Some Remarks on SOLIDWORKS 3D Design and Motion Simulation
A little step towards bigger creation
Designing is one of the spectacular arenas where creativity lies in all the aspects. It is the language for us all to frame ideas into reality, to build a revolutionized product from scratch, or, maybe, a strategic perception in the future. Now-a-days, we have a plethora of designing software that makes our life easier, and they are also designed and dedicated for some specific purposes. Back in 2014, I was introduced to the SOLIDWORKS — a powerful computer aided design (CAD) tool — and, I must say that I was indulged by it for a while, especially for its flexibility in design, and capability to simulate complex multi-body motion. Ever since, I am a loyal user of it; and I would like to share some of my 3D models with the animation with a view to enhancing the beauty of its motion manager. The SOLIDWORKS motion simulation manager is a wonderful platform to visualize and analyze the motion of any multi-body system. Its motion solver uses a stiff integration method for computing the motion. There are three stiff solvers: GSTIFF, SI2_GSTIFF, and WSTIFF. I chose to use WSTIFF for the motion simulation since this solver would be efficient if your design consists many segments. In the following, three SOLIDWORKS CAD models are shown along with a motion simulation for each model. The aim of this article is to highlight some of the auspicious features as well as the advantages of SOLIDWORKS motion simulation manager by representing my models as examples and further discussing steps to build such models in general.
Reciprocating Compressor — a heavily used machine in industries
The figure shows a 3D model of a reciprocating compressor designed in SOLIDWORKS. The fundamental components of a reciprocating compressors are: a crank, a connecting rod and a piston. The picture actually depicts a large reciprocating compressor with two cylinders — a typical model frequently used in the industries. Similar to other CAD software, SOLIDWORKS has features for assembly drawing. You may draw the parts in 2D first; and then, extrude each part to make it 3D. Lastly, in the assembly file, simply drag and connect all the parts by defining the constraints; for example, which part is fixed, which part has rotation or translation, and so on. The 3D compressor model is done in the same way. But, the coolest feature of the SOLIDWORKS is the motion simulation.
As mentioned before, SOLIDWORKS has a dedicated motion simulation package by which you may visualize the movements of your creation. Below is such an illustration of the motion simulation for the reciprocating compressor. Here, a rotary motor is attached which drives the system according to the constraints defined while assembling the parts. Enjoy the animation!
Ball Bearing — used everywhere from household to industrial purposes
A ball bearing model is designed with SOLIDWORKS CAD environment and simulated for the verification of different parts motion. The figure depicts eight spherical balls that are constrained to roll between the grooves of inner and outer ring. The inner and outer raceway grooves are created in the CAD model. The contact forces are simulated in the SOLIDWORKS model by introducing contacts between inner ring and balls, and balls and outer ring.
The bearing is commonly used as an integral component to help support a structure by constraining the relative motion between moving components and minimizing the friction as well. To represent the motion simulation of a bearing, it is attached to a rotor-guide assembly. The subsequent simulation shows the bearing motion which supports the shaft in a typical rotor-bearing assembly. Have some fun with the video!
Wind Turbine — one of the clean energy generators
To comprehend the dynamics of various parts due to the application of an external torque or simply kinematics of different parts of the wind turbine more keenly, a conceptual model is designed and built into SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD environment. Meticulous attempts are taken for mating components of the turbine during the assembly process. In SOLIDWORKS, mating each component to form an assembly is immensely important as this ultimately determines the degrees of freedom of different components. An unconstrained rigid body has six degrees of freedom as the translation along as well as the rotation about three perpendicular axes in Cartesian coordinate system. Adding a constraint simply removes the degree of freedom which is basically done by mates or joints in SOLIDWORKS. As an example, a revolute joint or hinge allows only one degree of freedom between two mechanical parts in an assembly. In SOLIDWORKS, all the components are constrained in such a way that each of part possesses only rotation about a particular axis. And, again the privilege of features such as mates and joints in the wind turbine assembly allows us only fixed axis rotation of the rigid parts.
A typical wind turbine model consists of a hub, blades, high and low speed shafts, gears and generators. A virtual motor is attached to the hub, which drives the whole assembly in the following simulation. Please go ahead and play the motion simulation!
Concluding Remarks
To visualize a system’s motion prior to the experiment, SOLIDWORKS motion analysis tool provides a magnificent way which resembles close proximity to the nature. SOLIDWORKS is a complete package where you can design and simulate at the same time. As a designer, we all realize how crucial it is to check if the design works in practice flawlessly. SOLIDWORKS motion simulation might relieve us a bit by providing the best user experience to see either the whole assembly or individual part motion. Based on the preceding models, the key features for 3D modelling and motion simulation in SOLIDWORKS may be summarized below:
First, we begin with 2D design in the SOLIDWORKS part/component file; and then, extrude the part to make it 3D. For example, we may draw a circle first; and by using the feature ‘extrude’, the circle may be extended to a shaft/cylinder in 3D.
Next, we begin with the assembly file in SOLIDWORKS, and add all the single part files to make the assembly. For instance, SOLIDWORKS has very user-friendly drag and drop features by which all the components may easily be added to the assembly file.
In assembly, we need to be conscientious regarding the part/component mating to allow/restrict certain motion in the assembly. For example, we may use concentric, coincident, parallel, etc. constraints to restrict the motion.
In the end, we can check the design by using the SOLIDWORKS motion simulator. Actually, it is that stage in which every designer craves for — to see their creation working in the virtual environment. Not only that, SOLIDWORKS has plenty of rich libraries of material properties which could add more flavors to your design to shape into existence.
