations. The cam contour is calculated and

based on existing boundary conditions while data for

NC production is also created.

311

Key Terms

Term Definition

acceleration Graph of acceleration of the straight driven element of the rotation angle acceleration of a rocker and the cam plate angle of rotation.

cam Types of gears for obtaining unusual and irregular motions that would be difficult to produce otherwise.

curve path Geometric shape of the cam.

motion diagram The representation of the cam as a graph of the lift and the angle of rotation of the cam plate (straight driven element). If the driven element is a rocker, the lift corresponds to an angle of rotation of the rocker.

motion section Part of the motion diagram. Some sections are defined by design. For example, the maximum lift of 15 mm is reached at an angle of 90°.

NC Numerical Control. Used in the manufacturing industry to represent the control on machine tool motion through numeric data for 2 to 5 axis machining.

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.

312 | Chapter 19 Designing and Calculating Cams

Designing and Calculating Cams

With cam design and calculation, you can implement all motions required in the scope of process control with a minimum number of gear elements. The basis for systematic design procedures is offered using standardized laws of movement in the development of new cam gears.

With AutoCAD Mechanical, you are able to create cams (linear, circular, and cylindrical cams) based on sections drawn in a motion diagram. You can also calculate velocity and acceleration of an existing section of the motion diagram. The cam curve path can be determined with the calculated cam sections. An existing curve path can be scanned and transferred in the motion diagram. A driven element can be coupled to the cam. NC data can be created using the curve path.

With cam design and calculation, you generate a circular cam and a swinging follower with a single roller. You also calculate the spring of the follower. The cam and the follower will be inserted in the drawing together with the motion diagrams. At the end you generate the NC data for the cam production.

First, you have to start with an ISO drawing template.

To open a template


Menu File ➤ New

Command NEW

The AutoCAD Today dialog box is displayed.

2 In the Today dialog box, in the section My Drawings, change to the tab Create Drawings and select the template am_iso.dwt.

This opens a new drawing template.

Save your file under a descriptive name (for example cam_tutorial.dwg).

Designing and Calculating Cams | 313

Starting Cam Designs and Calculations

The first task is to start the cam routine.

To start cam design and calculation

1 Start the cam design and calculation.

Menu Content ➤ Cams

Command AMCAM

First, specify the cam.

2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Cam tab, specify:

Type: CircularRevolutions [1/min]: 100Diameter of Body [mm]: 50

3 Choose the Follower button.

NOTE You can also step through the dialog using the Next> button.

4 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Follower tab, choose the Movement button.


5 In the Type of Follower dialog box, choose the Swinging button.

6 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Follower tab, specify the following settings, and choose the Profile button.

Now, specify the profile.

Here, you can select between a power-contact profile (inner or outer) or a form-contact profile (both outer). We specify a inner profile which requires a spring to keep contact.


7 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Profile tab, specify the following settings, and choose the Location button.

The dialog box will be hidden to specify a location for the cam and the fol-lower in the drawing.


Specify center of cam: 100,100Specify center of follower swing [Undo]: @100,0Specify start of movement [Undo]: @90<157.36Specify origin of movement diagram [Undo/Window] <Window>:

Specify a point next to the camSpecify length of movement diagram [Undo]: @360,0

The cam and the follower are inserted into the drawing with the motion diagram. Your drawing looks like this:


The Cam Design and Calculation dialog box is opened again.

Defining Motion Sections

Now, we define 5 motion sections to describe the cam.

To specify motions

1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, choose the Motions button.

2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Motion tab, choose the New button.


In the Select Method to Add New Section dialog box, you are asked whether you want to insert or append a new motion section.

3 Choose Append.

Now, define the first motion section.

4 In the Motion - New mode dialog, specify the following settings, and choose OK.

Position [deg] <from - to> 0 -: 90Elevation [deg] 0 -: 0

The motion is inserted into the drawing and you are reverted back to the Cam Design and Calculation dialog.

Now, define the next motions to describe the cam.



6 In the Select Method to Add New Section dialog box, choose Append.

7 In the Motion - New mode dialog, specify the following settings, and choose the Context of Follower movement button.



8 Choose Dwell - Constant Velocity (second button from left).


Curve: 5th polynomialVelocity [rad/s] 0 -: 2

The next motion section has to be ‘Constant Velocity’ since the motion sec-tion before is ‘Dwell - Constant Velocity’.






13 Choose Constant Velocity (first button from left).

The routine has recalculated the elevation and inserted the correct value 10.73.

Choose OK.





17 Choose Constant Velocity - Reverse (fourth button from left).



Acceleration [rad/s^2] 0 -: -60

Now, define the last motion section to complete the 360 degrees.




Position [deg] <from - to> 220 -: 36022 The routine calculates the correct values for the end position automatically.


Curve: Harmonic Combination


The definition of the motion section is completed. All motion sections are displayed in the list.

The definition of the geometry is finished with this.


Calculating Strength for Springs

Now, we perform a strength calculation for the spring.

To calculate the strength

1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, check Strength, and choose the Strength button.

2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Loads tab, specify the following settings:

External Force [N] Fe =: 20Reduced Mass of the Follower [kg] mf =: 0.1Reduced Inert Mass [kg] mi =: 0.07


3 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Spring tab, specify the following settings:

Preload [N] F0 =: 10Mass of Spring [kg] ms =: 0.08Spring Location [mm] ls =: 45Spring Rate [N/mm] R: User Change: 30

NOTE You have to check User Change to enter the Spring Rate.

In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Material tab, you can specify the material for cam and roller. We want to use the default material.


4 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Arm tab, specify the following settings:

Dimensions of Arm [mm] d =: 8

5 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, choose Results. You can choose other types of cross sections for the arms.

6 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, choose Calculation.

All calculation results are displayed clearly on the respective tabs:

Geometry: Displays the geometric properties and enables to optimize the cam position.


Pressure: Displays the Hertz pressure safety. You can display the pressure at any point of the cam by choosing Simulation and dragging the mouse pointer over the cam.

Frequency: Displays the resonance frequency and the safety against resonance effects.

Shaft: Displays the loads on the shaft as well as the necessary drive power for the cam. You can display the shaft loads at any point of the cam by choos-ing Simulation and dragging the mouse pointer over the cam.

Arm: Displays the stress on the arm. You can display the arm stress at any point of the cam by choosing Simulation and dragging the mouse pointer over the cam.

Bearing: Displays the middle normal force on the bearing.

Spring: Displays the results of the spring calculation. You can display the results at any point of the cam by choosing Simulation and dragging the mouse pointer over the cam.

3D Cam: Enables you to generate a 3D body of the cam.


Exporting Cam Data and Viewing the Results

In this exercise, we export TXT cam data for a NC machine.

To export cam data

1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, choose the Export button.

2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the File tab, specify the following, and choose Generate File.

Export Curves: InnerPrecision [mm]: 0.01Data Type: File: TXTData Type: Coordinates: Polar

Save the file under a descriptive name.

3 In the Save As dialog specify a file name and location, and choose Save.

Now, your cam is completely designed and calculated.

4 Choose Finish to view your results.

5 Respond to prompts as follows:

Specify insertion point of result table: Specify a location for the result table



This is the end of the tutorial chapter.

Save your file.


In This Appendix

Toolbar Icons

A
Use this appendix as a guide to become acquainted with
AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 toolbar icons.

331

Main Toolbar

Main Toolbar - New

Main Toolbar - Basic Layer

Hel

p

New

Op

enSa

veBa

sic

Laye

rLa

yer

Func

tions

Und

oIn

qui

ryA

utoC

AD

Mch

anic

alTo

day

Publ

ish

to W

ebeT

rans

mit

dbC

onne

ctA

utoC

AD

Des

ignC

ente

rPo

wer

Edi

tPo

wer

Era

sePo

wer

Cop

yPo

wer

Dim

ensi

onin

gPo

wer

Sna

pC

omp

ass

Rose

UC

SRe

draw

All

NewPrint PreviewPlotSpelling

ContourContourContourHiddenHidden NarrowAuxiliary LineDimension/AnnotationTextCenterline WideCenterline NarrowHatchSection LinePhantom

332 | Appendix A Toolbar Icons

Main Toolbar - Layer Functions

Main Toolbar - Undo

Main Toolbar - Inquiry

Main Toolbar - AutoCAD Mechanical Today

Main Toolbar - dbConnect

Layer/Layer Group ControlVisibility EnhancementMove to Another LayerMove to Another GroupMake Object’s Layer CurrentC-Lines On/OffPartref On/OffInvisible Lines On/OffTitle Block On/Off

UndoRedo

ListLocate PointDistanceAreaCalculator

AutoCAD Mechanical TodayAutodesk Point AStreamlineMeet Now

dbConnectLibraryInsert Hyperlink

Main Toolbar | 333

Main Toolbar - Power Edit

Main Toolbar - Power Erase

Main Toolbar - Power Copy

Main Toolbar - Power Dimensioning

Power EditObject PropertiesMatch PropertiesEdit PolylineEdit SplineEdit Reference

Power EraseEraseOOP’s

Power CopyPower RecallPower View Power Manipulator

Power DimensioningAutomatic DimensioningDimension AngleHole ChartsFits ListMulti EditArrange DimensionsLinear/Symmetric StretchAlign DimensionJoin DimensionsInsert DimensionBreak DimensionUnits 0 Decimal Place


Main Toolbar - Power Dimensioning - Units

Main Toolbar - Power Snap

Main Toolbar - Compass Rose

Units 0 Decimal PlaceUnits 1 Decimal PlaceUnits 2 Decimal PlacesUnits 3 Decimal PlacesUnits 4 Decimal Places

User ConfigurationUser Configuration 1User Configuration 2User Configuration 3User Configuration 4

Relative PointRel. Ang. 0 degRel. Ang. 45 degRel. Ang. 90 degRel. Ang. 135 degRel. Ang. 180 degRel. Ang. 225 degRel. Ang. 270 degRel. Ang. 315 deg

Main Toolbar | 335

Main Toolbar - UCS

Zoom Toolbar

Zoom Toolbar - RTZOOM

UCSNamed UCSPreset UCS

UCS Previous

World UCSObject UCSFace UCSView UCS

Origin UCSZ Axis Vector UCS3 Point UCS

X Axis Rotate UCSY Axis Rotate UCSZ Axis Rotate UCS

Apply UCS

Zoom RealtimePan RealtimeZoom WindowZoom ExtentsZoom Previous

Zoom Realtime3D Orbit


Zoom Toolbar - ZOOM2

Design Toolbar

Design Toolbar - Draw

Zoom WindowZoom DynamicZoom ScaleZoom Center

Zoom InZoom Out

Zoom All

Launches Draw ToolbarLaunches Edit Toolbar

Detail2D HideXref

Launches Draw ToolbarPolylineLineArcSplineRectanglePolygonCircleCenterlineHatchConstruction LineConstruction Edit

Design Toolbar | 337

Design Toolbar - Draw - Line

Design Toolbar - Draw - Arc

Design Toolbar - Draw - Rectangle

Design Toolbar - Draw - Circle

LineSymmetrical LinesBreak Out LineSection LineZig-Zag Line

Arc 3 PointsArc Start Center EndArc Start Center AngleArc Start End AngleArc Start End RadiusArc Center Start EndArc Center Start Angle

RectangleRectangle-Full Base-Full HeightRectangle-Base Middle-Second CornerRectangle-Base Middle-Full Base-Full HeightRectangle-Base Middle-Half Base-Full HeightRectangle-Height Middle-Second CornerRectangle-Height Middle-Full Base-Full HeightRectangle-Height Middle-Full Base-Half HeightRectangle-Center-Second CornerRectangle-Center-Full Base-Full Height

Circle Center RadiusCircle Center DiameterCircle 2 PointCircle 3 PointCircle Tan Tan RadiusEllipseDonut


Design Toolbar - Draw - Centerline

Design Toolbar - Draw - Hatch

Design Toolbar - Draw - Construction

Design Toolbar - Draw - Construction Edit

CenterlinesCenterline CrossCenterline Cross with Hole

Hatch 45 deg., 2.5 mm/0.1 inchHatch 45 deg., 5 mm/0.22 inchHatch 45 deg., 13 mm/0.5 inchHatch 135 deg., 2.7mm/0.11 inchHatch 135 deg., 4.7 mm/0.19 inchHatch 135 deg., 11 mm/0.4 inchUser-Defined HatchDouble Hatch 45/135 deg., 2.3 mm/0.09 inch

HorizontalVerticalCross2 Points or AngleRelative Angle from LineParallel with Full DistanceParallel with Half DistancePerpendicular to 2 PointsCircle

Perpendicular to LineBi-sectMore C-Lines

Erase C-LinesErase All C-LinesAutomatic C-Line CreationTrace ContourSwitch Ray / Xline

Design Toolbar | 339

Design Toolbar - Modify

Design Toolbar - Modify - 2D Operations

Design Toolbar - Modify - Break

Design Toolbar - Modify - Stretch

Design Toolbar - 2D Hide

Launches Edit ToolbarRotateMoveAlignCopy2D OperationsOffsetExtendTrimLengthenJoin EntitiesBreakStretchFilletChamfer

MirrorArray

BreakBreak at 1PointSelect and Break

StretchScale X, YScale

Hide Invisible EdgesEdit Hidden Edges


Design Toolbar - Xref

Assistance Toolbar

Assistance Toolbar - Block Create

Assistance Toolbar - Xref/Block Insert

Assistance Toolbar - Title Block

Auto Detailing

External Reference External Reference SettingExternal Reference Bind

Block CreateXref/Insert BlockTitle BlockTextPaper/Model Space

Create BlockWBlock

Insert BlockExternal Reference AttachExplode

Drawing Title/BordersPlot Date in TitleAdd One Revision Line

Assistance Toolbar | 341

Assistance Toolbar - Text

Assistance Toolbar - Paper/Model Space

Annotation Toolbar

Annotation Toolbar - Symbols

M TextDTEXTLanguage ConverterText from Language ConverterText M=7.0Text M=5.0Text M=3.5

Mspace <-> PspaceViewport/Scale AreaScale MonitorZoom All ViewportsViewport Auto Create

SymbolsLeader NoteBOM Database

Surface TextureFeature Control FrameDatum IdentifierDatum TargetFeature IdentifierWelding SymbolSimple WeldEdge Symbols


Annotation Toolbar - Leader

Annotation Toolbar - BOM

Leader NoteAppend Leader

BOM DatabaseBalloonPart ReferenceParts ListPart Reference EditPart List/Balloons

Annotation Toolbar | 343

Content Toolbar

Content - Screws

Content - Holes

ScrewsHolesShaft GeneratorStandardtoolsStandard PartsCalculations

Screw ConnectionScrew TemplateScrewNutWasher

Through HolesTapped Through HolesExternal ThreadsBlind HolesTapped Blind HolesCounterboresCountersinksThread EndsThrough SlotsBlind Slots


Content - Shaft Generator

Content - Standardtools

Content - Standard Parts

Shaft GeneratorParallel/Woodruff KeysRetaining Rings/CirclipsSealsAdjusting RingsCenterholesUndercutsShaft BreaksRoller BearingsPlain BearingsShaft Lock NutsShim Rings

Change RepresentationLeader Note

Plain RivetsCountersunk Rivets

Parts Library

Steel Shapes

Cylindrical PinsTaper PinsGrooved Drive StudsSplit/Cotter Pins

Clevis Pins

Springs

PlugsLubricatorsSealing Rings

Drill BushingsDrill Bushings with Hole

Content Toolbar | 345

Content - Springs

Content - Calculation

Content - Calculation - Chain/Belt Calculation

Content - Calculation - Springs

Compression SpringsExtension SpringsTorsion SpringsBelleville Springs

FEAScrew CalculationShaft CalculatorMoment of InertiaPredefined Profile SectionDeflection LineBearing CalculatorCam ConfigurationDraw Sprocket / PulleySprings

Draw Sprocket/PulleyLength CalculationDraw Chain/Belt Links

Compression SpringsExtension SpringsTorsion SpringsBelleville Springs


Power Snap Toolbar

Power Snap Toolbar - Point Filter

l8 Layer AM_8AMLAY

Temporary Tracking PointSnap FromPoint Filter

Entity Filter On/OffIgnore Z Coordinate On/Off

EndpointMidpointIntersectionApparent Intersection

Rectangle CenterVirtual IntersectionMid of 2 PointsSymmetryCenterQuadrantPerpendicularTangentNode

InsertionSnap to ParallelNearestNone

X FilterY FilterXY FilterZ FilterXZ FilterYZ Filter

Power Snap Toolbar | 347

In This Appendix

Layer Specifications

B■ Layer Specifications
This appendix contains a list of the layer specifications
for AutoCAD® Mechanical 6.

349

Layer Specification Listing

The AutoCAD Mechanical layer system is comprised of the following layers:

Description Name Color Linetype Lineweight Base

Contour AM_0 7 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no


ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no


ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Hidden AM_3 6 ISO: AM_ISO02W050ANSI: Hidden

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Auxiliary Line AM_4 3 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Dimension/Annotation

AM_5 3 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Text AM_6 2 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.35mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Centerline AM_7 4 ISO: AM_ISO08W050ANSI: Center

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Hatch AM_8 1 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Behind AM_9 253 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

0 no

Section Line AM_10 7 ISO: AM_ISO08W050ANSI: Center

ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Phantom AM_11 3 ISO: AM_ISO09W050ANSI: Phantom2

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Part Reference Objects

AM_12 7 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Std. Parts: Contour AM_0N 7 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no


ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

350 | Appendix B Layer Specifications


ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Std. Parts: Hidden AM_3N 6 ISO: AM_ISO02W050ANSI: Hidden

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Std. Parts: Auxiliary Line

AM_4N 3 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Std. Parts: Dimension /Annotation


ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Std. Parts: Text AM_6N 2 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.35mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Std. Parts: Centerline

AM_7N 4 ISO: AM_ISO08W050ANSI: Center

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Std. Parts: Hatch AM_8N 1 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Std. Parts: Behind AM_9N 253 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

0 no

Std. Parts: Section Line

AM_10N 7 ISO: AM_ISO08W050ANSI: Center

ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Std. Parts: Phantom

AM_11N 3 ISO: AM_ISO09W050ANSI: Phantom2

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

no

Std. Parts: Part Reference Objects


ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

no

Construction Line AM_CL 1 ISO: AmconstrANSI: Amconstr

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

yes

Part Reference AM_PAREF 4 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

yes

Border/Title Block AM_BOR 7 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.5mm/ANSI: 0.3mm=0.012’

yes

Viewport AM_VIEWS 1 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

yes

Behind (extra) AM_INV 253 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

0 yes

Trailing Line AM_TR 3 ISO: ContinuousANSI: Continuous

ISO: 0.25mm/ANSI: 0.15mm=0.006’

yes

Description Name Color Linetype Lineweight Base

Layer Specification Listing | 351

In This Appendix

Title Block Attributes

C■ Title Block Attributes
This appendix will help you to learn about the
AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 title block attributes.

353

Title Block Attributes

AutoCAD Mechanical 6 offers several different title blocks you can choose from. To customize these title blocks, it is important to understand their attributes. This appendix will give you an overview which text and attributes are available in a title block, and their location within the title block structure.

Attributes for Title Block

When a title block drawing is inserted, it is displayed with attributes, curly brackets, and text messages, that refer to the message files from which the attribute is called.

Attribute DefinitionsThe following definitions are assigned to the attributes used in the title block:

Attribute Definitions for Title Block and Drawing Border

Attribute Definition

GEN-TITLE-NR Drawing Number

GEN-TITLE-DWG File Name

GEN-TITLE-MAT1 Material

GEN-TITLE-MAT2 Material (second line)

GEN-TITLE-DES1 Drawing Name

GEN-TITLE-DES2 Subtitle

GEN-TITLE-NAME Name of the Draftsperson

354 | Appendix C Title Block Attributes

Curly BracketsThe curly brackets behind the attribute display the ratio of the defined width for the text to the text height.

Example: If you want to enter a text with the height of 5 units, and the width of the available space is 100 units, the value {20} has to be entered. In this case the text is fit exactly. If a text with a greater height is inserted afterwards (for example 8), the value in the curly brackets also has to be adjusted (to {12.5}); otherwise, the text is displayed outside the available space.

Message FilesMessage files are text files that contain the attributes which are displayed in the Change Title Block Entry dialog when you are inserting a drawing border. These attributes change, depending on the selected drawing border and standard.

The message files can be found in the acadm/translator directory. You can modify or extend the message files to meet your specifications.

GEN-TITLE-QTY Quantity

GEN-TITLE-SCA Scale Factor

GEN-TITLE-POSI Position Number

GEN-TITLE-CHKM Checked By

GEN-TITLE-CHKD Check Date

GEN-TITLE-DAT Completion Date

GEN-TITLE-SHEET Page

GEN-TITLE-PLOT Plot Date

Attribute Definitions for Title Block and Drawing Border

Title Block Attributes | 355

In This Appendix

Accelerator Keys

D■ Using Accelerator Keys
Use this appendix as a guide to help you get acquainted
with AutoCAD® Mechanical 6 accelerator keys.

357

Accelerator Keys

Many frequently used commands are accessible using automated shortcuts known as accelerator keys. Accelerator keys are available for AutoCAD as well as for AutoCAD® Mechanical.

WARNING! Accelerator keys are automatically loaded when you install AutoCAD Mechanical 6. Accelerator keys specific to AutoCAD Mechanical 6 are appended at the end of the acad.pgp file. If you have created custom accelerator keys with the same letter combinations as those in the following table, they will be superseded because the last entry in the file is activated by the keystrokes. To restore your custom accelerator keys, move the definition to the end of the acad.pgp file.

To use an accelerator key to start a command

1 On the command line, enter the key(s) that correspond to the command you want to use.

2 Press ENTER, the spacebar, or the right mouse button to execute the com-mand.

Accelerator keys available in AutoCAD Mechanical 6

Key Function Command

bal Place Balloon AMBALLOON

cb Centerline Cross with Hole AMCENCRHOLE

cha Chamfer AMCHAM2D

cl Centerline AMCENTLINE

clin Draw C-Lines AMCONSTLINES

cloo C-Lines ON/OFF AMCLINEO

cr Copy+Rotate+Move AMCOPYRM

cs Centerline Cross AMCENCROSS

dan Angle Dimensioning AMPOWERDIM_ANG

dau Automatic Dimensioning AMAUTODIM

dmed Multi Edit AMDIMMEDIT

358 | Appendix C Accelerator Keys

f Fillet AMFILLET2D

h User Defined Hatch AMUSERHATCH

hioo Invisible Lines ON/OFF AMLAYINVO

l0 Layer AM_0 AMLAYER











lib Library AMLIBRARY

lg Layer/Layer Group Control AMLAYER

lgmo Move to another Layer Group AMLGMOVE

lgv Layer Group Visibility AMLAYVISENH

lmo Move to another Layer AMLAYMOVE

o Offset AMOFFSET

oo 3DOrbit 3DORBIT

par Create Part Reference AMPARTREF

pc Power Copy AMPOWERCOPY

pd Power Dimensioning AMPOWERDIM

ped Power Edit AMPOWEREDIT


Accelerator Keys | 359

per Power Erase AMPOWERERASE

prc Power Recall AMPOWERRECALL

proo Part Reference Layer ON/OFF AMLAYPARTREFO

pss Power Snap Settings 1-4 AMPOWERSNAP

rec Rectangle AMRECTANG

s1 Power Snap Settings 1 AMPSNAP1




sm Scale Monitor AMSCMONITOR

stoo Standard Parts Layer ON/OFF AMLAYPARTO

tioo Title Block Layer ON/OFF AMLAYTIBLO

txl Language Converter AMLANGCONV

u0 Units 0 AMUNIT_0

u1 Units 1 AMUNIT_1

u2 Units 2 AMUNIT_2

u3 Units 3 AMUNIT_3

u4 Units 4 AMUNIT_4

v1 Upper Left AMVIEWUL

v2 Upper Right AMVIEWUR

v3 Lower Left AMVIEWLL

v4 Lower Right AMVIEWLR

v5 Center AMVIEWCEN

val View All AMVIEWALL

vpoo Viewport Layer ON/OFF AMLAYVPO


360 | Appendix C Accelerator Keys

Index

Aacceleration 312adjusting ring 22angular dimensioning 118angular dimensions 30annotating 20associative view 106Authorized Autodesk Reseller 15Authorized Autodesk Training Center 15auto detailing 20AutoCAD Today dialog box 51, 71, 207, 313AutoCAD User’s Guide 7Autodesk Official Training Courseware 15Autodesk Point A 10Autodesk System Center 15Autodesk Technical Assistance Web site 15automatic dimensioning 20, 113Automatic Dimensioning dialog box 114

Bbackground 126, 142balloons 19, 178, 183base layer 46, 56, 94baseline dimensions 112Beam Calculation dialog box 244, 246beam calculations 21bearing 219bearing calculation 206, 219bearing calculations 21Belleville spring washers 22, 262belt 24belt and chain generator 20Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box

252, 255bending moment 32bills of material 19, 178blind hole 22, 168blind slot 23bolt 31

BOM database 38, 183, 189border conditions 299break dimensions 120break lines 19breaks 25Browser command access 8Bulletin Board 10

Ccalculation on bearing 22calculation tools 21cam 312cam design and calculation 311Cam Design and Calculation dialog box 314, 315,

316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 328

cam generator 21center text horizontally 34centerhole 23centerline 172centerline crosses 19centerlines 19, 112centroid 242chain 24, 259chain calculation 249chain length 249chain links 249chamfer 206, 213Change 18change representation 18circlip 27clevis pin 24command access methods 8command summary 22compression springs 24, 262configuration 40construction lines 26, 70, 74, 142, 173Construction Lines dialog box 75contact area 287

361

Context Menu command access 8contour 28contour lines 74copy 64cotter pin 25counterbore 25countersink 25, 142countersunk rivet 25create viewport 35crosshairs 30cross-hatching 84curve path 312custom filter 203cutting plane 32cylinder 210cylindrical pin 25

Ddefault layer 57default scale factor 35default template 52deflection line 32, 224, 240, 243deflection moment 224, 240design productivity 19Desktop Menu command access 8detail 70, 87, 94, 98Detail dialog box 88detailed views 19deviation 86dialog boxes

Mechanical Options 6Migration Assistance installation 9

dimension styles 6dimensioning 20, 85dimensions 111dimensions, adding 6distance snap 70distributed force 240, 296Documentation Update utility 14double-click editing 19Draw Chain/Belt dialog box 259drawing border 19, 34, 112, 121Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box 121drawing limits 47, 49drill bushing 26durability 297dynamic calculation 206dynamic dragging 142, 206, 262

Eedge symbols 26Edit Attributes dialog box 122edit hidden edges 134engineering calculation 21engineering features 18extension springs 26, 262external thread 26

Ffatigue factor 224FEA 21, 296FEA 2D Calculation dialog box 299FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box 302FEA Configuration dialog box 299feature control frame symbols 26feature identifier symbols 26features, standard 18fillet 81, 206, 213Fillet Radius dialog box 81fillets 26filters 201finite element analysis 297fit 112fits 26fits list 123fixed support 224, 229, 240, 296, 300foreground 126frequently used commands 358

Ggear 206, 210, 224Gear dialog box 230geometric dimensioning 20glossary of terms 7Grid lines 38grooved drive stud 26

Hhatch 27, 85hidden lines 126hide feature, 2D 20Hide Invisible Edges 128hole charts 19holes, standard 18hollow cylinders 27

Iinner shaft contours 32isoareas 301isolines 301

Kkeyseat 32

Llanguage conversion 19language converter 28Layer Control dialog box 48, 60, 61, 65, 108layer group 28, 46, 56, 59, 94layer management system 19layer organization 47Layer Specifications 349layer system 28, 350layers and layer groups 5layout 95

362 | Index

layouts 6, 94leader 29, 33leader line 187, 197leader note 20length calculation 252library 70Library dialog 28line 82line force 300linetypes 6lineweights 6List of Filters dialog box 202load 224, 240, 289, 296loads 26lock washer 32lubricator 28

Mmanage drawings 20manuals, printed and online 11Material dialog box 228, 245material properties 280Material Properties dialog box 227, 228mechanical layer 47, 57Mechanical Options dialog box 6, 48mechanical toolbar 33merge 194mesh 301, 304migrating files 9Migration Assistance installation dialog 9model space 31, 95, 100module 210moment 289moment of inertia 27, 240movable support 224, 229, 240, 296, 300movement diagram 312movement section 312mtext 34multi edit 112, 118

NNC 312New and Revised Commands 37new drawing 51Nominal Diameter dialog box 103notch 224nut 29

Oobject oriented construction 4object snap modes 30object snaps 73online documentation 7, 11online help 22o-ring 32outer shaft contours 32

Pparallel or woodruff key 32part information 179part layer 46, 56Part Ref Attributes dialog box 180, 182, 187part reference 29, 178, 179partition 250Parts Database dialog 33parts layers 28Parts List 38parts list 29, 40, 178, 188, 201Parts List dialog box 191, 202pin 170pitch diameter 250plain bearing 29plain rivet 29plug 29, 32point force 224, 240Point Load dialog box 231polyline 79Power Commands 70power commands 19Power Copy 142, 149, 262, 273power copy 133power dimension 20Power Dimensioning 70, 94, 112Power Dimensioning dialog box 86, 90, 105, 117Power Edit 142, 160, 262, 274, 296, 305Power Erase 112, 142, 165, 196Power Recall 142Power Snap Settings dialog box 74, 208Power View 142, 162power view 18, 133precalculation 156precision 86predefined templates 47printed documentation 7, 11produce support resources 15product support 14production drawing creation tools 19profile 212property class 282pulleys 33Pulleys and Sprockets dialog box 256

Qquick reference card 7

Rradius reflection line 206rectangle 30reference point 31relative point 30representation 142, 174representation of a standard part 33

Index | 363

rescaling objects 6resolution 312result block 293retaining ring 27revision lists 31roller bearing 31roller chain 250

Ssafety factor of shaft 32Save Drawing As dialog box 50scale area 31, 94, 95Scale Area dialog box 96scale areas 6scale factors 6scale monitor 94scaling 31screw 31Screw Assembly Grip Representation - Front View

dialog box 147Screw Assembly Templates dialog 32Screw Assembly Templates dialog box 155screw calculation 21, 279Screw Calculation dialog box 280screw connection 18, 32, 279Screw Connection dialog 32Screw Connection dialog box 145, 152, 156Screw Connection New Part Front View dialog

box 161Screw Diameter Estimation dialog box 157Screw Pre-Calculation 21screw template 151script 32sealing ring 32section lines 19Select a Blind Hole dialog box 168Select a Cylindrical Pin dialog box 170Select a Nut dialog box 283Select a Row dialog box 281Select a Screw dialog box 145, 281Select Graph dialog box 233, 246Select Part Size dialog box 171, 253Set Value dialog box 192, 200settlement 291shaft 29, 35shaft break 206, 214shaft calculation 225, 232Shaft Calculation dialog box 227, 235shaft calculations 21shaft end 32shaft generator 20, 206, 225Shaft Generator dialog box 209shaft lock nut 32shapes, steel 18shim ring 32shortcuts 358side view 215

simple welds 32slope 217snap distance 187snap settings 30, 73snap toolbar 33sort 199Sort dialog box 199special characters 118split 194springs 22, 24, 26, 34spring calculation 263spring generator 20spring layout 266sprocket 250, 256sprockets 33sprockets/pulleys 24stability 297stand-alone screw calculation 279standard features 18standard parts 18, 30, 143standard parts, 2D 18starting layer 47steel shape 130steel shapes 18, 33, 41, 126step width 312strength 224, 235Strength Calculation dialog box 236stress 224, 296stress calculation 26stress division 306stress representation 304stress table 303structural steel shapes 18support assistance 14supporting force 32surface texture symbols 20, 33Switch Representation of Standard Parts dialog

box 175symmetric shaft parts 32symmetrical lines 19, 33

Ttangent definition 254taper pin 33tapped blind hole 33tapped through hole 33technical support 14Template Description dialog box 51text fonts 6text styles 6, 33thread 216thread end 34through hole 34through slot 34tightening 292title block 29, 34, 112title blocks 19

364 | Index

Today window 10tolerance 112tolerances 20, 29, 86Toolbutton command access 8torque 32Torque dialog box 231torque rotation angle 32torsion moment 32torsion springs 34, 262trace contours 34tracking line 187translate text 27trim 83Type of Follower dialog box 315typographical conventions 16

Uundercut 35user-defined blind hole 34user-defined blind slot 35user-defined counterbore 35user-defined countersink 35user-defined hatch 35user-defined through hole 35

VView dialog box 100, 106, 107view scale 94viewports 28, 94, 95, 98viewports, creating 6virtual intersection 31Visibility Enhancement dialog box 64

Wwasher 36, 284Web site, Autodesk support 15weld 20weld symbols 20, 36working layer 46, 56, 94

Xxrefs 36

Yyield factor 224

Zz coordinate 31zigzag line 32, 36zoom 35

Index | 365

mechanical desktop 6

Documents

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autodesk world

autodesk technology

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autodesk walkthrough

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