MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 2.2 Mechanism-Editor: > Modelling Function-Blocks

Why add a CAD Control FB

Use a CAD Control FB to synchronize the positions of Parts in a SolidWorks® Assembly model with Parts in a MechDesigner model.

Question: Why do this when MechDesigner is perfect to model motions?

Answer: Because SolidWorks® has useful tools such as Collision Verification and Interference Detection.

The Clearance Detection tool in SolidWorks® evaluates the exact gap between Parts. We can use this tool to check that a 3D-Cam we export to SolidWorks has the same Radial Clearance as we enter in the 3D-Cam dialog-box.

Connect motion-values from any of the Function-Blocks to the inputs of the CAD Control FB.

When you have configured the CAD Control dialog-box, motion-values that control Parts in MechDesigner are piped to SolidWorks Distance or Angle mates that define the position of parts in an equivalent assembly in SolidWorks®.

Add CAD Control FB

STEP 1Add the CAD Control FB to the graphic-data

1.Click Add menu > Mechanism menu > Add CAD-Control FB

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1.Click Modeling FB toolbar > Add CAD-Control FB

The CAD-Control FB is in the graphic-area.

STEP 2: Open the CAD-Control dialog-box:

1.Double-click a CAD-Control FB in the graphic-area

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See How to Open a Dialog-Box.

The CAD-Control dialog-box is now open.

STEP 3: See CAD Control dialog-box

Note:

It is not automatic that the MechDesigner and SolidWorks® models work together. For example, angles in SolidWorks® cannot be negative, but they can be in MechDesigner. Thus, you may need to use Gearing FBs in MechDesigner to add a constant to the output values so that they have the same minimum and maximum values as those in SolidWorks®.