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. For example, to make sure that the coordinates of a Globoidal Cam are correct.

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 from Parts in MechDesigner are 'piped' into 'Distance' or 'Angle' Mates that define the position of Parts in an equivalent assembly in SolidWorks®. The SolidWorks® model follows the MechDesigner kinematic-chain, with this Function-Block as a 'pipeline'.

CAD Control FB

Icon-FB-CADControl

[Right-side of Graphic-Area] Modelling FB toolbar > CAD-Control FB

Menu:

Add menu > Add CAD-Control FB

To add a CAD Control FB to the graphic-area:

1.Click Modelling FB toolbar > CAD Control FB

or

1. Click Add menu > Add CAD-Control FB

Then

2.Click again in the graphic-area

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

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®.

 

Tutorial and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 13.2 + © Machine, Mechanism, Motion and Cam Design Software by PSMotion Ltd