020 Using Resolve tool to generate parts automatically

In this tutorial,  the Resolve tool under Catalog Editor-Infrastructure module  is used to generate springs that varies in free length and pitch size. the Resolve tool is mainly used to generate parts automatically in CATIA. This tool is used if you want to create catalogs of your own standard parts generated at one directory in your PC.

• First, the spring is modelled using the Generative shape design module , using the insert menu - wireframe - Helix then, the circular cross section of the spring is defined in the part design module.
• Second, a design table is modeled using Excel in which three columns are identified ; one for the part number, one for the Height or free-length of the spring and one for the Pitch size, then this design table is saved as a tab-limited text file.

• Third, the design table parameters (Height & Pitch) are associated with the spring height and pitch.
• Fourth, using the Infrastructure module - Catalog Editor, under the insert menu, the "Add part family" is chosen, where we choose our spring part.
• Fifth, we will set the directory where the parts will be generated under Tools - Options - Infrastructure - Catalog editor - Resolved Family Components, then we shall choose where our new parts will be generated.
• Finally, by right clicking on the family icon under the structure tree, the resolve option is chosen.

Here is the video that shows in full details how to generate spring parts at various height and pitch sizes that could be used in a spring animation video later on.

019 Aladdin Lamp .. Imagine & Shape

I just finished modeling Aladdin Lamp using "Imagine & Shape" module. I did not make a video tutroial showing how to model it because it was made by trial and error. Nevertheless, in this tutorial, I will show you how to use the tools I used to model this lamp in the imagine and shape module. Here are the images of the lamp:

  

Here are the tools used to model the lamp with a summarized explanation on each tool:

•  Revolve tool: This tool is used to create the main structure of the lamp. Upon clicking on this tool, you are asked to draw the profile which will be revolved, as shown in the following image. 



Revolve Tool

• Extrusion Tool: This tool is used to create the tail of the lamp. Upon clicking on this tool, you will be prompted to click on the main structure which is the bowl of the lamp, then choose the the face subdivison that will be extruded. you can select the subdivision using edge selection or face selection. I prefer using face selection tool. you can choose more than one face while clicking on the CTRL button. Upon finishing, click on the right button

Extrusion Tool

• Face Subdivision: This tool is used to create the spout of Aladdin's Lamp. Upon clicking on this tool, you will be prompted to click on the main structure which is the bowl of the lamp, then choose the face subdivision that will be extruded. On the right side of the window, a ratio bar will appear which upon moving, the division of the face will increase or decrease up to your spout diameter. Upon finishing, click on the right button.

Face Subdivision

• Modification (Space):  This tool is used to shape the spout and the tail of the lamp. This tool is used to modify, translate, rotate and align the structure parts. You can choose either to modify the vertices, the edges or the faces and you can also choose to modify all of them . You may switch the propagation option on, while translating the structure.

Modification Tool

• Working Zone Definition: This tool is used to shape the spout of the lamp. Upon choosing this tool, you may define the spout parts that you want to manipulate away from the rest of the lamp. This tool gives you the advantage of manipulating some parts of the structure without affecting the rest of the structure. After selecting the working zone, click on the manipluation button to manipulate this working zone.

Working Zone Definition

•  Erasing: This tool is used to erase the the front face of the spout. upon choosing this tool, you may select the face that will be removed.

Erasing Tool

• Face Cutting: This tool is used to cut edges with all-round through edges and thus creating more faces all around the bowl. This gives the designer more freedom to manipulate the structure.

Face Cutting

018 Spur Gear Parametric Modeling

In this tutorial, a spur gear is parametrically modeled using Parameters and Relations in Catia. The gear involute is initially modeled using the generative surface design. This tutorial is entirely based on a web page http://gtrebaol.free.fr/doc/catia/spur_gear.html . All what I added here were the videos showing in detail how to model the gear.

The gear is modeled using the following steps:

• The parameters are defined which are:
• z : no. of Teeth
• m: modulus
• a : pressure angle
• rp: pitch circle radius
• ra: addendum radius
• rb: base circle radius
• rf: root circle radius
• rc: corner radius
• The relations are defined which are the parametric equations for the tooth involute:
• Yd
• Zd
• The points for drawing the tooth involute are defined and a spline is drawn following these points. rotation angle is applied for the ease of modeling.
• The addendum circle and the root circle are drawn.
• The root corner is created.
• Using the split tool, the extra parts of the circles are removed.
• Using the join tool, the tooth parts are joined together.
• Using the circular pattern, the tooth is repeated in a full crown, where the angle of repetition is 180 deg devided by the no. of teeth.
• Shifting to the part module, extrusion is done.
• Again, this tutorial is entirely based on this webpage http://gtrebaol.free.fr/doc/catia/spur_gear.html
• At the end, some manipulation is done to test the effect of changing the parameters on the shape of the whole gear.

Here are the two videos showing the modeling of the gear: