Solidworks to Construct 3d Model of an Engineering Assembly - Assignment Example

SOLIDWORKS TO CONSTRUCT 3D MODEL OF AN ENGINEERING ASSEMBLY STUDENT’S NAME: ADMISSION NUMBER: MODULE: Executive Summary 3D design is a process of constant change and iteration. Almost 98% of all machines are currently designed using Solid modeling tool. SM normally allows designers to make larger changes with little changes. It involves computer aided designs which can be defined as one of the computer aided programs used in creating two or three dimension graphical representation of the physical object. This report discuses the computer aided design (CAD) explaining different types of software’s available, both the software and hardware components of the CAD how it works, merits and demerits. The second section of this reports explain and defines what is Finite element Analysis and it is defined as a numerical method which is a traditional branch of solid mechanics and currently commonly used method for multiphysics, it explains how it works, it benefits and disadvantages. Lastly, the report gives conclusion. Table of Contents Executive Summary ii Table of Contents iii 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Design 1 1.2 Analysis 1 1.3 Visualization 1 2.0 The Hardware 1 2.1 Input devices 2 2.2 Light Pens 2 2.3 Touch sensitive screen: 2 2.4 Output Devices 3 3.1 CAD Platform 3 4.0 General criteria for evaluating CAD software 4 4.1 Hardware 4 4.2 Software 4 4.3 The advantages and disadvantages of CAD methods compared with manual methods 5 5.0 Finite Element Analysis used in Engineering 6 5.1 What does it do and how does it do it 7 6.0 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 1.0 Introduction Computer Aided design (CAD) can be defined as one of the computer aided programs used in creating two or three dimension graphical representation of the physical object. Sometimes CAD software may be specialized in specific applications which are used by engineers (Zeng, Lou & Zhu 2013). The CAD has three major components which include; Design Analysis Visualization 1.1 Design This is the geometric modeling like 2-D, and 3-D modeling, including drafting, part creation, creation of drawings with various views of the part, assemblies among others parts (Zegdoun et al., 2013). 1.2 Analysis This is the finite element analysis, optimization and other crunching engineering analyses. Generally, a geometric model is first created and the model analyzed for loads, stress, moment of inertia, volume among others (Zegdoun et al., 2013). 1.3 Visualization This is the computer graphics which normally includes rendering a model, creation of pier chart, contours, plots, shading a model animation, sizing among others (Zegdoun et al., 2013). It should be noted that most software’s available in the market consist mostly of single components like analysis, or design or visualization. Very few if any of the vendors have integrated the three elements of the CAD design and further included the manufacturing aided software (CAM) (Zegdoun et al., 2013). Well integrated software normally uses UNIX work station or Mainframe platform due to their large size (Zeng, Lou & Zhu 2013). 2.0 The Hardware There are only two types of devices that basically constituted CAD hardware. They include; Input devices Output devices 2.1 Input devices The input devices are used for communication with computer, and providing our input in the form of either text or graphic or both. The key board is the main provider of the text input while graphic is being provided by several devices depending on the work environment (Zeng, Lou & Zhu 2013). The input devices include; Mouse: this is potentiometric device, which normally contains several variables resistors that help in sending signals to the computer. The main functions of the mouse include point location on the screen, drawing sketches, dragging an object and helping in entering the values. It further helps in accepting software commands among other functions. Other mouse devices that are operating using similar principles include trackballs and Joystick. Digitizer: this is another input device which is used to trace a sketch or other 2-D entities by helping in moving the cursor over a flat surface. Normally the position of the cursor provides a feedback to the computer connected with the device. There are some electrical wires which are embedded in orthogonal directions that receive and pass signals between the device and the computer. The digitizer is a free moving puck which is connected to the tablet. 2.2 Light Pens This device is mostly used by Lockheed’s CADAM software to help in carrying out the graphic input. It is a light pen which looks like normal pen and it contains a photocell, which helps in emitting electronic signals (Jiao, Shan & Miao 2012). When pen is pointed at the monitor screen, it sense light, which is then converted to a signal. The signal is then sent to the computer for determination of the exact location of the pen on the monitor screen. 2.3 Touch sensitive screen: It is a device which is embedded in the monitor screens, normally in the form of another layer. The screen senses the physical contact of the user (Jiao, Shan & Miao 2012). In the above explanation, it should be noted that the output devices above are independent of the CAD package. All commercial CAD software package contain the device drivers for the most commonly used devices. The device drivers facilitate a smooth interaction between the input and the software on the computer. The evaluation of the input devices is normally based on; Accuracy Resolution Repeatability Linearity 2.4 Output Devices Hard copy is normally required out of the softcopy created hence the need of output devices. Plotters and printers are used for the purposes of creating hardcopy out of soft copy (Jiao, Shan & Miao 2012). A plotter is used most of the time to produce larger size drawings and assemblies, where as a laser jet printer’s help in providing a 3-D view model of the structure. 3.0 Software description The software’s are usually written in FORTRAN and C++ language. FORTAN normally provides the number crunching where as C++ language help in providing the visual images. One of the most important application parts of the CAD software is the Networking. A model which has already been created by the engineer must be readily accessible to other users in the organization and it is normally linked by LAN or other available means. The designer, analyst management or other relevant person should have access to the already developed model hence it points the critical aspects of networking (Reddy, Sridhar & Rangadu 2016). 3.1 CAD Platform The platform refers to medium through which the CAD program can run. In most cases there are three platforms which include; Mainframe Workstation PC These can be presented in the figure below 4.0 General criteria for evaluating CAD software 4.1 Hardware Some of the most coveted characteristics of a good CAD hardware include: High speed, large storage Compact size Open architecture Inexpensive components Inexpensive upgrading 4.2 Software Operating system: some of the best OS include UNIX, or Windows. For large organization, it is advisable to use operating system for workstation in UNIX. User Interface: Most popular software have menu driven command which is the most preferable to the traditional old system for non-menu- driven system. Documentation and Support: Good software should have proper documentation throughout and this will help in learning and understanding the characteristics of the software. It should have enough manual and user guide which can be referred to time and again by the users of the software (Reddy, Sridhar & Rangadu 2016). Maintenance: the cost of maintaining and upgrading the software should be easily affordable. It should last for long before any serious work of maintenance can take place. Modeling capabilities: It should have modeling capabilities so that it can be approved as good software to be purchased by the company Ease of modeling: as a rule of thumb, general all purpose type CAD software much more complex and difficult to learn than special purpose package hence it is preferred. 4.3 The advantages and disadvantages of CAD methods compared with manual methods Advantages of CAD method Drawing scale: as opposed to manual drawing CAD is able to produce very accurate designs developed either on 2D or 3D. In CAD, one must determine the scale first before starting drawing. This scale will help in comparing the size and the actual object to the size of the model being drawn (Topare, Raut & Attar 2012). Convenient drawing layout: With manual drawing, one need to include pre-printed border and title block, establish the location for views plan, elevation among other details before stating drawing. In contrary with the CAD, one first draw the design or the model in a working environment called space after that then the model can be created on a paper hence more convenient and simple (Reddy, Sridhar & Rangadu 2016). Flexibility: CAD drawing is more flexible to organization drawing information compared to the manual drawing. One can easily display, edit and print layers separately or in combination something which is not possible in the manual drawing (Reddy, Sridhar & Rangadu 2016). It helps in reducing the conception time for new designs as compared to manual drawings The development and creation of the products are more quickly compared to manual drawing since CAD sometimes is tailor made designs Some of the costly mistakes in design and production can be easily being avoided when using CAD than when one is using manual drawing. Disadvantages of CAD CAD requires a lot of training which takes many days or even months before someone can effectively use the software unlike manual drawing which does not require that, hence time consuming and expensive. CAD software requires an expensive start up costs which includes the cost of acquiring the hardware, software and the training cost (Topare, Raut & Attar 2012). It is important further to not that CAD is hard to get the conception form Improper use of blocks and layers make updating and modification of the drawings a cumbersome task for another person 5.0 Finite Element Analysis used in Engineering Finite element Analysis can be defined as a numerical method which is a traditional branch of solid mechanics and currently commonly used method for multiphysics. FEA can be applied in many areas which include; Structural analysis of a cantilever, bridge and oil platform Solid mechanics areas like gear and automotive power trains In dynamics which include vibration of sears towers earthquakes, and bullet impact Thermal analysis including heat radiation of finned surface, thermal stress brakes disc Biomaterials which include material organ tissue Electrical analysis, Piezo actuator, electrical signals propagation In most engineering practices, analysis is mostly done with the use of finite element computer programs. These programs are normally interfaced with computer aided designs (CAD) programs Catia and solidworks (Topare, Raut & Attar 2012). 5.1 What does it do and how does it do it FEA works in three major steps which include; Pre-process or modeling the structure Analysis Post processing Pre-process or modeling the structure Using CAD program that either comes with FEA software’s or provided by other vendors, the structure is modeled. The last part of FEA model consists of several elements that collectively represent the entire structure. The elements not only represent segments of the structure, they also simulate its mechanical behavior and characteristics. In the pre-processor phase, along with the geometry of the structure, the constraints, loads and mechanical characteristics of the structure are defined (Topare, Raut & Attar 2012). Thus in pre-processing, the entire structure is completely defined by geometric model. The structure is presented by nodes and elements (Zegdoun et al., 2013). Analysis This is the second step. In this step, the geometry, constraints, mechanical properties and loads are applied to generate matrix equation of the structure (Zegdoun et al., 2013). The form of the individual equations as well as the structural equation is always given as {F} = [K] {u} Where {F} = External force matrix. [K] = Global stiffness matrix {U} = Displacement matrix This equation is further solved for deflection and using deflection values, strains, stress and reactions. The results from the calculation are stored and can be used to create graphic plots and charts in the post analysis. Post processing Post processing is the last step in a finite element analysis. The results obtained in step two above is normally in the form of raw data and not easy to interpret. In the post analysis, CAD program is utilized to manipulate the data to help in generating deflected shapes and structures, helping to create stress plots animations among other issues. Within software’s FEA works using input, the given structure is graphically divided into small elements so that every elements mechanical behavior can be defined by set of deferent equations. Within user interaction, FEA creates the geometry representing the structure where a CAD modeling software is used to create the structure’s geometry (Zeng, Lou & Zhu 2013). .Advantages It can easily and readily handle very complex geometry the heart and power of the FEM It can easily handle a wide variety of engineering problems compared to manual method FEA is able to handle more complex restraints It is able to handle complex loading Disadvantages A general closed form solution which allows one to be able to examine system response to changes in various parameters is not normally produced. FEM is only able to produce approximate solution as opposed to accurate and exact solution Normally FEM has inherent errors where mistake by users can be very vital 6.0 Conclusion With change in technology, product design and development has been greatly influenced by technological changes. The development of product design from manual design, 2-D design to 3-D design has seen more appealing and advanced product development. It can be argued further that there are many advantages of 3-D design over the traditional manual design as explained above. FEA also improves the modern design, we can conclude that while using CAD program that either comes with FEA software’s or provided by other vendors, the structure is modeled. The last part of FEA model consists of several elements that collectively represent the entire structure. The elements not only represent segments of the structure, they also simulate its mechanical behavior and characteristics. In the pre-processor phase, along with the geometry of the structure, the constraints, loads and mechanical characteristics of the structure are defined. The modern designers should embrace the new technology in product design. Bibliography Reddy, E.J., Sridhar, C.N.V. and Rangadu, V.P., 2016. Research and Development of Knowledge Based Intelligent Design System for Bearings Library Construction Using SolidWorks API. In Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications (pp. 311-319). Springer International Publishing. Zegdoun, O., Holway, B.W., Mandloi, A. and Krishnamurthy, A., Dassault Systems Solidworks Corporation, 2013. Reducing the size of a model using visibility factors. U.S. Patent 8,581,902. Jiao, P.G., Shan, S.F. and Miao, Q.H., 2012, January. Three-Dimensional Virtual Assembly of Automatic Fuel Measuring Device of Diesel Engine Test Bed Based on VRML. In Applied Mechanics and Materials (Vol. 138, pp. 870-873). Topare, N.S., Raut, S.J. and Attar, S.J., 2012. 3 D MODEL DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF PHOTOCATALYTIC REACTOR FOR DEGRADATION OF DYES USING SOLIDWORKS SOFTWARE. International Journal of Chemical Sciences, 10(2), pp.808-816. Zeng, F., Lou, J.J. and Zhu, S.J., 2013. Modeling and Design of 3D Visualization on Giant Magnetostrictive Actuator. In Advanced Materials Research (Vol. 605, pp. 1402-1407). Read More