PRO-E TUTORIALS Module 1

Module 1

The Interface and Basic Concepts

Module Overview

In this module, you will learn about basic concepts and benefits of solid  modeling using Pro/ENGINEER.

This module also introduces you to the main user interface and defines each

area and how you will use it. You will gain an understanding of basic skills 

 including setting the working directory and saving and opening files. You will 

 

learn basic Pro/ENGINEER display, orientation, and selection options. 

 

Finally in this module, you will also learn the basics of using the sketcher and 

 

how to create a simple part model.

Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Understand solid modeling concepts.

• Understand feature-based concepts.

• Understand parametric concepts.

• Understand assembly Concepts

• Understand associative concepts.

• Understand model-centric concepts.

• Understand Pro/ENGINEER's main interface.

• Use Working Directories and Save your Work.

• Use spin, pan, zoom, and predefined named views to orient models.

• Understand basic display options including model display and datum

display.

• Select models, features, and model geometry using your mouse.

• Understand the basics of sketcher and sketcher orientation.

Understanding Solid Modeling Concepts

Pro/ENGINEER enables you to create solid representations of

your part and assembly designs.

Solid Models:

• Are realistic visual representation of designs.

• Contain properties such as mass, volume, and center of gravity.

• Can be used to check for interference's in an assembly.

Understanding Solid Modeling Concepts

Pro/ENGINEER enables you to create realistic solid representations of your part and assembly designs. These virtual design models can be used to easily visualize and evaluate your design before costly prototypes are manufactured.

The models contain material properties such as mass, volume, center of gravity, and surface area. As features are added or removed from the model, these properties update. For example, if you add a hole to a model, then the mass of the model decreases.

In addition, solid models enable tolerance analysis and clearance/interference checking when placed into assemblies.

Understanding Feature-Based Concepts

Pro/ENGINEER is a feature-based product development tool.

With Feature-Based Modeling:

• You build one simple feature at a time.

• Each new feature can reference previous features.

Wheel Features

Understanding Feature-Based Concepts

Pro/ENGINEER is a feature-based product development tool. The models

are constructed using a series of easy to understand features rather than

confusing mathematical shapes and entities.

The geometric definition of a model is defined by the type of features used

and by the order in which each feature is placed. Each feature builds upon

the previous feature and can reference any of the preceding features; this

enables design intent to be built into the model.

Individually, each feature is typically simple but as they are added together

they form complex parts and assemblies.

In this example, we have a wheel showing the first six stages of its creation:

• First, an extrusion is created, which forms the initial shape and size of

the model.

• An additional extrusion is created to add material to the middle of the model.

• A third extrusion is created to remove material from the model.

• A fourth extrusion is created to add a hub inside the model.

• A coaxial hole is created on the previous extrusion.

• A chamfer is created on the edge of the hole.

Understanding Parametric Concepts

The parametric nature and feature-to-feature relationships in

Pro/ENGINEER enable you to easily capture design intent and

make design changes.

Parametric:

• Model geometry is defined by features.

• Features are defined and by parameters, references and dimensions.

• When you modify dimension values, relevant geometry is automatically updated.

Parent/Child Relationships:

• Features referenced during creation become parents.

• If parent features change, child features accordingly and predictively change as well.

Understanding Parametric Concepts

Pro/ENGINEER models are value driven, using dimensions and parameters to define the size and location of features within the model. If you change the value of a feature dimension, that feature will update according to the change. The change then automatically propagates through to related features in the model, updating the entire part.

Parent/Child Relationships

Relationships between features in Pro/ENGINEER provide a powerful tool for capturing design intent. During the modeling process, design intent is added as one feature is created with reference to another. When creating a new feature, any feature referenced during its creation becomes a parent of the new feature. The new feature referencing the parent is referred to as a child of the parent. If the parent feature is updated, any children of the parent update accordingly. These relationships are referred to as parent/child relationships.

This example shows a piston model intersected with a hole feature. In the middle figure, the piston height is modified from 18.5 to 25. Notice that the hole moves upward as the piston height increases. The design intent of the piston is to have the hole located a specified distance from the top of the piston. The hole will maintain that distance no matter how tall the piston becomes. This intent was added by dimensioning the hole to the top surface of the piston.

Alternatively, if the intent of the design is to have the hole located a specified distance from the bottom of the piston, the hole would be dimensioned from the bottom surface of the piston, yielding a different result when the height of the piston is modified. The right most figure shows modifications made to the location and diameter

of the hole.