MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 2.1 Model-Editor: > Model elements > Model

What is a Mechanism?

A Mechanism, in the context of Add Mechanism, is a Mechanism-Editor with a Name-tab.

We work in Mechanism-Editors to add Parts, Joints, Cams, Gears, Belts, ... to design your machine.

You must use the Model-Editor to add a minimum of one(1) Mechanism-Editor.

IMPORTANT: Gravitational Vector ( g = 9.81665 m/s/s )

MD-GRAVITY-VECTOR

The Gravity Vector is in the negative Y-axis direction (Green Arrowhead in the Model-Editor.

Before you add the first Mechanism-Editor, to a Plane, consider the type of machine.

For example, if your machine has a horizontal indexing or rotating table, add the Mechanism-Editor for the table to the Top Plane, or a Plane that is parallel to the Top Plane.

Add Mechanism

Model elements toolbar

Add menu > Add Mechanism

< Model elements toolbar > Add Mechanism

Command-Manager - no elements

STEP 1.Click Model toolbar > Add Mechanism

The Command-Manager message is:

Add new Mechanism-Editor. Select a Plane

STEP 2: Click a Plane

You can click a Plane in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree.

STEP 3: Click in the Command-Manager

You jump immediately to the new Mechanism-Editor.

The new Mechanism-Editor is a child to the Plane you select in STEP 2.

Command-Manager - with Plane element

The new Mechanism-Editor - and the Graphic-Area

Front-View of the Mechanism-Editor

The Front-View of the new Mechanism-Editor:

: Base-Part has a rectangular Green Part-Outline

: Mechanism name-tab

: Contextual-Toolbars (left and right of the graphic-area)

: Graphic-Area

: Local XY-axes of the NEW Mechanism-Editor and Base-Part

•The +X–axis is horizontal, to the right ( > ).

•The +Y–axes is vertical, and upwards ( ^ ).

•The +Z–axis is towards you (◎)

NEW Mechanism-Editor - and the Assembly-Tree

Assembly-Tree and the new Mechanism-Editor

The hierarchy of the new elements

•Mechanism2 - is a child to Plane4

•BasePart2 - is a child to Mechanism2.

The XY-axes of Plane4, Mechanism2, and Base-Part2 are coplanar and coincident.

Model | Add Mechanism (Editor)

Model | Add Mechanism (Editor)

What is a Mechanism?

IMPORTANT: Gravitational Vector ( g = 9.81665 m/s/s )

The new Mechanism-Editor - and the Graphic-Area

NEW Mechanism-Editor - and the Assembly-Tree

Video