Extrusion Elements in MechDesigner
Do Tutorial 3 before this Tutorial
Terminology:
We use the name 'Solid' for two elements:
| • | Profiles / Extrusions: We add these elements to a sketch-loop, a sketch-loop is two or more sketch-elements in which their end-points are merged end-to-end. |
| • | Imported CAD models: We use SolidWorks (or other CAD) to design these elements, before we import them onto a CAD-Line in a Part. |
Solids do not change the kinematic analysis. Solids do change the kinetostatic (force) analysis.
Tutorial Objectives:
Explore and edit:
| • | Profiles and Auto-Profiles |
 Add Extrusions
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You can use the sketch tools in the Part-Editor for a number of reasons. One reason is to add sketch-loops for Extrusions. However, the Part-Editor is not as powerful as those in solid modelling software. You cannot add complex geometry with the Part-Editor. If you add many sketch-elements to a single Part, the Part-Editor will slow down while you edit or add more constraints.
Do not add a complex sketch.
For Speed:
| • | Break down the complete sketch to smaller, simpler, separate sketch-loops |
| • | To specify the position of each sketch-loop, add dimensions from the X-axis or Y-axis for at least one Point in the sketch-loop, and then dimension sketch-elements relative to each other. |
| • | Do not dimension a sketch-loop relative to a different sketch-loop |
| • | Do not add a constraint between a sketch-element in one sketch-loop and a sketch-element in a different sketch-loop. |
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