Export DXF
We will export Gears as an example.
First we will add the Gears. Please refer to earlier tutorials if you do not know how to do any instructions in this tutorial.
In MechDesigner
Step 1 Add Line and Dimension in Base-Part.
| 2. | Add Line [ Geometry toolbar, left] |
| 3. | Add Dimension to the Line [Geometry toolbar, left] |
Other dimensions and constraints to define the position of the Line are not needed but it is good design practice to fully dimension the location of the Line.
You will see the Line in the Mechanism-Editor as a Green Line
Step 2 Add two Parts.
| 1. | Add Part × 2 [Shortcut key for Add Part : INSERT key]. |
| 2. | Add Pin-Joint × 2 : Origin of new Part and each end of the Line in Base-Part [Step 1] |
Now you have two free-parts with Pin-Joints in Mechanism Editor
Step 3: Add Motion-Dimension to one of the Parts.
| 1. | Decide which Part you want to drive the gears. |
See Command-Manager:
| B) | Green Line in the Base Part |
| C) | CAD-Line along centre of Part |
The two Lines must 'radiate' from Pin-Joint.
| 3. | Click OK in Command Manager |
| 4. | Add a Linear-Motion FB. You can also add other FBs to specify the rotation of the Crank. |
| 5. | Edit Motion-Dimension FB and set Base-Value to 0 [usually] - again good practice to know the starting angle of the drive Gear. |
Step 4: Add Gear-Pair.
See: Command-Manager
Click 3 Lines and 1 dimension. Click:
| • | Line 1 - Centre Green Line along Part defined by Motion-Dimension |
| • | Line 2 - along centre of Blue-Part that is still the free-Part. |
| • | Line 3 - the Green Line in the middle that has a Pin-Joint at each end. |
| • | Dimension 1 dimension for length of Line 3. ( The Part Editor opens automatically). |
Now Gears should show and all Parts are defined and Green.
Step 5: Edit Gear Pair to make sure Teeth are correct and make sure module is correct.
Edit Gear-Pair dialog-box to edit Gear-Pair number of teeth and module.
Also, if you want to make really accurate gear representation in SOLIDWORKS, increase #Points along Profile [last value in image below].
But be careful, as the DXF file size will increase rapidly.
Try default value of '6' and increase if needed.
Step 6: Run menu > Home key to put gears at home.
Step 7: Solids toolbar > Add Polyline
Solids toolbar is above graphic-area.
You do not need the Profile to export DXF to SOLIDWORKS.
Step 8 Save Gears as DXF
You can choose to export the gears together, or one Gear at a time - it is easier to import one gear at a time.
Gears together.
| 1. | Click the Mechanism element ONE TIME in the Assembly Tree |
Mechanism element must be in the Selection-Window.
| 2. | Click File menu > Save as |
Make sure the DXF file-type is active
| 3. | Edit the file-name and then click 'Save' |
One Gear at a time.
| 1. | Click the Part Outline. |
Part element must be in the Selection-Window.
| 2. | Click File menu > Save as |
Make sure the DXF file-type is active
| 3. | Edit the file-name and then click Save |
Repeat with other Part-Outline.
In SOLIDWORKS
| 2. | Preselect Front-Plane [or plane you want DXF on] |
| 3. | Click Insert menu > DXF/DWG |
| 5. | Import to part as 2D sketch |
In Document Settings interface- make sure Units of imported data are mm [top left of DXF/DWG dialog]
Repeat for each Gear
You should be able to extrude the gears from the imported sketch.
If you want more accuracy to gear then in the Gear-Pair dialog: increase # Points along Profile try 10, 15, 20.
But this is number-of-points along each flank of the tooth and SOLIDWORKS model becomes big, quickly.
