AutoCAD Mechanical 2008

Users Guide
January 30, 2007 Part No. 20612-050000-5000A

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Published By: Autodesk, Inc. 111 Mclnnis Parkway San Rafael, CA 94903, USA
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Contents
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
AutoCAD Mechanical Software Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Leveraging Legacy Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Starting AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Accessing AutoCAD Mechanical Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
AutoCAD Mechanical Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Product Support and Training Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Design Features in AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Associative Design and Detailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
External References for Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Associative 2D Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Autodesk Inventor Companion Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2D Design Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Engineering Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Machinery Systems Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Detailing Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Standard Mechanical Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Standard Parts Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
v
Collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Revised Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
AMBALLOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
AMBOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
AMOPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
AMPARTLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
AMPARTREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
AMPARTREFEDIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
AMPOWERDIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
AMSCATLOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
AMSCREATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
AMSEXTERNALIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
AMSINSERT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
AMSLOCALIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
AMSNEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
AMSTLSHAP2D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
AMSURFSYM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
AMWELDSYMBOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
New Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
AMBROWSEROPEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
AMBROWSERCLOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
AMSCATALOGOPEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
AMSCATALOGCLOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
AMSNAVMODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Design and Annotation Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter 4 Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Setting Up Starting Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Setting Mechanical Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Specifying Drawing Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Saving Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Using Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Setting Default Standards Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
vi | Contents
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Working with Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Enabling Mechanical structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Creating Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Modifying Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Nesting Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Instance vs. Occurrence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Selection Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Components and Component Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Creating Part Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Creating Assembly Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Modifying Assembly Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Using Folders with Component Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Mechanical Browser Display Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Mechanical Browser and BOMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Browser Restructure and Ghost Components . . . . . . . . . . . 90
External Reference Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Inserting External Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Editing External Components In-place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Localizing and Externalizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Annotation Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Associative Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Basics of AMSHIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Using AMSHIDE in Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Working with Layers and Layer Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Changing Layers By Selecting Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Creating Layer Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Using Layer Groups to Copy Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Chapter 7 Designing Levers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Extending Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Using Libraries to Insert Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Configuring Snap Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Creating additional C-Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Creating Contours and Applying Fillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Trimming Projecting Edges on Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Applying Hatch Patterns to Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Dimensioning Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Contents | vii
Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Working with Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Creating Scale Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Creating Detail Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Generating New Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Inserting Holes Within Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Creating Subassemblies in New Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Chapter 9 Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Adding Dimensions to Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Adding Automatic Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Editing Dimensions with Power Commands . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Breaking Dimension Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Inserting Drawing Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Inserting Fits Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . . 185
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Opening the initial drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Defining 2D Hide Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Inserting 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Modifying Steel Shapes Using Power Commands . . . . . . . . . 193
Editing 2D Hide Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Copying and Moving 2D Hide Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Working with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Inserting Screw Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Copying Screw Connections with Power Copy . . . . . . . . . . 211
Creating Screw Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Working with Power View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Deleting with Power Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Inserting Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Inserting Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Turning Off Centerlines in Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Hiding Construction Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
viii | Contents
Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . 239
Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Working with Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Inserting Part References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Editing Part References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Placing Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Creating Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Merging and Splitting Items In Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Collecting Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . 267
Using Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Creating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Configuring Snap Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Configuring Shaft Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears . . . . . . . . . . 282
Inserting Spline Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Inserting Chamfers and Fillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Inserting Shaft Breaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Creating Side Views of Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Inserting Threads on Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Replacing Shaft Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Inserting Bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Calculating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Creating Shaft Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Specifying Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Placing Shaft Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Specifying Loads on Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Calculating and Inserting Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Calculating Strengths of Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Engineering Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Chapter 15 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines . . . . . . 317
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Contents | ix
Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines . . . . . . . . . 318
Calculating Moments of Inertia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Calculating Deflection Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Chapter 16 Calculating Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Chain Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Performing Length Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Optimizing Chain Lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Inserting Sprockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Inserting Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Chapter 17 Calculating Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Calculating Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Starting Spring Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Specifying Spring Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Calculating and Selecting Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Inserting Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Creating Views of Springs with Power View . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Methods for Calculating Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Selecting and Specifying Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Selecting and Specifying Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Selecting and Specifying Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Specifying Contact Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Specifying Loads and Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Specifying Settlement Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Specifying Tightening Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Creating and Inserting Result Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
2D FEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Calculating Stress In Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Defining Loads and Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Calculating Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Evaluating and Refining Mesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Refining Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Recalculating Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
x | Contents
Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Designing and Calculating Cams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Starting Cam Designs and Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Defining Motion Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Calculating Strength for Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Exporting Cam Data and Viewing Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Autodesk Inventor Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Linking Autodesk Inventor Part Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Shading and Rotating Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Inserting Drawing Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Creating Drawing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414
Working with Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
Exporting Drawing Views to AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
Linking Autodesk Inventor Assembly Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Accessing Parts from the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Accessing iProperties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Inserting Drawing Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
Creating Parts Lists & Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
Creating Breakout Section Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436
Modifying Breakout Section Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Removing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445
Updating Autodesk Inventor Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Appendix A Layer Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
Layer Specification Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
Appendix B Title Block Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
Attributes for Title Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Attribute Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Curly Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Message Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Appendix C Accelerator and Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
Accelerator Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Contents | xi
xii
Overview
In this part Part I provides information for getting started with your
AutoCAD

Mechanical software. About AutoCAD

Mechanical
Commands in AutoCAD
Mechanical
It includes an overview of the product capabilities, a summary
of commands with their toolbuttons and descriptions, and a
New and Revised
Commands
summary of new and revised commands in this release of
AutoCAD Mechanical.
In addition, Part I includes information about methods to
access commands, AutoCAD Mechanical Help, and product
support and training resources.
1
2
About AutoCAD
Mechanical
In this chapter This chapter provides information about the AutoCAD

Mechanical software application. It describes the software

AutoCAD Mechanical
Software Package
package, the basic design features in the software, and the
methods for accessing commands.
Leveraging Legacy Data
Starting AutoCAD
Mechanical
Accessing AutoCAD
Mechanical Commands
A brief overview of the Help, along with information about
where to find resources for product learning, training, and
support are included.
AutoCAD Mechanical Help
Product Support and
Training Resources
Design Features in
AutoCAD Mechanical
1
3
AutoCAD Mechanical Software Package
AutoCAD Mechanical is a 2D mechanical design and drafting solution for
engineers, designers, and detailers. Its intelligent production drawing and
detailing features decrease the time required to create and change 2D
production designs. AutoCAD Mechanical introduces many 3D concepts in
a familiar 2D environment. It is powered by AutoCAD

, with its easy-to-use

palette interface and time-saving xref functionality.
The AutoCAD Mechanical design software package includes both AutoCAD
Mechanical and AutoCAD. You can use one Options dialog box to customize
settings for both AutoCAD Mechanical and AutoCAD.
Leveraging Legacy Data
The tools for migrating legacy data are installed automatically when you install
the AutoCAD Mechanical software. A separate utility tool is available for
adding structure to legacy files after they are migrated.
The integrated Autodesk

IGES Translator for transferring and sharing of CAD

data between CAD/CAM/CAE systems is installed along with the AutoCAD
Mechanical product.
Newly generated files in AutoCAD Mechanical can be saved to a previous
version so that you can run multiple versions of AutoCAD Mechanical within
the same environment.
Starting AutoCAD Mechanical
You can start AutoCAD Mechanical by using one of the following procedures:
Click Start on the task bar, and then choose Programs. Select Autodesk
AutoCAD Mechanical 2008.
On the desktop, double-click the AutoCAD Mechanical icon:
4 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical
Accessing AutoCAD Mechanical Commands
AutoCAD Mechanical provides several methods to access commands and
manage your design process.
The following are samples of the access methods available to you:
In the graphics area, right-click and choose Power Edit. Context Menu
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Edit Menu
AMPOWEREDIT Command
The step-by-step procedures in the tutorials in Part II of this manual indicate
the command name in the opening procedural text. The appropriate toolbutton
is displayed in the margin next to the preferred access method. In the tutorials,
the context menu method is used when the menus are sensitive to what you
are doing. The browser method is used when you can save time and steps.
You can use any of the alternate methods as well.
Here is an example of how methods are used in the tutorials:
1 Use AMPOWEREDIT to edit a feature.
In the graphics area, right-click and choose Power Edit. Context Menu
NOTE To find the location of a particular toolbutton, refer to Appendix A.
AutoCAD Mechanical Help
The Help in AutoCAD Mechanical provides information about AutoCAD
Mechanical with the power pack.
The Help is formatted for easy navigation, and includes:
Content organized by the major functional areas of AutoCAD Mechanical,
with Concept, Reference, and Procedure pages for each functional area.
Procedure pages provide step by step instructions on how to execute a
given task. The linked Concept page provides background information
about the procedure. The linked Reference pages contain information
Accessing AutoCAD Mechanical Commands | 5
about all the commands and dialog boxes visited while performing the
procedure.
Specific information about each of the features in the program.
Concepts and procedures for the new features in this release.
A keyword index and search function.
Printable Command Reference.
Guides to system variables and accelerator keys.
Access to Support Assistance with integrated links to solutions.
For access to Help, you can choose from the following methods:
From the Help menu, select Mechanical Help Topics.
Select the Help button in the standard toolbar.
Press F1.
Click the Help button within a dialog box.
Product Support and Training Resources
Be more productive with Autodesk

software. Get trained at an Autodesk

Authorized Training Center (ATC

) with hands-on, instructor-led classes to

help you get the most from your Autodesk products. Enhance your productivity
with proven training from over 1,400 ATC sites in more than 75 countries.
For more information about Autodesk Authorized Training Centers, contact
[email protected] or visit the online ATC locator at
www.autodesk.com/atc.
Sources for product support are listed on the AutoCAD Mechanical Product
Information Web page. From the AutoCAD Mechanical Web site at
http://www.autodesk.com/autocadmech, navigate to the Support Knowledge Base.
You can also navigate to the Community page, which contains links to various
communities, including the AutoCAD Mechanical Discussion Group.
6 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical
Design Features in AutoCAD Mechanical
This section provides an overview of the functionality in the AutoCAD
Mechanical software, including numerous innovative 2D design features.
Mechanical Structure
Mechanical structure comprises a suite of 2D structure tools for organizing
drawings and for reusing associative data. The capabilities of reuse in blocks
and accessibility in layer groups are combined in mechanical structure. When
you start the AutoCAD Mechanical application, the Mechanical structure
environment is enabled by default. You can also work with it disabled.
The mechanical structure tools include:
A browser interface for structured 2D mechanical design, where parts,
assemblies, views, and folders containing associated data are organized,
structured, and managed. Standard parts are automatically organized and
managed in the browser. All components are accessible through the browser
for many functions, and filters can be set to control the type and level of
detail of information displayed.
Folders in the browser are used for capturing elements of design for reuse.
These elements provide all of the associative instancing benefits of
components, but do not register as items in the live BOM database. They
can contain geometry.
All geometry remains selectable and editable at all times using familiar
commands in open workflows. Workflows for structure can be bottom-up
(recommended), middle-out (the most flexible and common workflow),
and top-down (not the primary workflow).
Associative Design and Detailing
The browser is used to manage and reuse data in both the design and detailing
drafting stages. Many functions can be performed in the browser, including
the following:
You can instance components and assemblies multiple times. The live
BOM database in AutoCAD Mechanical keeps track of the quantity of each
part or assembly used.
Design Features in AutoCAD Mechanical | 7
Changes made to an associative instance of a part or assembly, associative
component, assembly detailing view, or a standard part or feature are
automatically reflected in the other instances.
Folders, components, and individual views of components can be reused
as needed. They maintain full associativity with each other.
Annotation views can be created for components and assemblies to fully
document the design. Changes made to geometry result in associative
dimensions being updated to reflect the change.
External References for Mechanical Structure
External References for mechanical structure provides for the components of
a drawing to be inserted as an external reference to multiple drawings.
Conversely, multiple drawings can be attached as external references to a
single drawing.
The following are the key benefits of external references for mechanical
structure:
Increased efficiency by allowing insertion of structure components from
many drawings as external reference associatively for concurrent design.
Reuse of parts from existing assembly drawings very quickly.
Those involved in multiple design projects that reference the same drawing
are able to obtain the most updated design from the externally reference
component.
Ability to set up design specific reference directories as libraries for different
applications.
Associative 2D Hide
The 2D hide situation tool in AutoCAD Mechanical automates the process to
accurately represent parts and features which are partially or completely hidden
in drawing views. The following are some of the 2D hide benefits:
Associative hide situations are managed in the browser.
The underlying geometry is not altered when you create an associative
hide situation.
8 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical
When geometry is hidden, AutoCAD Mechanical knows it is a component
in the mechanical structure, and provides a tooltip with the name and
view of the component.
Autodesk Inventor Companion Support
Autodesk

Inventor

companion support redefines the meaning of 3D to 2D

interoperability. Use the companion functionality to:
Access and associatively document native 3D part models without the
presence of Autodesk Inventor.
Visualize part models, examine and use part properties such as material,
name, and number.
Associatively document part models using precision hidden-line removed
projections, dimensions, and annotations.
Link to the native Autodesk Inventor part models automatically notifies
you of changes and enables updating of views and annotations to keep
your drawing up-to-date.
2D Design Productivity
These features increase productivity and reduce the number of steps needed
to complete mechanical designs:
AutoCAD Mechanical provides an intelligent, customizable layer
management system that puts objects on the appropriate layers
automatically.
Entities that are not on the current layer group, or entities that are on a
locked layer group can be displayed in a different color to reduce screen
clutter.
2D hidden-line calculations are based on defined foreground and
background objects. You can choose hidden line representation types.
Auto detailing creates detailed drawings of individual components from
an assembly drawing.
One set of power commands is used to create, update, and edit objects.
Autodesk Inventor Companion Support | 9
Mechanical line objects are available for creating centerlines and center
crosses, construction lines, symmetrical lines, section lines, break lines,
and others.
Linear/symmetric stretch is used to modify dimensioned geometry by
changing the dimension value.
Predefined hatch patterns are applicable in two picks from toolbars and
menus.
Engineering Calculations
The automatic engineering calculations available in AutoCAD Mechanical
ensure proper function in mechanical designs.
The 2D FEA feature determines the resistance capability of an object put
under a static load and analyzes design integrity under various loads.
A number of moment of inertia and beam deflection calculations are
available.
Engineering calculations are available for shafts, bearings, and screws.
Machinery Systems Generators
Machinery systems in AutoCAD Mechanical generate the design and
calculation of shafts, springs, belts and chains, and cams. These tools ensure
that you get the design right the first time:
With the shaft generator, you can create drawing views of solid and hollow
shafts. Common shaft features supported include center holes, chamfers,
cones, fillets, grooves, profiles, threads, undercuts, and wrench fittings.
Common standard parts supported include bearings, gears, retaining rings,
and seals.
With the spring generator, you select, calculate, and insert compression,
extension, and torsion springs, and Belleville spring washers in a design.
You control the representation type of the spring, and create a spec form
to incorporate in the drawing.
The belt and chain generator function provides features to create chain
and sprocket systems, belt and pulley systems, calculate optimal lengths
10 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical
for chains and belts, and insert these assemblies in your design. Chains
and belts can be selected from standard libraries.
The cam generator creates cam plates and cylindrical cams given input
border conditions. You can calculate and display velocity, acceleration,
and the cam curve path. You can couple driven elements to the cam and
create NC data through the curve on the path.
Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing
A number of commands are available in AutoCAD Mechanical that automate
the process to create balloons and bills of material.
You can create formatted balloons and bills of material, as well as detailed
views of portions of designs.
Multiple parts lists per drawing are supported. Grouping of a parts list
provides lists of like items. Selected items can be combined to calculate
total length required for stock ordering. The parts lists recognize standard
parts. You can format item numbers on parts lists.
Standard-sized drawing borders and customizable title blocks are available.
Intelligent and associative hole tables show a total count of each type of
hole along with a description of them. A second chart lists the coordinates
for each of the holes selected. Any update to the holes is reflected in the
charts.
A language converter translates text on a drawing into one of seventeen
different languages.
Revision control tables in drawings track revisions and display comments.
Fits lists chart all fits used in a drawing.
Detailing Productivity
Smart dimensions automatically maintain the proper arrangement with
each other.
Power dimension commands provide a single command to create and edit
all dimensions, apply specified formats, and add fits or tolerances.
Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing | 11
Dimensions are automatic for 2D geometry with either ordinate or baseline
dimensions.
One command quickly cleans up and arranges dimensions in 2D drawings.
One system setting controls the scale for drawing symbols in all views.
Commands are available for align, break, insert, and join to easily
dimension a drawing.
Annotations
Hole notes can be inserted for standard holes.
Commands are available to create standards-based surface texture symbols,
geometric dimensioning and tolerances, targets, and weld symbols.
Fits description command creates fits descriptions for standard holes.
Leader command creates intelligent balloons and other leaders common
in mechanical drawings.
Standard Mechanical Content
Standard content includes parametrically generated, intelligent geometry that
you can use to generate an object from scratch. The following are available:
About 600,000 standard parts, including screws, nuts, washers, pins, rivets,
bushings, rings, seals, bearings, keys, and others, can be quickly
incorporated into any design.
About 8,000 standard features, including center holes, undercuts, keyways,
and thread ends can be quickly incorporated into any design.
More than 20,000 standard holes, including through, blind, counterbored,
countersunk, oblong, and others, can be quickly incorporated into any
design.
Thousands of structural steel shapes, including U-shape, I-shape, T-shape,
L-shape, Z-shape, rectangular tube, round tube, rectangular full beam,
rectangular round beam, and others, can be quickly incorporated into any
design.
12 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical
Standard Parts Tools
Standard part tools provide for the elements that go with standard parts, such
as a hole to accompany a screw. These tools include:
Screw connection feature for selecting entire fastener assemblies at one
time.
Changeable representation of a standard part between a normal, simplified,
or symbolic representation.
Power view to automatically generate a different view of a standard part,
such as a top view from a front view.
Collaboration
Enjoy the benefits of design collaboration for your 2D output through Autodesk
Streamline

support. Autodesk Streamline is a hosted Web service for sharing

personalized design data across the entire extended manufacturing enterprise.
Autodesk Streamline functionality includes the following:
Members can view and interact with the 3D data set published on Autodesk
Streamline, without waiting for the data to download.
Using Streamline, many people can share design information and
collaborate online. Functionality includes instant messages, e-mail
notifications, polling/voting, discussion threads, database creation, and
more.
AutoCAD Mechanical data can be written to the AutoCAD DWF file format,
which is one of the file types that Autodesk Streamline leverages.
You can export 3D CAD data in ZGL format (a compressed form of a
standard Open GL file format called XGL). ZGL readily captures 3D data
that can be rendered by the Open GL library. ZGL files can then be
uploaded to Autodesk Streamline.
Standard Parts Tools | 13
14
Commands in AutoCAD
Mechanical
In this chapter This chapter provides a list of the commands available in
AutoCAD

Mechanical, along with a brief description of the

function of each command and the associated toolbutton.
Command Summary
2
15
Command Summary
The following is a list of the AutoCAD Mechanical commands, a brief
description of each, and the associated toolbutton.
Some commands do not have an associated toolbutton. This list does not
contain AutoCAD

commands.
In some cases where some of the task-specific toolbars are available in a more
comprehensive format from the Main toolbar at View Toolbars, it is noted
in the table.
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Provides layer group support within the
AutoCAD Design Center.
ADCENTER
Hides invisible edges in unstructured situ-
ations.
AM2DHIDE
Edits existing unstructured hide situations. AM2DHIDEDIT
Creates an adjusting ring on a shaft. AMADJRINGS2D
Creates a file in which the current layer struc-
ture of the drawing is written.
AMANALYSEDWG
Creates, deletes, adds, and moves annotations
associated with drawing views.
AMANNOTE
Suits an existing hatch to a changed contour. AMASSOHATCH
Displays or attaches non attached symbols. AMATTACHSYM
16 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Automatically creates construction lines on
selected drawing elements.
AMAUTOCLINES
Creates an external detail drawing (xref) of
selected elements from an assembly drawing.
AMAUTODETAIL
Creates chain, baseline, ordinate in both axes,
shaft, or symmetric dimensions.
AMAUTODIM
Creates and places a balloon. AMBALLOON
Performs calculation on bearings. AMBEARCALC
Selects, calculates, and inserts Belleville spring
washers, and inserts spring specification tables
in drawings.
AMBELL2D
Creates a standard related blind hole. AMBHOLE2D
Creates a formatted BOM database containing
a list of attributes, parts lists with item num-
bers, and lists of like items in a BOM.
AMBOM
Breaks a line, polyline, or a spline on a spe-
cified point.
AMBREAKATPT
Draws a special spline to show the breakout
borders.
AMBROUTLINE
Command Summary | 17
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Switches the mechanical browser on and off. AMBROWSER
Switches the mechanical browser on. AMBROWSEROPEN
Switches the mechanical browser off. AMBROWSERCLOSE
Creates a blind slot. AMBSLOT2D
Creates and calculates cam designs. AMCAM
Draws a centerline cross with an angle. AMCENCRANGLE
Draws a centerline cross in a corner. AMCENCRCORNER
Draws a centerline cross on a circle. AMCENCRFULLCIRCLE
Draws a centerline cross with a hole. AMCENCRHOLE
Draws a centerline cross in a hole. AMCENCRINHOLE
Draws a centerline cross. AMCENCROSS
18 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Draws centerline cross on a plate. AMCENCRPLATE
Draws a centerline in between two lines. AMCENINBET
Creates a centerhole. AMCENTERHOLE2D
Creates a centerline and center marks through
selected circles and arcs while in Drawing
mode.
AMCENLINE
Draws a centerline. AMCENTLINE
Draws chain or belt links. AMCHAINDRAW
Determines the tangent definition between
sprockets or pulleys.
AMCHAINLENGTHCAL
Bevels the edges of objects. AMCHAM2D
Checks for, highlights, and edits dimensions
with overridden text.
AMCHECKDIM
Creates a clevis pin. AMCLEVISPIN2D
Command Summary | 19
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Locks or unlocks the construction line layer. AMCLINEL
Switches construction lines on or off. AMCLINEO
Designs, calculates, and inserts compression
springs, and places spring specification tables
in drawings.
AMCOMP2D
Draws construction lines.Design Toolbar
Design Toolbar - Draw, Construction for more
construction line commands.
AMCONSTLINES
Switches construction lines between lines and
rays.
AMCONSTSWI
Displays the inner contour of an object. AMCONTIN
Displays the outer contour of an object. AMCONTOUT
Traces all points of a contour. AMCONTRACE
Converts the current drawing. AMCONVDWG
Copies a user specified layer group or selected
geometry into a new layer group.
AMCOPYLG
20 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Copies views to the same layout or to a differ-
ent layout.
AMCOPYVIEW
Creates a cotter pin. AMCOTTERPIN2D
Creates a standard related counterbore. AMCOUNTB2D
Creates a standard related countersink. AMCOUNTS2D
Creates a countersunk rivet. AMCRIVET2D
Creates a cylindrical pin. AMCYLPIN2D
Creates datum identifier symbols. AMDATUMID
Creates datum target symbols. AMDATUMTGT
Calculates the deflection line or moment line
of an object that has various force elements
acting on it.
AMDEFLINE
Deletes views and its dependent views. AMDELVIEW
Creates associative and scaled detail frames of
selected parts of a drawing.
AMDETAIL
Command Summary | 21
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Aligns linear, rotated, aligned, ordinate, or
angular dimensions that have a base dimen-
sion of the same type.
AMDIMALIGN
Rearranges individual dimensions that lie along
one axis, in respect to a reference point.
AMDIMARRANGE
Creates breaks in an existing dimension. AMDIMBREAK
Modifies dimensions in drawing mode. AMDIMFORMAT
Edits linear, aligned, rotated, and angular di-
mensions by inserting new dimensions of the
same type simultaneously.
AMDIMINSERT
Edits linear, aligned, and angular (3-point or
2-line) dimensions by joining similar dimen-
sions into a single dimension.
AMDIMJOIN
Edits multiple dimensions at the same time. AMDIMMEDIT
Resizes objects by stretching/shrinking linear
and symmetric dimensions.
AMDIMSTRETCH
Creates a single drill bushing. AMDRBUSH2D
Creates a drill bushing and the corresponding
hole.
AMDRBUSHHOLE2D
22 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates views of Autodesk Inventor

linked
models while in Drawing mode.
AMDWGVIEW
Creates edge symbols. AMEDGESYM
Edits balloons, parts lists, and symbols. AMEDIT
Displays or selects the paper space cutline for
breakout section views.
AMEDITPSCUTLINE
Edits views created in Drawing mode. AMEDITVIEW
Generates and organizes equations. AMEQUATEDIT
Erases all construction lines. AMERASEALLCL
Erases selected construction lines. AMERASECL
Breaks a compound object in the mechanical
structure environment into its component
objects.
AMEXPLODE
Designs, calculates, and inserts extension
springs, and inserts spring specification tables
in drawings.
AMEXT2D
Creates an external thread. AMEXTHREAD2D
Command Summary | 23
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates feature control frame symbols. AMFCFRAME
Calculates stress and deformation in a plane
for plates with a given thickness or in a cross
AMFEA2D
section with individual forces and stretching
loads.
Creates feature identifier symbols. AMFEATID
Rounds and fillets the edges of objects. AMFILLET2D
Puts existing fits and their respective dimen-
sion values into a list and inserts this fits list
into your drawing.
AMFITSLIST
Inserts a retaining ring/circlip with the appro-
priate groove in a shaft.
AMGROOVE2D
Creates a grooved drive stud. AMGROOVESTUD2D
Creates a 135-degree and 11 mm/0.4 inch
hatch.
AMHATCH_135_11
Creates a 135-degree and 2.7 mm/0.11 inch
hatch.
AMHATCH_135_2
Creates a 135-degree and 4.7 mm/0.19 inch
hatch.
AMHATCH_135_4
24 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates a 45-degree and 13 mm/0.5 inch
hatch.
AMHATCH_45_13
Creates a 45-degree and 2.5 mm/0.1 inch
hatch.
AMHATCH_45_2
Creates a 45-degree and 5 mm/0.22 inch
hatch.
AMHATCH_45_5
Creates a double hatch of 45- and 135-degree
and 2.3 mm/0.09 inch.
AMHATCH_DBL
Displays the online Help. AMHELP
Documents the holes in a design, including
coordinate dimensions.
AMHOLECHART
Calculates the following tasks: center of grav-
ity, directions of the main axes moment, mo-
AMINERTIA
ments of inertia, effective moment of inertia,
deflection angle.
Calculates the moment of inertia for cross
sections of cylinders, hollow cylinders, rectan-
gular prisms, or hollow rectangular prisms.
AMINERTIAPROF
Recreates the associative link between a .dwg
file and an Autodesk Inventor assembly (.iam)
or part (.ipt) document.
AMIVLINK
Selects an Autodesk Inventor Project (.ipj) file
to use as the active project file for opening
Autodesk Inventor assembly (.iam) files.
AMIVPROJECT
Command Summary | 25
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Rereads associated Autodesk Inventor part or
assembly file and updates the linked .dwg file.
AMIVUPDATE
Joins different entities. AMJOIN
Translates text strings in your drawing into
another language.
AMLANGCONV
Displays and uses text from the Language
Converter.
AMLANGTEXT
Manages the layer system. AMLAYER
Switches invisible lines on or off. AMLAYINVO
Moves lines to another layer. AMLAYMOVE
Moves lines to parts layers. AMLAYMOVEPL
Moves lines to working layers. AMLAYMOVEWL
Switches standard parts on or off. AMLAYPARTO
26 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Switches part reference on or off. AMLAYPARTREFO
Resets all layers. AMLAYRESET
Switches the border and title block on or off. AMLAYTIBLO
Specifies the layer group setting during a
working session.
AMLAYVISENH
Switches viewports on or off. AMLAYVPO
Moves elements in a selection set to a specific
layer group.
AMLGMOVE
Displays the Library dialog box. AMLIBRARY
Lists information about a selected view while
in Drawing mode.
AMLISTVIEW
Creates a lubricator. AMLUBRI2D
Dynamically moves and rotates selected geo-
metry along/around the X, Y, Z axes.
AMMANIPULATE
Makes a contour visible. AMMCONTV
Command Summary | 27
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Displays the browser in the mechanical struc-
ture environment.
AM_MECHANICAL_
BROWSER
Converts infopoints, position numbers, and
parts lists (on a drawing) from Genius
AMMIGRATEBB
13/Genius 14 to AutoCAD Mechanical 6
format.
Converts all symbols from Genius 13/14 to
AutoCAD Mechanical 6 format.
AMMIGRATESYM
Switches between model and drawing modes. AMMODE
Moves dimensions on drawings while main-
taining their association to the drawing view
geometry.
AMMOVEDIM
Moves a drawing view to another location in
the drawing or to another layout while in
Drawing mode.
AMMOVEVIEW
Describes holes, fits, and standard parts, and
creates associative notes to the drawing with
a leader.
AMNOTE
Creates a nut. AMNUT2D
Creates new objects at specified distances from
an existing object or through a specified point.
AMOFFSET
Sets configurations. Merged with AutoCAD
command OPTIONS.
AMOPTIONS
28 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates and places a parts list in a drawing. AMPARTLIST
Creates part references. AMPARTREF
Edits part reference data. AMPARTREFEDIT
Creates cylindrical pins, cotter pins, taper pins,
and grooved drive studs.
AMPIN2D
Inserts a plain bearing on a shaft or in a
housing.
AMPLBEAR2D
Inserts the current date in the lower right
corner of the title block.
AMPLOTDATE
Creates a plain rivet. AMPLRIVET2D
Creates a plug. AMPLUG2D
Copies an object with its internal information
to another position in the drawing.
AMPOWERCOPY
Creates power dimensions, or assigns toler-
ances or fits to power dimensions.
AMPOWERDIM
Command Summary | 29
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates angular dimensions, or assigns toler-
ances or fits to dimension.
AMPOWERDIM_ANG
Starts the command with which the selected
object was created to edit the object.
AMPOWEREDIT
Deletes selected objects. AMPOWERERASE
Starts the command with which the selected
object was created, to create a new object.
AMPOWERRECALL
Sets object snap modes, polar snap, and filters
for object snaps.
AMPOWERSNAP
Creates top or side views of standard parts. AMPOWERVIEW
Creates a projection crosshairs used for creat-
ing orthographic views.
AMPROJO
Controls the scale of all drawing symbols. AMPSCALE
Sets user-defined snap settings on tab 1. AMPSNAP1
Sets user-defined snap settings on tab 2. AMPSNAP2
Sets user-defined snap settings on tab 3. AMPSNAP3
30 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Sets user-defined snap settings on tab 4. AMPSNAP4
Snaps the rectangle center. AMPSNAPCEN
Switches the entity filter on or off. AMPSNAPFILTERO
Snaps to the middle of two points. AMPSNAPMID
Snaps to a reference point. AMPSNAPREF
Snaps to a relative point. AMPSNAPREL
Snaps to a virtual intersection point of two
lines.
AMPSNAPVINT
Switches snapping of the Z coordinate on or
off.
AMPSNAPZO
Creates a rectangle by defining its starting and
endpoint. See Appendix A, Design Toolbar -
AMRECTANG
Draw - Rectangle for more rectangle com-
mands.
Saves REFEDIT working set changes. AMREFCLOSE
Command Summary | 31
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Copies objects from other blocks to the
REFEDIT working set.
AMREFCOPY
Creates reference dimensions between the
part edges created in Model mode and lines,
arcs, circles, ellipses created in Drawing mode.
AMREFDIM
Rescales dimensions and symbols in model
and layout.
AMRESCALE
Switches revision lists on or off. AMREV
Inserts a revision list into a drawing or adds
an additional revision line to an existing revi-
sion list.
AMREVLINE
Updates revision lists. AMREVUPDATE
Creates plain and countersunk rivets. AMRIVET2D
Inserts a radial or axial roller bearing on a shaft
or in a housing.
AMROLBEAR2D
Selects folder(s) or view folder(s) in mechanical
structure and sets them as the active edit tar-
get.
AMSACTIVATE
Specifies new base points for folders or views
that can be activated.
AMSBASE
Allows scaling for entities in X and Y direction. AMSCALEXY
32 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates a scale area (an area that has a scale
that is different to model space scale) in
model space.
AMSCAREA
Opens the structure catalog dialog box, which
gives you the ability to insert structure com-
AMSCATALOG
ponents to the current drawing as external
references and manage them.
Opens the structure catalog dialog box AMSCATALOGOPEN
Closes the structure catalog dialog box. AMSCATALOGCLOSE
Views and edits the scale of scale areas or
viewports.
AMSCMONITOR
Copies the definitions of instanced folders,
components or views in the mechanical
structure environment.
AMSCOPYDEF
Creates components, component views,
folders, and annotation views in drawings in
the mechanical structure environment.
AMSCREATE
Creates a screw or bolt. AMSCREW2D
Calculates factors of safety for parts of a screw
connection.
AMSCREWCALC
Opens the Screw Connection dialog box. AMSCREWCON2D
Command Summary | 33
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Opens the Screw Assembly Templates dialog
box.
AMSCREWMACRO2D
Generates scripts. AMSCRIPT
Creates a sealing ring for use under a plug. AMSEALRING2D
Inserts a seal or O-ring with the appropriate
groove in a shaft.
AMSEALS2D
Creates cutting plane lines. AMSECTIONLINE
Directly manipulates the contents of an active
folder or view in the mechanical structure en-
vironment.
AMSEDIT
Sets up a drawing. AMSETUPDWG
Moves a structure component from the cur-
rent drawing to a new drawing file and con-
verts it to an external reference component.
AMSEXTERNALIZE
Creates rotationally symmetric shaft parts and
inner and outer shaft contours.
AMSHAFT2D
Calculates deflection line, bending moment,
torsion moment, supporting force, torque ro-
AMSHAFTCALC
tation angle, equivalent tension, and the safety
factor of shafts.
Creates a zigzag line, a free-hand line, or loop
to represent a shaft end.
AMSHAFTEND
34 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Inserts a parallel or woodruff key with the ap-
propriate keyseat in a shaft.
AMSHAFTKEY2D
Creates a shaft lock nut including the lock
washer and inserts both in a shaft.
AMSHAFTLNUT2D
Creates and edits hide situations in the
mechanical structure environment.
AMSHIDE
Edits hide situations created with AMSHIDE. AMSHIDEEDIT
Creates a shim ring on a shaft. AMSHIMRING2D
Creates seam and fillet simple welds. AMSIMPLEWELD
Inserts a new instance of a component view,
folder or annotation view in model space, in
the mechanical structure environment.
AMSINSERT
Converts an external reference component to
a local component on the current drawing.
AMSLOCALIZE
Moves objects and their associated occur-
rences in one or more folders or views to an-
AMSMOVE
other folder or view in the mechanical struc-
ture environment.
Toggles the Design Navigation mode on and
off.
AMSNAVMODE
Command Summary | 35
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates and manages new folders, compon-
ents, and annotation views in the mechanical
structure environment.
AMSNEW
Draws sprockets or pulleys. AMSPROCKET
Removes unused structure objects, including
folders, components, views, and annotation
AMSPURGE
views in the mechanical structure environ-
ment.
Replaces the definition of a folder or view with
another definition of objects in the mechanical
structure environment.
AMSREPLACEDEF
Opens the Standard Parts Database dialog box
for selection.
AMSTDPLIB
Opens the Standard Parts Database dialog box
for editing.
AMSTDPLIBEDIT
Changes the representation of a standard part. AMSTDPREP
Creates a steel shape. AMSTLSHAP2D
Changes the text style to italic. AMSTYLEITAL
Changes the text style to simplex. AMSTYLESIMP
36 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Changes the text style to standard. AMSTYLESTAND
Changes the text style to TXT. AMSTYLETXT
Creates surface texture symbols. AMSURFSYM
Appends or removes a leader. AMSYMLEADER
Draws symmetrical lines. AMSYMLINE
Creates a standard related tapped blind hole. AMTAPBHOLE2D
Creates a taper hole with an external thread. AMTAPETHREAD2D
Creates a taper hole with an internal thread. AMTAPITHREAD2D
Creates a taper pin. AMTAPERPIN2D
Creates a standard related tapped through
hole.
AMTAPTHOLE2D
Creates a taper or slope symbol. AMTAPERSYM
Command Summary | 37
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Inserts mtext with 3.5 mm height. AMTEXT3
Inserts mtext with 5 mm height. See Appendix
A, Assistance Toolbar - Text for more text
commands.
AMTEXT5
Inserts mtext with 7 mm height. AMTEXT7
Centers text horizontally and vertically. AMTEXTCENT
Centers text centered horizontally around the
selected point.
AMTEXTHORIZ
Aligns mtext to the right. AMTEXTRIGHT
Sets text to its default size in model space and
layout, and defines a height for an inserted
text.
AMTEXTSIZE
Creates text with the text style to TXT. AMTEXTTXT
Creates a standard related through hole. AMTHOLE2D
Creates a thread end. AMTHREADEND2D
38 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Inserts a title block and a drawing border. AMTITLE
Designs, calculates, and inserts torsion springs,
and inserts spring specification tables in
drawings.
AMTOR2D
Traces contours on construction lines. AMTRCONT
Creates a standard related through slot. AMTSLOT2D
Creates a user-defined blind hole. AMUBHOLE2D
Creates a user-defined blind slot. AMUBSLOT2D
Creates a user-defined counterbore. AMUCOUNTB2D
Creates a user-defined countersink. AMUCOUNTS2D
Creates an undercut on a shaft. AMUNDERCUT2D
Inserts a user-defined hatch. AMUSERHATCH
Command Summary | 39
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates a user-defined slot. AMUTSLOT2D
Connects to a database. AMVARIODB
Zooms the view according to the limits. AMVIEWALL
Zooms the center of the viewports. AMVIEWCEN
Zooms the predefined lower-left quarter of
the drawing.
AMVIEWLL
Zooms the predefined lower-right quarter of
the drawing.
AMVIEWLR
Zooms the predefined upper-left quarter of
the drawing.
AMVIEWUL
Zooms the predefined upper-right quarter of
the drawing.
AMVIEWUR
Creates a viewport in layout. AMVPORT
Creates viewports automatically. AMVPORTAUTO
Resets the viewports to the default scale factor. AMVPZOOMALL
Creates a washer. AMWASHER2D
40 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical
Description Command Name Toolbut-
ton
Creates a welding symbol. AMWELDSYM
Controls the representation of xrefs. AMXREFSET
Draws zigzag lines. AMZIGZAGLINE
Displays a selected area in another viewport. AMZOOMVP
Saves a file into a different file format for use
in more than one version of AutoCAD Mech-
anical.
SAVEAS
Command Summary | 41
42
New and Revised
Commands
In this chapter This chapter contains information about new and revised
commands in AutoCAD

Mechanical.
Revised Commands
New Commands
3
43
Revised Commands
This following are revised commands in this version of AutoCAD Mechanical.
AMBALLOON
Creates and places a balloon.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Balloons Menu
AMBOM Command
Contains a powerful expression builder enabling you to create complex
formulas for Balloons.
All dialog boxes displayed that are displayed in response to this command
have been enhanced with the intention of making them easier to
understand and easier to use.
AMBOM
Creates a formatted BOM database containing a list of attributes, parts lists with item numbers, and lists
of like items in a BOM.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools BOM Database Menu
AMBOM Command
Contains a powerful expression builder enabling you to create complex
formulas for component properties, much easier than was possible in
previous releases.
44 | Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands
All dialog boxes displayed that are displayed in response to this command
have been enhanced with the intention of making them easier to
understand and easier to use.
AMOPTIONS
Sets configurations.
None Toolbutton
Assist Options Menu
AMOPTIONS Command
The AM:Structure tab has been updated to provide additional options for
pre-configure how component views are created when they are copied,
arrayed or mirrored. The remaining options have been rearranged to make
them easier to understand.
The AM:Standards tab has been updated to let you independently configure
text settings for each symbol separately. The entire BOM, Balloon and Part
List configuration process has been revamped. All related dialog boxes
have been redesigned with the intention of making them easier to
understand and easier to use.
AMPARTLIST
Creates and places a parts list in a drawing.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Parts list Menu
AMPARTLIST Command
Provides options to wrap columns (also known as column splitting) directly
from the Parts List dialog box.
AMOPTIONS | 45
All dialog boxes displayed that are displayed in response to this command
have been enhanced with the intention of making them easier to
understand and easier to use.
AMPARTREF
Creates part references.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Part Reference Menu
AMPARTREF Command
All dialog boxes displayed that are displayed in response to this command
have been enhanced with the intention of making them easier to
understand and easier to use.
AMPARTREFEDIT
Creates part references.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Part Reference Edit Menu
AMPARTREFEDIT Command
All dialog boxes displayed that are displayed in response to this command
have been enhanced with the intention of making them easier to
understand and easier to use.
AMPOWERDIM
Creates power dimensions, or assigns tolerances or fits to power dimensions.
46 | Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
Command has been enhanced to automatically create arc extension lines
when points outside an arc is dimensioned.
Supports the creation of inspection dimensions.
AMSCATLOG
Opens the structure catalog dialog box, which gives you the ability to insert structure components to
the current drawing as external references and manage them.
Toolbutton
Insert Structure Catalog Menu
AMSCATALOG Command
The structure catalog is now seamlessly integrated with Autodesk Vault
and displays the status of vaulted referenced files.
The dialog box has been enhanced and the right-click menus have been
reorganized with the intention of making the options easier to understand
and easier to use.
AMSCREATE
Creates components, component views, folders, and annotation views in drawings in the mechanical
structure environment.
None Toolbutton
AMSCREATE Command
The command can now create annotation views in paper space. Creation
of annotation views is fully supported with calculation of the most
AMSCATLOG | 47
appropriate scale for a given paper size and standard compliant labels for
each view.
AMSEXTERNALIZE
Creates components, component views, folders, and annotation views in drawings in the mechanical
structure environment.
Toolbutton
AMSEXTERNALIZE Command
The command can now externalize local annotation views of xref
components, back to the source file.
AMSINSERT
Inserts a new instance of a component view, folder or annotation view in model space, in the mechanical
structure environment.
Toolbutton
AMSINSERT Command
The command can now create multiple instances of annotation views in
model space as well as in paper space.
AMSLOCALIZE
Converts an external reference component to a local component on the current drawing.
None Toolbutton
48 | Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands
AMSLOCALIZE Command
The command can now localize xref annotation views.
AMSNEW
Creates and manages new folders, components, and annotation views in the mechanical structure envir-
onment.
Toolbutton
AMSLOCALIZE Command
The command can now create annotation views in paper space. Creation
of annotation views is fully supported with calculation of the most
appropriate scale for a given paper size and standard compliant labels for
each view.
AMSTLSHAP2D
Creates a steel shape.
Toolbutton
Content Steel Shapes Menu
AMSTLSHAP2D Command
The command has been updated to contain over 500 new steel shapes, in
compliance with the year 2005 revision of the JIS and GB standards.
AMSURFSYM
Creates surface texture symbols.
AMSNEW | 49
Toolbutton
Annotate Symbols Surface Texture Menu
AMSURFSYM Command
You can now specify the surface texture parameter designation, numerical
limit value and transmission band as a single surface texture requirement.
The Surface Symbol dialog box has been updated to contain customizable
drop-down lists.
AMWELDSYMBOL
Creates welding symbols.
Toolbutton
Annotate Symbols Welding Menu
AMWELDSYMBOL Command
The Welding Symbol dialog box contains a revised process list. Additional
you can automatically prefix the process number with the ISO standard
that governs the symbol.
New Commands
This following are new commands in this version of AutoCAD Mechanical.
AMBROWSEROPEN
Turns on the mechanical browser.
None Toolbutton
None Menu
50 | Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands
AMBROWSEROPEN Command
Typically invoked when the Structure workspace is turned on.
AMBROWSERCLOSE
Turns off the mechanical browser.
None Toolbutton
None Menu
AMBROWSERCLOSE Command
Typically invoked when workspaces other than the structure workspace is
turned on.
AMSCATALOGOPEN
Turns on the mechanical browser.
None Toolbutton
None Menu
AMSCATALOGOPEN Command
Typically invoked when the Structure workspace is turned on.
AMSCATALOGCLOSE
Turns off the mechanical browser.
None Toolbutton
None Menu
AMSCATALOGCLOSE Command
Typically invoked when workspaces other than the structure workspace is
turned on.
AMBROWSERCLOSE | 51
AMSNAVMODE
Toggles the design navigation mode on or off.
None Toolbutton
None Menu
AMSNAVMODE Command
CTRL - D Shortcut Key
While the Design Navigation Mode is on, when you move the cursor
through model space, each component the cursor moves over highlights
(in model space as well as in the mechanical browser) and a tootip displays
the hierarchical structure of the component.
52 | Chapter 3 New and Revised Commands
Design and Annotation
Tools
In this part The tutorials in this section teach you how to use AutoCAD

Mechanicals design, annotation and productivity tools. The Working with Templates
Using Mechanical Structure
lessons include step-by-step instructions and helpful
Working with Layers and
Layer Groups illustrations. You learn how to work with templates and layers,
Designing Levers
mechanical structure, model space and layouts, dimensions,
Working with Model Space
and Layouts steel shapes, bills of material (BOMs) and parts lists.
Dimensioning
Instructions on how to prepare your designs for final
documentation are also included.
Working with 2D Hide and
2D Steel Shapes
Working with Standard
Parts
Working with BOMs and
Parts Lists
Creating Shafts with
Standard Parts
Calculating Shafts
53
54
Working with Templates
In this chapter In this tutorial, you learn about the predefined templates and
how to create your own user-defined templates in AutoCAD

Mechanical.
Key Terms
Working with Templates
4
55
Key Terms
Definition Term
A layer made up of working layers and standard parts layers. Base layers are re-
peated in every layer group.
base layer
A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of
working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and
layer group
a complete component. The drawing and its overview are enhanced with a re-
duction in regeneration time.
A layer where the standard parts are put. All standard parts layers have the suffix
AM_*N.
part layers
A file with predefined settings to use for new drawings. However, any drawing
can be used as a template.
template
The layer where you are currently working. working layer
Working with Templates
In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can use templates (*.dwt files) to create drawings.
Predefined templates, which contain settings for various drawings, such as
am_iso.dwt or am_ansi.dwt, are supplied with AutoCAD Mechanical. You can
create your own templates, or use any drawing as a template. When you use
a drawing as a template, the settings in that drawing are used in the new
drawing.
Although you can save any drawing as a template, prepare templates to include
settings and drawing elements that are consistent with your company or
project standards, such as the following items:
unit type and precision
drawing limits
snap, grid, and ortho settings
layer organization
56 | Chapter 4 Working with Templates
title blocks, borders, and logos
dimension and text styles
linetypes and lineweights
If you start a drawing from scratch, AutoCAD Mechanical reads the system
defaults from the registry. The system defaults have a predefined standard.
If you create a new drawing based on an existing template and make changes
to the drawing, those changes do not affect the template.
To begin working with templates immediately, you can use the predefined
template files stored in the acadm\template folder.
However, for this tutorial you create your own template.
If you are using Windows Vista and if UAC (User access Control) is enabled,
in order to complete the exercices in this chapter, you must log on as a full
administrator. Logging on as a user with administrator privileges is not
sufficient, you must log on using the built in administrator account.
Setting Up Starting Layers
Each time you start AutoCAD Mechanical, layer 0 is active. Since layer 0 does
not belong to the Mechanical layers, it is not displayed in the Layer Control
dialog box of AutoCAD Mechanical if you select Mechanical Layer in the Show
field.
It is required that you specify the mechanical layer AM_0 as the default starting
layer.
To specify a starting layer
1 Start the Layer Control command.
Toolbutton
Assist Layer/Layergroup Layer/Layer Group
Control
Menu
AMLAYER Command
2 In the Layer Control dialog box, Layer Control tab, select the layer AM_0
and then choose Current.
Setting Up Starting Layers | 57
Choose OK.
The layer AM_0 is active, as you can see in the toolbar:
Setting Mechanical Options
In the Options dialog box, you can specify general settings for AutoCAD
Mechanical, Autodesk

Mechanical Desktop

, and AutoCAD

. Tabs that affect

settings for either Mechanical Desktop or AutoCAD Mechanical, or both, have
an AM prefix. Use the arrows at the right end of the tab bar to move left and
right through all of the available tabs.
When you start the AutoCAD Mechanical application, mechanical structure
is enabled by default. Although this setting is not stored in templates, disable
mechanical structure for this exercise.
To set mechanical options
1 Start the Mechanical Options command.
58 | Chapter 4 Working with Templates
Menu Assist Options
OPTIONS or AMOPTIONS Command
2 In the Options dialog box, AM:Structure tab, clear the Enable Structure
check box, and then choose Apply.
3 On the AM:Standards tab, specify:
Standard: ISO
Measurement: Metric
Model Scale: 1:1
Choose OK.
NOTE All settings in this dialog that are stored in the drawing (template) are
marked with this icon: The current standard and all related settings
are listed in the right section.
Setting Mechanical Options | 59
Specifying Drawing Limits
Specify the drawing limits according to size A0 (840 x 1188 mm). This limits
your drawing space to the specified size.
To specify the drawing limits
1 Start the Drawing Limits command.
Menu Assist Format Drawing Limits
LIMITS Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0.00,0.00>: Press ENTER
Specify upper right corner <420.00,297.00>: Enter 841, 1189, press
ENTER
The limits are expanded to A0 format.
Saving Templates
Save the previously changed drawing as a template.
To save a template
1 Start the Save As command.
Menu File Save As
SAVEAS Command
2 In the Save Drawing As dialog box, specify:
Files of type: AutoCAD Mechanical Drawing Template (*.dwt)
File name: my_own_template
60 | Chapter 4 Working with Templates
Choose Save.
3 In the Template Description dialog box, specify:
Description: Tutorial Template
Measurement: Metric
Choose OK.
4 Close the drawing.
Menu File Close
CLOSE Command
Saving Templates | 61
Using Templates
Use the previously created template to start a new drawing.
To open a template
1 Start the New command.
Toolbutton
File New Menu
NEW Command
2 In the Select template dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and then
choose Open.
Start the new drawing using the settings of the previously saved template.
Setting Default Standards Templates
Specify your template as the default template.
62 | Chapter 4 Working with Templates
To set a default template
1 Start the Mechanical Options command.
Menu Assist Options
AMOPTIONS Command
2 In the Options dialog box, AM:Standards tab, choose Browse.
3 In the Open dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and then choose
Open.
4 In the Options dialog box, choose OK.
The template my_own_template is used as the default standards template
until you specify a different default template.
NOTE The default standards template is used if a drawing does not contain
any AutoCAD Mechanical configuration. If a drawing already contains
AutoCAD Mechanical configuration data, or a new drawing has been created
using an AutoCAD Mechanical template, the default template does not affect
the drawing.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Setting Default Standards Templates | 63
64
Using Mechanical
Structure
In this chapter In this tutorial, you learn how to use mechanical structure in
AutoCAD

Mechanical. You learn how to work with folders,

Key Terms
Working with Mechanical
Structure
components and component views. You also review the bill
Folders
of materials, restructure components and resolve ghost
Selection Modes
components. You learn how to insert components from
Mechanical Browser
Display Options
external files, edit in-place, localize external components and
externalize local components.
External Reference
Components
Annotation Views
Associative Hide
5
65
Key Terms
Definition Term
A folder that contains one or more component views dedicated to annotating
and detailing parts and subassemblies.
annotation view
In mechanical structure, the implication that a change to one instance of a
definition is reflected in all other instances of that definition, including the
definition itself.
associative
A browser that contains the hierarchy of components, component views, an-
notation views, and folders of a given mechanical structure.
mechanical browser
A browser placeholder and identification for the component type. A component
is analogous to the manufacturing units of parts and assemblies.
component
A folder nested under a component that contains the geometry for a particular
view of that component.
component view
folder
A description of a folder, component, or view that AutoCAD Mechanical saves
in the database, similar to a block definition.
definition
The graphical elements of a drawing that represent the shape and size of a part
or assembly.
elemental geometry
A folder that contains any drawing item that does not have a dedicated or default
folder preprogrammed in mechanical structure.
folder
A unit of elemental geometry. free object (as used in
the Create Hide Situ-
ation dialog box)
The graphical elements of a drawing that represent the shape and size of a part
or assembly.
geometry
Geometry that is included in a hide situation. hidden geometry
66 | Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure
Definition Term
An iteration of a definition as it appears in mechanical structure. instance
Used variously to describe any item in mechanical structure, whether a compon-
ent, folder, or geometry.
object
Placement of a component, usually in multiple-level assemblies, where a com-
ponent is replicated as a result of multiple placements of a single part or sub-
assembly.
occurrence
Working with Mechanical Structure
Mechanical structure is a set of tools used to organize data for reuse. Structure
is graphically represented by a tree called the mechanical browser.
In this chapter, you learn how to use mechanical structure by working through
simple demonstrations. First, you must create a new drawing and enable
mechanical structure.
Working with Mechanical Structure | 67
Enabling Mechanical structure
To enable mechanical structure
Click the STRUCT status bar button and latch it down to enable mechanical
structure.
To display the mechanical browser
1 If the mechanical browser is not visible, in the command line, enter
AMBROWSER.
2 When prompted, enter ON.
Folders
The basic element of mechanical structure is the folder. A folder is similar to
a block in that it has a definition that can be instanced multiple times. Like
a block, the definition is stored away in the nongraphical area of the drawing.
Similar to blocks, any change you make to the folder definition is reflected in
all instances of that folder.
Creating Folders
1 Use the Circle tool to create a circle. The size and proportions are not
important.
2 Use the Rectangle tool to draw a rectangle around the circle.
3 Right-click anywhere in the browser, and select New Folder.
4 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter folder name <Folder1>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Select the circle and then the rectangle and press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle
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Modifying Folders
While folders are similar to blocks, there are significant differences. The most
significant, is that the contents of a folder remain editable without the need
for a special editing mode like REFEDIT.
To grip edit the circle
1 Continue clicking the circle until you see the word CIRCLE in the tooltip
window.
2 Select a grip, drag and then click.
If a folder's contents are selectable, how do you select the folder? This is where
the tooltip comes in. You select folders (and other elements of structure) by
cycling through a selection, and the tooltip tells you what you are selecting.
In the next exercise, you copy the folder to demonstrate structure selection.
To copy the folder
1 Press ESC to clear any preselection.
2 In the command line, enter -COPY and press ENTER.
Modifying Folders | 69
3 Continue clicking the circle until you see the word Folder1:1 in the tooltip
window.
4 Press ENTER to complete selection, then pick points to finish the copy.
5 Press ESC to finish.
The mechanical browser shows a second instance of the folder (Folder1:2),
implying that you copied the folder, not just the contents.
In the next exercise you modify the contents of a folder to demonstrate that
modifying one instance of a folder updates both.
To edit an instance
1 Continue clicking a circle until you see the word CIRCLE in the tooltip
window.
2 Press DELETE. Note how the circle is deleted from both instances.
Next, you add new geometry to a folder. Before you add geometry you must
activate the folder to make it the active edit target. This ensures that geometry
is added to the folder and not to model space.
To activate and add geometry
1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Activate. The geometry
that does not belong to this folder is dimmed out.
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2 Use LINE to draw two diagonal lines from corner to corner on the
rectangle. Note that the lines appear in the other instance as soon as the
command is completed.
3 Double-click a vacant area in the browser to reset activation.
Nesting Folders
Like blocks, folders can be nested. However, a folder cannot be nested within
itself, which is about the only restriction on folder nesting.
1 Draw a small circle in the lower triangle in the second instance of the
folder.
2 Draw a line from the center of the circle to the 3 oclock quadrant of the
circle.
3 In the browser, right-click Folder1:2 and select New Folder.
Nesting Folders | 71
4 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter folder name <Folder2>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Select the circle and then the line and press ENTER
Specify base point: Select the center of the circle.
5 Expand Folder1:1 and Folder 1:2 and verify that a nested folder was
created.
6 In the browser, right-click Folder1:2 again and select Insert Folder.
7 Respond to the prompts as below:
Enter folder name to insert or [?] <?>: Enter Folder2 and press ENTER
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90]:
Click in the triangle on the right, in the second instance of Folder1
Specify rotation angle <0>: Enter 45 and press ENTER
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Notice that when you added the nested folders, both instances updated,
just like when you added the lines. Folder2:1 was created as a child of
Folder1:2 because we chose New Folder from its context menu, and
Folder2:2 was inserted into Folder1:2 for the same reason. Note that as
with blocks, you were able to rotate the folder instance on insertion.
Instance vs. Occurrence
To finish with folders, you inspect a few browser functions such as visibility
and property overrides. While performing these exercises you learn the
difference between instances and occurrences.
To override properties
1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Property Overrides.
2 In the Property Overrides dialog box, select the Enable overrides check
box.
3 Select the Color check box, The default color changes to red.
4 Click OK.
Note how the entire instance, inclusive of the nested folders is now red.
Also note how the color change did not have an effect on Folder1:2.
5 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 again, and select Property Overrides
6 In the Property Overrides dialog box, clear the Enable overrides check
box, and click OK.
Instance vs. Occurrence | 73
7 In the browser, right click Folder1:1 Folder2:1 and select property
overrides.
8 Apply a color override of red to the folder.
The subfolder you selected is now red, but the other subfolder is not.
Notice that the same subfolder is red in Folder1:2. This is because property
overrides are instance-based. When you look at visibility you will
understand why this matters.
To apply visibility overrides
1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Visible. The entire folder
is now invisible.
2 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Visible. The folder is visible
again.
3 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1\Folder2:2 and select Visible. Notice
that unlike the property overrides, both instances of Folder2 are visible
in Folder1:2. That's because visibility is occurrence-based.
Selection Modes
The three status bar buttons next to the STRUCT status bar button control the
different selection modes.
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Function Button
Switches the structure selection order between bottom-
up and top-down.
BTM-UP/TOP-
DN
Switches the Reference Lock on and off. When the Refer-
ence Lock is on, you cannot select entities in an external
folder or view (more on this later).
R-LOCK
Switches the Selection Lock on and off. When the Selection
Lock is on, selection is restricted to the active edit target
and below.
S-LOCK
The next two exercises demonstrate the behavior of the BTM-UP/TOP-DN and
S-LOCK selection modes.
To select items when the selection mode is set to top-down
1 Press ESC to clear any selections.
2 Click the BTM-UP/TOP-DN button and ensure that the text on the button
reads TOP-DN.
3 Click one of the circles in Folder1:1. Note the tooltip indicates that you
selected the folder, Folder1:1, and not the circle.
4 Click the circle again. Note the tooltip indicates that you selected the
nested folder.
5 Click the circle again. Note the tooltip indicates that you have finally
managed to select the circle.
6 Click the circle again. Selection cycles to Folder1:1 again.
When the selection mode is set to top-down, the selection sequence begins
at the topmost level and ends with the elemental geometry. When the selection
mode is set to bottom-up the selection begins with the elemental geometry.
You may want to set the selection mode and repeat the exercise to verify the
behavior of the selection modes under the bottom-up.
Selection Modes | 75
To select items when S-LOCK is on
1 Press ESC to clear any selections.
2 In the browser, double-click Folder1:1 to activate it.
3 Click the S-LOCK button and latch it down to turn on the selection lock.
4 Click one of the circles in Folder1:2. Note that the circle is no longer
selectable.
5 Click one of the circles in Folder1:1. Grips appear, indicating that selection
is possible.
6 Double-click the root of the mechanical browser tree to reset activation.
7 Close the drawing. You can save the drawing, if required.
Components and Component Views
You may notice that folders provide some useful features, but they're probably
not different enough from blocks to convince you to change over to the
structure paradigm. The potential of mechanical structure begins to be revealed
when you start dealing with components and component views.
Component Views are basically folders with some extra rules that make them
more suitable for mechanical design. You typically need more than one view
to fully describe a part or assembly. Folders (and blocks before them) don't
offer any mechanism other than naming to associate multiple views of the
same part. Components and views solve this by allowing you to collect multiple
folders (component views) under a single Component.
A component can be a part or assembly, based on its contents (if a component
contains another component, then it's an assembly). The component also
gives you a place to store attributes like description and material. Components
don't actually contain geometry; they just group the views that contain the
geometry. This will begin to make more sense when you create some
components and component views.
Creating Part Components
1 Start a new drawing and draw a long thin rectangle (the edge view of a
plate).
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2 Draw a second rectangle, above the first, having the same width (the top
view).
3 Right-click anywhere in the browser, and select New Component.
4 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new component name <COMP1>: Press ENTER
Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Select the larger rectangle and press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle
Note that the mechanical browser now displays the component COMP1:1
and that it contains the component view; Top, below it.
To add a new view to a component
1 In the browser, right-click COMP1:1 and select New Component
View.
2 Accept the default name for the component view.
3 Select the smaller rectangle and press ENTER.
4 To specify a base point, click the lower left corner of the rectangle. Note
that the new component view, Front, was added to the component
COMP1:1
Creating Part Components | 77
Creating Assembly Components
You now have two component views; Front and Top, and they are grouped
together in the browser by COMP1:1. In the next exercise, you insert another
instance of COMP1 and assemble the two components (parts) in an L shape.
To insert a new instance of a component
1 In the browser, right-click a vacant area, and select Insert Component.
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter component name or [?] <?>: Enter COMP1 and press ENTER
Enter component view name or [?] <Top>: Enter Front and press ENTER
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90]:
Pick point 1, the top left corner of the larger rectangle
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
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3 In the browser, right-click COMP1:2 and select Insert Component
View Top.
4 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90]:
Pick point 2, the lower left corner of the front view of COMP1:1
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER.
To assemble components
1 Right-click anywhere In the browser, and select New Component.
Creating Assembly Components | 79
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new component name <COMP2>: Enter ASSY and press ENTER
Enter new view name <Top>: Enter Front and press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Select COMP1:1 (Front) and COMP1:2 (Top) and press ENTER
To select a component view instead of the geometry, continue clicking
the geometry until you see the component view name in the tooltip
window. If you accidentally select the wrong view, you can cancel the
selection by selecting the view again with the SHIFT key pressed.
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the combined view.
The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.
3 In the Destination Components list, right-click a vacant area, and select
Create New View.
4 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Select COMP1:1 (Top) and COMP1:2 (Front) and press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the combined view
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Modifying Assembly Components
As you work, you can continue to add views as needed. To demonstrate this,
in the next exercise, you add a side view of this assembly.
To add a component view
1 Draw a rectangle representing the side view of the first instance of COMP1.
2 In the browser, right-click ASSY:1 and select New Component View.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter new view name <Right>: Enter Side and press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Dont pick anything - just press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle
4 In the browser, right-click COMP1:1 and select New Component
View.
5 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new view name <Right>: Enter Side and press ENTER
Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Enter Side and press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Modifying Assembly Components | 81
Pick the rectangle and press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle
6 In the browser, right-click COMP1:2 and select Insert Component
View Side.
7 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Enter Side and press ENTER
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90/nextView]:
Enter R and press ENTER
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90/nextView]:
Pick a place close to the other view
Specify rotation angle <90>: Press ENTER
8 Move the view into the correct position.
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In the next exercise, you add a component to the assembly to demonstrate
the ability to add a component after the assembly is created.
To add a component
1 Draw a circle on the top view of the assembly.
2 In the browser, right-click ASSY:1(Top) and select New Component.
3 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new component name <COMP2>: Press ENTER
Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view: Select the circle and press ENTER
Specify base point: Click the center of the circle
Modifying Assembly Components | 83
4 Draw a rectangle representing the projected view in the front view of the
assembly
5 In the browser, double-click ASSY:1 Top to activate that view
6 Right-click COMP2:1 and select New Component View.
7 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new view name <Front>: Enter Side and press ENTER
Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Select the rectangle and press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the midpoint of the lower edge of the rectangle
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8 In the browser, double-click ASSY:1 Side to activate it.
9 Ensure that S-LOCK is off and copy COMP2:1(Side) and position it in the
side view.
To select a component view instead of the geometry, continue clicking
the geometry until you see the component view name in the tooltip
window
10 In the Component View Instance created dialog box, select Existing in
the last column.
11 Double-click a vacant area to reset activation.
Modifying Assembly Components | 85
Using Folders with Component Views
When folders are used in conjunction with component views, you can do
several useful things. This section shows two examples.
You can use folders to contain drawing items that would otherwise not be
accounted for with a default component view folder.
In the following example, a folder, Groove:1, was created to contain the upper
groove and arrayed to create the others. Because the groove is implemented
as a folder, it does not have an impact on the BOM. Modifying one of the
grooves results in all grooves being updated.
In the following example, a folder, Profile:1, was created to contain the
upper-wheel profile. Profile:2 is another instance of this folder, created by
mirroring Profile:1. Changing one profile automatically updates the other.
The wheel component was created after the Profile folders. The design intent
is captured and organized with these folders.
Mechanical Browser Display Options
The mechanical browser shows the hierarchical organization of components
within a drawing. In this section, you use browser options to show data in
different ways to get a better understanding of components and component
views.
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The default view of the mechanical browser shows the hierarchical organization
of components as well as indicates which component owns a given component
view.
To show the View Tree and Component Tree
1 Right-click the root node of the mechanical browser and select Browser
Options.
2 In the View Tree section, select the Display Tree check box.
3 In the Component Tree section, clear the Component Views check box.
4 Click OK.
5 Right-click a vacant area in the browser and select Expand All.
In this view, the hierarchy of components as well as views are shown.
Mechanical Browser Display Options | 87
To show both default and expandable assembly views
1 Right-click the root node of the mechanical browser and select Browser
Options.
2 In the Component Tree section, select the Component Views check box.
3 Click OK.
In this view, the mechanical browser shows the hierarchy of components,
component views as well as indicates which component owns a given
component view. In practice, you can work with the view settings that makes
most sense to you.
Mechanical Browser and BOMs
Components not only group component views, they hold bills of material
(BOM) attributes as well. In the next exercise, you insert a parts list and in the
process, explore the BOM of the simple assembly you created.
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To insert a parts list
1 In the command line, enter AMBOM.
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Specify BOM to create or set current [Main/?] <MAIN>: Press ENTER
3 In the BOM dialog box, click the plus sign (+) in the first column to
expand ASSY.
4 Click the Insert Parts list button on the toolbar of the BOM dialog box.
5 In the Parts List dialog box, click OK and click inside the drawing to
indicate where to insert the parts list.
6 In the BOM dialog box, click OK.
Mechanical Browser and BOMs | 89
By associating views through a single component, the BOM is managed
accurately and semi-automatically. You can manage component attributes
through the BOM editor or directly on the component from the browser.
Browser Restructure and Ghost Components
In the next exercise you restructure COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 to be parts of an
assembly named SUB-ASSY. To do this, you must create SUB-ASSY first.
To create a component
1 Right-click a vacant area in the browser and choose New Component.
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter new component name <COMP3>: Enter SUB-ASSY and press ENTER
Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
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Select COMP1:1 (Top) and COMP2:1 (Top) and press ENTER
To select a component view instead of the geometry, continue clicking
the geometry until you see the component view name in the tooltip
window. If you accidentally select the wrong view, you can cancel the
selection by selecting the view again with the SHIFT key pressed.
Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the combined view
The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.
3 Observe the mechanical browser.
Browser Restructure and Ghost Components | 91
Note that the component SUB-ASSY is already created (1) and COMP1:1
and COMP2:1 are components of it. Also, the COMP1:1 and COMP2:1
continue to exist as components of ASSY1 (2), but the icon changed. This
icon indicates that the component is a Ghost Component. Ghost
components are containers of the views of components that are in an
intermediate state of restructure.
To learn how to resolve ghost components, you must stop creating
SUB-ASSY at this point.
4 Click OK. You now have two ghost components in the browser.
Before you start resolving ghost components, you must add two
component views to the component SUB-ASSY.
5 In the browser, right-click SUB-ASSY:1 and select New Component
View.
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter new view name <Front>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
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Dont pick anything. Just press ENTER
Specify base point:
Pick the lower left corner of the large rectangle in the lower left of the drawing
7 In the browser, right-click SUB-ASSY:1 and select New Component
View again.
8 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new view name <Right>: Enter Side and press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Dont pick anything. Just press ENTER
Specify base point:
Pick the lower left corner of the assembly displayed in the lower right of the
drawing
Browser Restructure and Ghost Components | 93
To resolve ghost components
1 In the browser, click the ghost component COMP1:1, press the CTRL key
and click COMP2:1. Both components are selected.
2 Drag to SUB-ASSY1. The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.
3 In the Source Component Views list, with the CTRL key pressed select
COMP1:1(Front) and COMP2:1(Side).
4 Drag to SUB-ASSY1(Front). The views move from the Source Component
Views list to the Destination Component Views list.
5 Drag the remaining views in the Source Component Views list to
SUB-ASSY1:(Side) in the Destination Component Views list.
6 Click OK.
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The ghost components disappear and COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 are now parts
of SUB-ASSY1.
In the final exercise of browser restructure, you restructure SUB-ASSY1 to be
a subassembly of ASSY1.
To restructure components
1 In the browser, drag SUB-ASSY:1 Front to ASSY:1 Front. The
Restructure components dialog box is displayed.
2 Drag SUB-ASSY:1 (Top) to ASSY:1 (Top) and SUB-ASSY:1 (Side) to ASSY:1
(Side).
3 Click OK. SUB-ASSY1 is restructured as a subassembly of ASSY:1
Browser Restructure and Ghost Components | 95
External Reference Components
In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can save individual parts and subassemblies in
external files and share them between designs. When a part is modified, the
changes are propagated to all instances, ensuring that assembly drawings are
always synchronized with their related part drawings.
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Inserting External Components
In this exercise, you insert a Gripper on to a Gripper Plate drawing.
1 Open the file Tut_Gripper_Plate.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains two views of a gripper plate and contains two
construction lines.
2 To keep the original file intact, save the file as Gripper.dwg
3 Display the Structure Catalog.
Toolbutton
Insert Structure Catalog Menu
AMSCATALOG Command
4 In the Files tab, navigate to the acadm\tutorial folder and select
Tut_Gripper.dwg. The structure panel shows the mechanical structure
components in the drawing and the preview panel shows a preview of
the drawing.
5 In the structure panel, drag GRIPPER Front to model space.
6 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90/nextView]:
Pick the upper left corner of the smaller rectangle
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
Note the mechanical browser. The external reference (xref) component
is indicated by a blue colored marker.
Inserting External Components | 97
Once one view of an xref component is inserted, the other views can be
inserted as normal.
To insert another view of the xref component
1 In the browser, right-click GRIPPER1 and select Insert from Xref Drawing
Component View Top.
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate 90/nextView]:
Pick the upper left corner of the larger rectangle
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
To insert more instances of the xref component
1 In the command line enter MIRROR and press ENTER.
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
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Select objects:
Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and in model space, click both
xref views you just inserted and press ENTER
Specify first point of mirror line:
Click anywhere on the vertical construction line
Specify second point of mirror line:
Click elsewhere on the vertical construction line
Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter N and press ENTER
3 In the last column of the Component View Instance Created dialog box,
select New.
A new instance of the component, GRIPPER:2 is created. You will now
mirror the top views of GRIPPER:1 and GRIPPER:2 to draw two more
grippers on the top view of the plate.
4 In the command line enter MIRROR and press ENTER.
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects:
Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and in model space, click the
top views of the two grippers, press ENTER
Specify first point of mirror line:
Click anywhere on the horizontal construction line
Inserting External Components | 99
Specify second point of mirror line:
Click elsewhere on the horizontal construction line
Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter N and press ENTER
Next, you assemble the components under an assembly, named GRIPPER
ASSEMBLY.
To assemble components
1 Right-click a vacant area in the browser, and select New Component.
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new view name <Top>: Enter Front and press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and window select the smaller
rectangle and the two grippers connected to it and press ENTER
Specify base point:
Pick the intersection of the construction line with the upper edge of the rectangle
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The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.
3 In the Destination Components list, right-click a vacant area, and select
Create New View.
4 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER
Select objects for new component view:
Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and window select the larger
rectangle and the four grippers connected to it and press ENTER
Specify base point: Pick the intersection of the two construction lines
5 Save the file as Gripper Assembly.dwg.
Editing External Components In-place
In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can edit xref components in-place. Although
this is very convenient, if you accidently modify a component, the mistake
effects all drawings that use this xref component. As a precaution, you must
do one of the following before you edit an xref component:
Release the R-LOCK status bar button.
Activate the xref component view or folder to be edited.
Editing External Components In-place | 101
In the next exercise, you modify the gripper lever using the activate method.
To edit an xref component in place
1 In the browser, double-click Gripper Front to activate it.
Notice that locks appear on all instances of the gripper in the browser.
This indicates that the source file containing the gripper is now locked
and no one else can modify it.
2 Start the Chamfer command.
Toolbutton
Modify Chamfer Menu
AMCHAM2D Command
3 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension]: <Setup>
Press ENTER
4 In the Chamfer dialog box, select 10 as the first and second chamfer
lengths, and click OK
5 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension]: <Setup>
Select the left vertical line of the gripper lever (1)
Select second object or <Return for polyline>:
Select the lower horizontal line of the gripper lever (2)
Select object to create original length: Press ESC
6 In the browser, double-click a vacant area to reset activation.
Note that although the xref component view is no longer the active edit
target, the gripper continues to be locked.
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7 In the browser, right-click a vacant area, and select Purge All Locks.
8 In the Purge Locks message box, click OK.
To verify if the changes were written back to the source file
In the browser, right-click GRIPPER1 and select Open to Edit. The Gripper
source file opens.
Note that the component view Open Position has also been modified. How
did this happen?
Expand the component Lever1. Notice that it has two instances of the
component view Front. Another example of how mechanical structure can
eliminate repetitive tasks.
Localizing and Externalizing
To modify a part without effecting other drawings that use the part, you can
localize the xref component. By localizing you copy the definition of the xref
component to the current drawing and the link with the xref file is severed.
To localize an xref component
1 From the Window menu, switch to the Gripper Assembly drawing.
2 In the browser, right-click the GRIPPER assembly node and select Localize.
3 In the Xref Info message box, click Yes.
The Gripper is no longer an xref component.
To detail a part without loosing associativity between the detail and assembly,
you can externalize the part to a file and detail it in that file. In the next
exercise you externalize the cylinder component.
To externalize a component
1 In the browser, expand one of the Gripper components and right click
CYLINDER:1.
2 Select Externalize.
3 In the New External File dialog box, accept the defaults and click Save.
Localizing and Externalizing | 103
Note that CYLINDER:1 is an xref component in all instances of the
GRIPPER component.
Annotation Views
In some cases, externalizing to detail may be considered excessive. Mechanical
Structure provides for creating Annotation Views, an associative view of a
component purely for the purpose of detailing. Annotation views have no
effect on the BOM.
In the next exercise, you create an annotation view for the LEVER component.
To create an annotation view
1 In the browser, expand one of the Gripper components and right-click
LEVER:1
2 Select New Annotation View.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter annotation view name <LEVER(AV1)>: Press ENTER
Select placement location
[Modelspace/existing Layout/ New layout] <existing Layout>:
Press ENTER
Enter existing layout name <Layout1>: Press ENTER
Enter scale or [Calculate] <1:2>: Press ENTER
--- Switch to Paperspace ---
Restoring cached viewports - Regenerating layout.
Create labels for all subviews [Yes/No] <No>: Press ENTER
Specify base point:
Select a point at the center of the A3 paper for the annotation views
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate
90/nextView/Done] <Done>:
Select a point just below and to the right of the point you clicked on previously
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate
90/nextView/Done] <Done>:
104 | Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure
Use object tracking mode for alignment, select a point directly below the point
you clicked on previously.
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
Specify the insertion point or [Base point/Rotate
90/nextView/Done] <Done>: Press ENTER
NOTE You can type AMSNEW at the command line to display the New dialog
box to create annotation views.
To annotate the geometry in the annotation view
1 Start the Automatic Dimension command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Automatic Dimension Menu
AMAUTODIM Command
The Automatic Dimensioning dialog box is displayed.
2 In the Type drop-down list, select Chain and click OK.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects [Block]:
Window-select the larger of the two views in the annotation view
Select objects [Block]: Press ENTER
First extension line origin: Pick the upper left corner of the geometry
Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:
Select a point to the left of the geometry
Starting point for next extension line: Press ENTER
Annotation Views | 105
4 Note the dimension of the chamfer section.
To modify the chamfer in the assembly
1 Switch to model space. In the browser, expand GRIPPER:1, right-click
LEVER:1 Front and select Zoom to.
2 Start the Power Edit command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Edit Menu
AMPOWEREDIT Command
3 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Select object: Select the Chamfer
4 In the Chamfer dialog box, select 2.5 as the First Chamfer Length and 5
as the Second Chamfer Length, and click OK.
5 Switch to layout1. In the browser, right click LEVER(AV1:1) and select
Zoom to.
Note that the Lever shape is changed and the dimensions are updated.
Associative Hide
Mechanical structure is all about reuse, especially reuse of components in an
assembly to show multiple instances of a component and reuse of component
views in the assembly and in the part detail. Component view instances are
106 | Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure
often obscured in the assembly, sometimes the same view is even obscured
differently in different instances. This requires a mechanism to make a folder
or component view instance partially or fully hidden without effecting other
view instances. Use Associative hide (AMSHIDE) to do just that.
Basics of AMSHIDE
In the next exercise, you create a hide situation between two folders.
To create a hide situation
1 Open the file Tut_AMSHIDE.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains three instances of a folder, where two overlap each
other.
2 Start the Associative Hide command.
Toolbutton
Modify Associative Hide Create Associative
Hide Situation
Menu
AMSHIDE Command
Basics of AMSHIDE | 107
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select foreground objects:
Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and click the upper rectangle
(1)
Select foreground objects: Press ENTER
4 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, expand Level1 and Level2. Note
how Folder1 is selected for the foreground (Level1) and Folder2 is selected
for the background.
5 Click the Hide node on the tree in the dialog box.
6 Click the Hide Style button.
The hidden lines are set to invisible. The change is immediately reflected
in model space.
7 In the Name box, enter Test Hide.
8 To swap the foreground and background, select Level1 on the tree and
click the Send to Back button on the toolbar of the dialog box. Note that
the position of Level1 changes in the tree and model space reflects the
change immediately.
9 Click OK.
In the next exercise, you edit the hide situation and add the third folder
to the hide situation.
108 | Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure
To edit a hide situation
1 In the browser, expand the Hide Situations node, and select Test Hide.
Note that the entities involved in the hide are highlighted in model space.
2 Double-click Test Hide.
The Edit Hide situations dialog box is selected.
3 In Edit Hide Situation dialog box, click the button. Level3 is added
to the top of the tree.
4 Click the select objects button.
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects:
Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and click the rectangle on the
extreme right
Select objects: Press ENTER
6 Click OK.
7 Use the MOVE command to move the contents of Folder 1:3 on top of
Folder1:2 and Folder 1:3.
Basics of AMSHIDE | 109
Using AMSHIDE in Assemblies
In this section, you create a hide situation on an assembly and save it to the
appropriate position in the mechanical structure.
To open the sample files
Open the file Tut_Robot_Arm.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains an assembly of a robotic arm, and has external
references to the gripper assembly you created during the exercise for
external references.
To create a hide situation between the gripper and the axis of the robotic
arm
1 Start the Associative Hide command.
Toolbutton
Modify Associative Hide Create Associative
Hide Situation
Menu
AMSHIDE Command
110 | Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure
2 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Select foreground objects:
Continue clicking (1) until you see GRIPPER:2 (Front) in the tooltip
Select foreground objects: Press ENTER
3 In the message box that appears, click No.
4 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, expand Level2.
Note that the background selection includes two views, GRIPPER
PLATE1:(Front) and ROBOT:1 (Front). The GRIPPER PLATE:1 (Front)
should not be in the hide situation at all. The correct object for the
background should be AXIS:1 (Front) and not ROBOT:1, which is the
current selection. So, remove both objects selected for Level2 and do the
selection all over again.
5 In the tree of the Create Hide Situation dialog box, right click GRIPPER
PLATE:1 (Front) and select Remove.
6 Similarly remove ROBOT:1 (Front) from Level2.
NOTE You could have removed both component views at once by clicking
the Clear Selection button.
7 Click Level2 in the tree view and select the button.
8 Respond to the prompts as shown:
Select objects:
Continue clicking (2) until you see AXIS:1 (Front) in the tooltip
Select objects: Press ENTER
Using AMSHIDE in Assemblies | 111
9 In the tree view of the Create Hide Situations dialog box, click the Hide
node.
In the next step, you select where in the browser the hide situation is
stored. The most logical place to store the hide situation is on the Front
view of the ROBOT:1 assembly.
10 In the Store Hide Situation on list, select ROBOT:1 (Front).
11 Click OK. The Hide Situation is created and stored under ROBOT:1 (Front)
in the browser.
This is the end of the tutorial.
112 | Chapter 5 Using Mechanical Structure
Working with Layers and
Layer Groups
In this chapter In this tutorial, you learn more about the various commands
used for working with layers and layer groups in
AutoCAD

Mechanical.
Key Terms
Working with Layers and
Layer Groups
6
113
Key Terms
Definition Term
A layer made up of working layers and standard parts layers. Base layers are re-
peated in every layer group.
base layer
A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of
working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and
layer group
a complete component. The drawing and its overview is enhanced with a re-
duction in regeneration time.
The layer where the standard parts are put. All standard parts layers have the
suffix AM_*N.
part layers
The layer where you are working. working layer
Working with Layers and Layer Groups
Layers and their colors can be customized and renamed according to your
needs. In the Options dialog box, AM Standards tab, choose a standard. In
the list of related settings for your standard, double-click Layer/Objects. The
Layer/Objects dialog box is displayed. See customize layers in Help for further
information.
Layer 0 is a default layer and not a mechanical layer, because this layer
has special properties (by block). If you want to have these special properties
available, rename layer AM_0 to 0 in the Layer/Objects dialog box.
Because AutoCAD

always starts with Layer 0, we recommend that you

use template files, where layer AM_0 is always the starting layer.
If you move elements on layer 0 to other layer groups, you are asked if you
always want to move the elements on layer group layergroupname-AM_0.
114 | Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups
Getting Started
To open the initial drawing
1 Open the file tut_layers.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
2 Zoom in to the area of interest.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify first point (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify second point (2)
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Getting Started | 115
Changing Layers By Selecting Objects
First, you move the layer (and layer group) containing two objects to another
layer (and layer group) by selecting an object in the original layer (and layer
group).
To change a layer by selecting an object
1 Start the Move to another Layer command.
Toolbutton
Modify Properties Move to another Layer Menu
AMLAYMOVE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Specify the centerlines of the differential gear (1, 2)
Select objects: Press ENTER
Specify new layer using object, layer field or keyboard (RETURN
for dialog): Specify the engine centerline (3)
The centerlines of the differential gear are moved to the layer and layer
group of the engine centerline.
Save your file.
116 | Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups
Creating Layer Groups
Layer groups provide another way to structure assembly drawings. Use layer
groups to highlight single parts and lock and freeze whole parts. This gives
you a better overview of your assembly drawing.
First, you move a block to a layer group.
To move a block to a layer group
1 Start the Move to Another Group command.
Toolbutton
Modify Properties Move to another Layer
Group
Menu
AMLGMOVE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Specify the gear (1)
Select objects: Press ENTER
Specify new group using object or enter group name (Return for
dialog):
Press ENTER
3 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Create button, and create a
new layer group called Gear. Choose Apply, and then choose OK.
Creating Layer Groups | 117
4 In the Named Block dialog box, choose Yes All.
5 In the AutoCAD dialog box, choose Yes.
The complete block is moved to the layer group Gear.
Now, you create two new layer groups and move the parts (blocks) to
those groups.
To create a new layer group
1 Start the Layer Group Control command.
Toolbutton
Assist Layer/Layergroup Layer/Layer Group
Control
Menu
118 | Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups
AMLAYER Command
2 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Group Control tab,
and then choose Create.
3 Enter Coverplate for the layer group name, and then choose Apply.
4 Choose Create again, and then create a layer group called Bushing.
Choose OK.
5 Start the Move to Another Group command.
Toolbutton
Modify Properties Move to another Layer
Group.
Menu
AMLGMOVE Command
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Specify the coverplate (1)
Select objects: Press ENTER
Creating Layer Groups | 119
7 In the Layer Control dialog box, select the layer group Coverplate, and
then choose OK.
8 In the Named Block dialog box, choose Yes.
Now, move the bushing to the new Bushing layer group.
To move elements to another layer group
1 Start the Move to Another Group command.
120 | Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups
Toolbutton
Modify Properties Move to another Layer
Group
Menu
AMLGMOVE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Specify the bushing (1)
Select objects: Press ENTER
Specify new group using object or enter group name (Return for
dialog):
Press ENTER
3 In the Layer Control dialog box, select the layer group Bushing, and
choose OK.
Creating Layer Groups | 121
4 In the Name Block dialog box, choose Yes.
The coverplate and the bushing have been moved to their respective layer
groups.
Save your file.
Using Layer Groups to Copy Objects
Now, copy the objects of the layer group Shaft to a new drawing border.
To copy objects of a layer group
1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
2 Start the Visibility Enhancement command.
122 | Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups
Toolbutton
Assist Layer/Layergroup Visibility Enhance-
ment
Menu
AMLAYVISENH Command
3 In the Visibility Enhancement dialog box, specify:
Mode: Color all Inactive Layer Groups
4 Choose OK.
NOTE For a correct representation, you might need to start the REGEN
command.
5 Start the Layer Group Control command.
Toolbutton
Assist Layer Layergroup Layer/Layer Group
Control
Menu
AMLAYER Command
6 In the Layer Control dialog box, Layer Group Control tab, select the layer
group Shaft, and then choose the Current button.
NOTE You can activate the layer group Shaft with a double-click, too.
Using Layer Groups to Copy Objects | 123
Choose OK.
Copy the layer group Shaft to the second drawing border.
7 Start the Copy command, responding to the prompt.
Toolbutton
Modify Copy Layer Group Menu
AMCOPYLG Command
Enter layer group name or (?) <select object>:
Enter Shaft, press ENTER
Layer group "shaft" selected, 47 found.
Select objects: Press ENTER
Enter new layer group name or (?) <Group1>: Enter Shaft2, press ENTER
Specify base point or displacement:
Specify a point on the shaft
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as
displacement>: Specify another point in the drawing border on the right
124 | Chapter 6 Working with Layers and Layer Groups
The second drawing order looks like this:
This is the end of the tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
Using Layer Groups to Copy Objects | 125
126
Designing Levers
In this chapter In this tutorial, you start with a lever inserted from the parts
library, and then you refine the design using many of the Key Terms
Extending Designs
design options available in AutoCAD

Mechanical. You also

create a drawing detail and add dimensions to it.
7
127
Key Terms
Definition Term
Lines, which are infinite in both directions or rays, which are infinite starting at
a point that can be inserted into the drawing area. You use construction lines
construction lines
to transfer important points (for example, center points of holes) into other
views or drawing areas.
A line or an arc created with construction lines. Using construction geometry
in 2D drawings helps define the shape of a contour.
construction geometry
A portion of a design drawing that cannot be clearly displayed or dimensioned
in the overall representation but can be enlarged to show the details.
detail
To give the dimensions in a drawing a uniform appearance, Power Dimensioning
and Automatic Dimensioning enable automatic insertion of the dimension line
distance snap
at a defined distance from the object being dimensioned. While dragging the
dimension line dynamically, you will find that it remains fixed and is high-
lighted in red as soon as the required distance to the object being dimensioned
is reached.
A feature that makes it possible to store parts such as blocks and drawings in a
library. For every inserted part, an icon can be created. The icon is put in the
display section on the right side of the dialog box along with an assigned name.
library
A collective term for the Power Copy, Power Recall, Power Edit, Power Dimen-
sioning, Power Erase, and Power View commands.
power command
Power Dimensioning is a very useful tool for generating linear, radial and dia-
meter dimensions, which minimizes the number of the individual actions re-
Power Dimensioning
quired while generating a dimension. Power Dimensioning selects the type of
linear dimension (horizontal, vertical, or aligned), based on the selected point,
and the dimensions of the drawing can have a uniform style using the distance
snap.
128 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Extending Designs
First, you start a new drawing template with ISO standard. Then you load the
initial drawing using the Library.
To open a template
1 Open a new drawing.
Toolbutton
File New Menu
NEW Command
The Select template dialog box opens.
2 In the Select template dialog box, select the template am_iso.dwt.
This opens a new drawing template. Now you insert the drawing from
the library.
Using Libraries to Insert Parts
Insert the required part from the library.
To insert a drawing from the library
1 Start the Library.
Toolbutton
Insert Library Menu
AMLIBRARY Command
2 Double-click the tut_lever.dwg file in the Library.
Extending Designs | 129
3 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Specify any point in the drawing
4 Start the Zoom Window command, responding to the prompt.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
Specify first corner: Specify first corner (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify opposite corner (2)
130 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Save your file.
Before starting the design, define the object snaps that you will use in
later operations.
Configuring Snap Settings
In addition to the AutoCAD

snap, mechanical snap options like arc radial,

arc tangent, and so forth are available. You also have four different snap
settings, which can be configured separately for a quick switch to a different
snap setting. For example, you can use different snap settings for detailing or
general design.
NOTE The snap defaults can be set in the Options dialog box on the
AM:Preferences tab.
To configure Power Snap settings
1 Start the Power Snap settings.
Toolbutton
Configuring Snap Settings | 131
Assist Drafting Settings Osnap Settings Menu
AMPOWERSNAP Command
2 In the Power Snap Settings dialog box, specify:
Settings 1: Endpoint, Intersection
Settings 2: Endpoint, Center, Quadrant, Intersection, Parallel
Settings 3: Perpendicular
3 After configuring the settings, activate Setting 1, and then choose OK.
Save your file.
NOTE Within a command, the various object snap functions are also
accessible. Hold down the SHIFT key, and right-click.
Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines)
Construction lines are very useful when you start your design process. With
their help, you draw a design grid with your defined values for distance and
angles. After generating the design grid, you simply trace your contour with
the contour layer.
Now insert the construction lines, which will help you draw the contour lines.
132 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
To create construction lines
1 Start the Draw Construction Lines command.
Toolbutton
Design Construction Lines Draw Construc-
tion Lines
Menu
AMCONSTCRS Command
If you have started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines
dialog box opens. If you started the command directly using the toolbar
or the command line, you can skip step 2.
2 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Cross icon shown above.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point: Specify the intersection of line b and line c (1)
Specify insertion point: Press ENTER
4 Next, draw two lines parallel to the vertical and horizontal lines of the
construction line cross.
5 Start the Draw Construction Lines command.
Toolbutton
Design Construction Lines Draw Construc-
tion Lines
Menu
AMCONSTPAR Command
If you started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines
dialog box is displayed.
Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines) | 133
6 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Parallel with Full
Distance icon.
7 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select line, ray or xline: Select line c (1)
Specify insertion point or Distance (xx|xx|xx..) <10|20|30>:
Enter 3|9, press ENTER
Specify point on side to offset: Specify a point to the left of line c (2)
8 Insert the second set of parallel lines, and respond to the prompts as
follows:
Select line, ray or xline: Select line b
Specify insertion point or Distance (xx|xx|xx..) <3|9>:
Enter 4.5|9.5, press ENTER
Specify point on side to offset: Specify a point below line b (2)
9 Press ENTER.
134 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Save your file.
Creating additional C-Lines
AutoCAD Mechanical offers a choice of C-line options.
To create additional construction lines
1 Activate snap setting 2.
Toolbutton
Assist Drafting Settings Power Snap Config-
uration 2
Menu
AMPSNAP2 Command
2 Start the Draw Construction Lines command.
Toolbutton
Design Construction Lines Draw Construc-
tion Lines
Menu
AMCONSTHB Command
If you started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines
dialog box is displayed.
3 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Two Points or Angle
icon.
Creating additional C-Lines | 135
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first point: Select the first point (1)
Specify second point or Angle (xx|xx|xx..) <30|45|60>:
Move the cursor over line a and back to the rectangle until the Parallel symbol
appears, click (2)
5 Press ENTER to finish the command.
Now, you draw tangential circles between the diagonal C-line and the
right vertical line and lower horizontal line of the rectangle.
6 Start the Draw Construction Lines command.
Toolbutton
Design Construction Lines Draw Construc-
tion Lines
Menu
AMCONSTKR Command
136 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
If you started the command using the menu, the Construction Lines
dialog box is displayed.
7 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Circle Tangent to 2
Lines icon.
8 Draw the two circles by responding to the prompts as follows:
Select first tangent: Select tangent point (1)
Select second tangent: Select tangent point (2)
Specify diameter: Enter 2, press ENTER
Select first tangent: Select tangent point (3)
Select second tangent: Select tangent point (4)
Specify diameter <2>: Enter 2, press ENTER
9 Press ENTER to end the command.
All construction lines have been inserted, and the contour can be
generated.
Creating additional C-Lines | 137
Save your file.
Creating Contours and Applying Fillets
Now, you connect the two tangential circles with the right part of the rectangle,
to build a filleted triangle.
To create and edit a contour
1 Start the Polyline command.
Toolbutton
Design Polyline Menu
PLINE Command
2 Create the contour by responding to the prompts as follows:
Specify start point: Specify the intersection point (1)
Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Specify next point (2)
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Enter A, pressENTER
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Specify next point (3)
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Enter L, press ENTER
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Specify next point (4)
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Enter A, press ENTER
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Specify next point (5)
138 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Enter CL, press ENTER
Now, erase the C-Lines. You can erase all C-lines by calling one command.
3 Erase all C-Lines.
Toolbutton
Modify Erase Erase all Construction Lines Menu
AMERASEALLCL Command
NOTE You can switch construction lines on and off temporarily by choosing
Assist Layer/Layergroup Construction Line On/Off.
4 Apply a fillet to the corner of the triangle.
Toolbutton
Modify Fillet Menu
AMFILLET2D Command
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 2.5
Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension] <Setup>:
Press ENTER
6 In the Fillet Radius dialog box, specify:
Input: 1
Trim Mode: On
Creating Contours and Applying Fillets | 139
Choose OK.
7 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 1
Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension] <Setup>:
Enter P , press ENTER
Select polyline: Select a point on the polyline near the corner
8 Press ESC to cancel the command.
The triangular contour is complete.
Save your file.
Trimming Projecting Edges on Contours
Now, you create another part of the contour and trim projecting edges.
To edit a contour
1 Activate Power Snap Setting 3 command.
140 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Toolbutton
Assist Drafting Settings Power Snap Config-
uration 3
Menu
AMPSNAP3 Command
Next, insert the next contour.
2 Start the Line command.
Toolbutton
Design Line Menu
LINE Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first point: Hold down SHIFT as you right-click, choose Intersection
_int of: Select line a (1)
and: Select intersection on line b (2)
Specify next point or [Undo]: Hold down SHIFT as you right-click, choose
Perpendicular, trace over line e, click the perpendicular point (3)
Specify next point or [Undo]:
Drag the cursor to the right, crossing over line c, and select intersection point
(4)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: Press ENTER
Now, trim the projecting edges at the upper edge of the lever.
4 Start the Trim command.
Trimming Projecting Edges on Contours | 141
Toolbutton
Modify Trim Menu
TRIM Command
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Current settings: Projection = UCS, Edge = None
Select cutting edges:
Select Objects: Select cutting edge (1)
Select Objects: Select cutting edge (2)
Select Objects: Press ENTER
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or
[Project/Edge/Undo]: Select object to trim (3)
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or
[Project/Edge/Undo]: Select object to trim (4)
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or
[Project/Edge/Undo]: Press ENTER
6 Zoom to the extents of the lever.
The contour is complete and looks like this. Save your file.
142 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Applying Hatch Patterns to Contours
There are a number of predefined hatch patterns available in AutoCAD
Mechanical. Choose one of the predefined hatching styles, and then specify
a point within a contour to apply the hatching.
To apply hatching to a contour
1 Start the Hatch command, using an angle of 45 degrees and 2.5 mm /
0.1 inch spacing.
Toolbutton
Design Hatch Hatch 45 deg. 2.5mm/0.1 inch Menu
AMHATCH_45_2 Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select additional boundary or point in area to be hatched or
[Select objects]: Click a point inside the contour (outside the cutouts)
The lever is hatched. It looks like this:
Applying Hatch Patterns to Contours | 143
Save your file.
Dimensioning Contours
Now, dimension the lever, using the Power Dimensioning command.
To dimension a contour
1 Start the Power Snap Setting 1 command.
Toolbutton
Assist Drafting Settings Power Snap Config-
uration 1
Menu
AMPSNAP1 Command
2 Start the Power Dimensioning command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
144 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin or
[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>:
Select the first corner point of the lever opening (1)
Specify second extension line origin:
Select the second corner point (2)
Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:
Drag the dimension line to the left until it is highlighted in red, click (3)
4 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click the Add Tolerance icon and
specify:
Deviation: Upper: 0.1
Deviation: Lower: 0
Precision: Primary: 1
Choose OK.
5 Press ENTER twice to finish the command.
The lever looks like this:
Dimensioning Contours | 145
Save your file.
Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views
Now, define a detail of the upper part of the lever.
To create a detail
1 Start the Detail command.
Toolbutton
Design Detail Menu
AMDETAIL Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Center of circle or [Rectangle/Object]:
Click a point in the center of the area to be detailed (1)
Specify radius or [Diameter]:
Drag the radius to the appropriate size, click (2)
146 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
3 In the Detail dialog box, specify:
Detail View: Detail in Current Space
4 Choose OK, and respond to the prompts as follows:
Place the detail view: Select a location to the right of the lever
NOTE Some entities such as dimensions and symbols are automatically filtered
out in the detail function.
Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views | 147
Now, add a dimension to the detail.
5 Start the Power Dimensioning command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin
or[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Press ENTER
Select arc, line, circle or dimension: Select the radius (1)
148 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
7 Select an appropriate position for the dimension.
8 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click the tolerances button to
deactivate the tolerances.
Choose OK.
9 Press ENTER twice to finish the command.
Now, your lever looks like this:
Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views | 149
The Power Dimensioning command recognizes the different scale area.
If you dimensioned the radius in the original drawing, the dimension
value would be the same. The text height is also the same, as related to
the standard.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
150 | Chapter 7 Designing Levers
Working with Model
Space and Layouts
In this chapter In this tutorial, you work with layouts in
AutoCAD

Mechanical, to create scale areas, viewports, and

Key Terms
Working with Model Space
and Layouts
detail views in model space. You learn how to freeze objects
in viewports without affecting the model and other layouts.
8
151
Key Terms
Definition Term
A layer made up of working layers and standard parts layers. Base layers are re-
peated in every layer group.
base layer
Enlargement of a portion of the design drawing that cannot be clearly displayed
or dimensioned. The overall representation (surface texture symbols, etc.) can
be enlarged.
detail
A layout of drawing views in model space or layout. drawing
A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of
working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and
layer group
a complete component. The drawing and its overview are enhanced by reduction
in regeneration time.
The tabbed environment in which you create and design floating viewports to
be plotted. Multiple layouts can be created for each drawing.
layout
A command useful for generating linear, radial, and diameter dimensions, which
minimizes the number of the individual actions while generating a dimension.
Power Dimensioning
Power Dimensioning automatically selects the type of the linear dimension
(horizontal, vertical, aligned), based on the selected point.
Defines the scale for an area of the drawing. scale area
A function to view and control the scale for any scale area. scale monitor
A scaled view of the model defined in a layout. viewport
The scale of a base drawing relative to the model scale. Also, the scale of de-
pendent views relative to the base view.
view scale
The layer where you are currently working. working layer
152 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Working with Model Space and Layouts
Using model space and layouts, you can create different views with different
scales from the same model. The main advantage of working with layouts is
that views are associative. If you make changes in one viewport, those changes
are made in all other viewports as well, since each viewport is another view
of the same model. You can also freeze objects in a new viewport without
affecting objects in other views.
Getting Started
In this tutorial, you work with viewports. You generate an associative detail
and create a subassembly drawing.
To open a file
Open the file tut_engine.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains parts of a four-stroke engine.
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Creating Scale Areas
To generate correct views with correct zoom factors in a layout, you must
define a scale area in model space.
Create the scale area.
To create a scale area
1 Start the Viewport/Scale Area command.
Toolbutton
View Viewports Viewport/Scale Area Menu
Working with Model Space and Layouts | 153
AMSCAREA Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Define the border....
Specify first point or [Circle/Object]:
Specify the first corner point (1)
Specify second point: Specify the second corner point (2)
3 In the Scale Area dialog box, specify:
Scale: 1:1
154 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Choose OK.
Since you now have a defined scale area, you can automatically create a
viewport.
To create a viewport automatically
1 Start the Viewport Auto Create command.
Toolbutton
View Viewports Viewport Auto Create Menu
AMVPORTAUTO Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter layout name (<Return> for Layout1): Press ENTER
Select target position (<Return> for current position):
Place the viewport on the left, inside the drawing border
Creating Scale Areas | 155
Save your file.
Creating Detail Views
There are two types of detail views; associative and non associative. In this
exercise, you create an associative detail, because you use a viewport.
Create an associative detail of the valve.
To create a detail
1 Start the Detail command.
Toolbutton
Design Detail Menu
AMDETAIL Command
The viewport is activated automatically.
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Define the enlargement area for the detail ...
Center of circle or [Rectangle/Object]:
Select the center of the detail (3)
156 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Specify radius or [Diameter]: Drag the radius to the desired size (4)
3 In the Detail dialog box, specify the settings shown in the illustration.
Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select target position (<Return> for current position):
Place the detail to the right of the current viewport
Creating Detail Views | 157
Save your file.
Generating New Viewports
Now, you create a viewport inside a layout.
To create a viewport in the layout
1 Start the Viewport/Scale Area command.
Toolbutton
View Viewports Viewport/Scale Area Menu
AMVPORT Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first point or [Circle/Border/Object]:
Select point 5 in the drawing
Specify second point: Select point 6 in the drawing
3 In the View dialog box, specify:
158 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Scale: 5:1
Choose Midpoint.
The drawing is changed to model space so that you can define the
midpoint.
4 Respond to the prompt:
Select view center: Select the endpoint of the centerline
5 In the View dialog box, choose OK.
Your drawing looks like this:
Generating New Viewports | 159
Save your file.
Inserting Holes Within Viewports
To demonstrate the main advantage of working with layouts, insert a hole in
the housing. When you make this change, it is immediately displayed in every
view.
Insert a user through hole in the previously created viewport.
To insert a through hole
1 Activate the previously created viewport.
Toolbutton
MSPACE Command
The viewport has a thick (highlighted) frame.
2 Start the Through Hole command.
160 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Toolbutton
Content Holes Through Holes Menu
AMTHOLE2D Command
3 In the Select a Through Hole dialog box, scroll to and select User Through
Holes, and then click Front View.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point:
Hold down the SHIFT key and right-click, and then choose Midpoint
5 Specify insertion point: _mid of Select the midpoint of the housing (1)
Specify hole length: Select the endpoint of the hole (2)
Inserting Holes Within Viewports | 161
6 In the User Through Holes - Nominal Diameter dialog box, specify:
Nominal Diameter: 8
Choose Finish.
The user through hole is inserted into your drawing.
The drawing looks like this:
162 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Because of the associativity, the through hole created in the viewport
also appears in the original view.
In the next step, you dimension the through hole diameter in the
viewport. Since the dimension is to appear only in the detail view, you
generate the dimension directly in the layout without having a viewport
active.
To apply a dimension in the layout
1 Change to the layout.
Toolbutton
PSPACE Command
2 Start the Power Dimensioning command
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin for
[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <Select>:
Select the first edge of the hole (1)
Specify second extension line origin:
Select the second edge of the hole (2)
Inserting Holes Within Viewports | 163
Specify dimension line location [Options/Pickobj]:
Drag the dimension line toward point 3 until it turns red, and then click
4 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, choose OK.
5 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows:
(SINGLE) Specify first extension line origin or
[Angular/Options/Baseline/ Chain/Update] <Select>: Press ENTER
Select arc, line, circle or dimension: Press ENTER
The viewport looks like this:
164 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
NOTE You can also dimension the hole in model space and turn off the layer
of one specific viewport. In that case, the dimension text is correct only in
the 1:1 viewport, and not in the detail view. Therefore, you can dimension
directly on the layout.
Save your file.
Creating Subassemblies in New Layouts
If you use layer groups in your assembly drawing, you can create detail and
subassembly drawings in layouts. You can switch off selected layer groups in
a viewport so that only the detail or subassembly is visible.
Before you create a subassembly in a new layout, freeze the model and other
views. Then when you create a new viewport in Layout 2, only the specified
subassembly is displayed, and objects are not hidden in the model and other
views.
To freeze the model and other layouts
1 Select the Layout 2 tab on the bottom of your drawing area. Layout 2 is
displayed.
2 Start the Layer Group Control.
Toolbutton
Assist Layer/Layergroup Layer/Layer Group
Control
Menu
Creating Subassemblies in New Layouts | 165
AMLAYER Command
3 In the Layer Control dialog box, Layer Group Control tab, click the icon
in the Base Layer Group row, Freeze/Thaw in new viewports column to
freeze it.
Choose OK.
Create an associative view of a subassembly in layout 2.
To create an associative view of a subassembly
1 Select the Layout 2 tab on the bottom of your drawing area. Layout 2 is
displayed.
2 Start the Viewport/Scale Area command.
Toolbutton
View Viewports Viewport/Scale Area Menu
AMVPORT Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
166 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Specify first point or [Circle/Border/Object]:
Select point 7 in the drawing
Specify second point: Select point 8 in the drawing
4 In the View dialog box, specify:
Scale: 5:1
Choose Midpoint.
The drawing is changed to model space.
5 Specify the point, as shown in the following drawing:
6 In the View dialog box, choose OK.
Creating Subassemblies in New Layouts | 167
In the new viewport, only the subassembly you specified is visible.
AutoCAD Mechanical freezes the Base Layer Group.
Your drawing looks like this:
Finish your detail drawing with text, remarks, annotations, and so on.
NOTE When you plot the drawing, the red viewport frame is turned off
automatically. If you have a plotter or printer driver installed, use the plot
command, and preview the drawing.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
168 | Chapter 8 Working with Model Space and Layouts
Dimensioning
In this chapter In this tutorial, you learn how to add dimensions to your
drawing with the automatic dimensioning in AutoCAD

Key Terms
Adding Dimensions to
Drawings
Mechanical, change the dimensions with Power Commands,
and insert a drawing border.
9
169
Key Terms
Definition Term
A dimension that is aligned to extension lines and read from the bottom or
right side of the drawing.
baseline dimension
Line in the center of a symmetrical object. centerline
A standardized frame that is used for technical drawings. drawing border
Range of tightness or looseness in mating parts (for example shafts or holes).
Tolerances in these dimensions are expressed in standard form.
fit
Name of the selected fit (for example, H7). fit name
An option where you determine a selection set of dimensions and edit them
together.
multi edit
Power Dimensioning is a tool for generating linear, radial, angular, and diameter
dimensions, which minimizes the number of the individual actions required
Power Dimensioning
while generating a dimension. Power Dimensioning selects the type of linear
dimension (horizontal, vertical, or aligned), based on the selected point, and
the dimensions of the drawing can have a uniform style using the distance snap.
Command for deleting. Use Power Erase when you delete part reference numbers
or dimensions that were created with Power Dimensioning and Automatic Di-
mensioning.
Power Erase
A title block contains a series of attributes. Some already have values. The pre-
assigned values can be modified, and the vacant attributes can be completed
with new values.
title block
The total amount by which a given dimension (nominal size) may vary (for ex-
ample, 20 0.1).
tolerance
170 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Adding Dimensions to Drawings
AutoCAD Mechanical offers various dimensioning tools. Use automatic
dimensioning to add dimensions to a bushing, and then change these
dimensions.
To open a file
Open the file tut_bushing.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The file contains a drawing of a bushing.
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Adding Automatic Dimensions
Dimension the bushing using automatic dimensioning.
To dimension a contour automatically
1 Start Automatic Dimensioning.
Toolbutton
Annotate Automatic Dimension Menu
AMAUTODIM Command
Adding Dimensions to Drawings | 171
2 In the Automatic Dimensioning dialog box, Parallel tab, specify:
Type: Baseline
Choose OK.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects [Block]:
Select the complete bushing by creating a window around it
Select objects [Block]: Press ENTER
First extension line origin:
Select the lower leftmost corner of the bushing (1)
Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:
Drag the dimensioning downwards until it snaps in (highlighted red), and then
click
172 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Starting point for next extension line: Press ENTER to end the command
Generate the diameter dimensions using shaft dimensioning.
To dimension a shaft
1 Start Automatic Dimensioning.
Toolbutton
Annotate Automatic Dimension Menu
AMAUTODIM Command
2 In the Automatic Dimensioning dialog box, Shaft/Symmetric tab, specify:
Type: Shaft (Front View)
Choose OK.
Adding Automatic Dimensions | 173
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects [Block]:
Select the complete bushing by creating a window around it
Select objects [Block]: Press ENTER
Select Centerline or new starting point:
Select the centerline of the bushing (1)
Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:
Drag the dimensioning tothe right until it snaps in (highlighted red), and then
click
4 Continue responding to the prompt:
Starting point for next extension line:
174 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Press ENTER to end the command
Your drawing looks like this.
Save your file.
Editing Dimensions with Power Commands
Some dimensions in the drawing are not necessary. In the next step, you delete
the dimensions that you don't need.
To delete dimensions
1 Start Power Erase.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Erase Menu
AMPOWERERASE Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select objects:
Select baseline dimensions 2 and 61, and diameter dimensions 12, 14, and 36,
press ENTER
The dimensions are deleted, and the remaining dimensions are rearranged.
Your drawing looks like this:
Editing Dimensions with Power Commands | 175
Add a single dimension with a fit using Power Dimensioning.
To add a dimension with a fit
1 Start Power Dimensioning.
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(Single) Specify first extension line origin or
[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>:
Select the first point (1)
Specify second extension line origin: Select second point (2)
Specify dimension line location or [Options/Pickobj]:
Drag the dimensioning to the left until it is highlighted red, and then click
176 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, choose the Add Fit button
, and then specify:
Fit: Symbol: H7
4 Click the Special Characters button, and then select the diameter symbol
(upper left).
Choose OK.
Apply angular dimensioning.
To apply an angular dimension
1 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(Single) Specify first extension line origin or
[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <Select>:
Enter A, press ENTER
Editing Dimensions with Power Commands | 177
(Single) Select arc, circle, line or
[Linear/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <specify vertex>:
Select the line (1)
Select second line: Select the second line (2)
Specify dimension arc line location:
Drag the dimension to a suitable position, and then click
2 Press ENTER twice to finish the command.
Add a fit to the shaft dimensions using Multi Edit.
To add a fit using Multi Edit
1 Start Multi Edit.
Toolbutton
Annotate Edit Dimensions Multi Edit Menu
AMDIMMEDIT Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select dimensions: Select the dimensions 18 and 30
Select dimensions: Press ENTER
3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, choose the Add Fit button
, and then specify:
Fit: Symbol: h7
178 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Choose OK.
The fit description h7 is added to the dimensions.
Save your file.
Breaking Dimension Lines
The automatic dimensioning process created intersecting dimension lines.
The drawing appearance can be improved by breaking these lines.
To break dimension lines
1 Start the Break Dimension command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Edit Dimensions Break Dimension Menu
AMDIMBREAK Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select dimension or extension line to break <Multiple>:
Press ENTER
Select dimensions:
Select baseline dimension 10 and 13, and diameter dimensions 18, 30, and
40, press ENTER
Select Objects [Restore] <Automatic>: Press ENTER
Breaking Dimension Lines | 179
The selected dimensions are broken automatically and your drawing
looks like this:
Save your file.
Inserting Drawing Borders
Insert a drawing border.
To insert a drawing border
1 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Drawing Title/Revisions Drawing
Title/Borders
Menu
AMTITLE Command
2 In the Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box, specify:
Paper Format: A4 (297x210mm)
Title Block: ISO Title Block A
Scale: 1:1
180 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Choose OK.
3 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Enter -150,0, press ENTER
4 In the Edit Attributes dialog box, specify:
Drawing Title: Bushing
Choose OK.
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Inserting Drawing Borders | 181
Select Objects: Select the complete bushing including dimensions
Select Objects: Press ENTER
New location for objects: Click Zoom Extents
New location for objects:
Place the bushing in the middle of the drawing border
Your drawing looks like this:
Save your file.
Inserting Fits Lists
Insert a fits list. Fits lists describe all fits existing in a drawing.
To insert a fits list
1 Start the Fits List command.
182 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Toolbutton
Annotate Fits List Menu
AMFITSLIST Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Fits lists [Update all/Order/New] <New>: Press ENTER
Specify insertion point: Specify the upper right corner of the title block
The fits list is inserted above the title block, and looks like this.
Edit a dimension with a fit. The fits list is updated.
To edit a dimension
1 In the drawing, double-click the diameter dimension (not the dimension
line) 18 h7.
2 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, specify:
Fit symbol: g6
Inserting Fits Lists | 183
Choose OK.
3 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose Yes.
The fits list is updated, too. Save your file.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
184 | Chapter 9 Dimensioning
Working with 2D Hide
and 2D Steel Shapes
In this chapter In this tutorial, you learn about the features in
AutoCAD

Mechanical for defining 2D hide situations, and

how to work with 2D steel shapes.
Key Terms
Working with 2D Hide and
2D Steel Shapes
10
185
Key Terms
Definition Term
A contour that is covered by another contour or by objects that are lying behind
another contour, in the 3D sense. A background may be a foreground for an
additional contour.
background
Objects which are lying in front of another contour, in the 3D sense. A fore-
ground may also be a background for an additional contour.
foreground
Line that is not visible in a specified view. For example, in a front view, lines
behind the front plane are not visible.
hidden line
Steel shapes are standardized steel geometries and profiles that are used for
steel and plant construction.
steel shapes
Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
Use the AM2DHIDE command when mechanical structure is not enabled. Use
AMSHIDE when mechanical structure is enabled. For this exercise you work
with AM2DHIDE.
Before you begin this tutorial...
This tutorial requires the mechanical browser. If the mechanical browser is
not visible:
1 Enter AMBROWSER in the command prompt and press ENTER.
2 When prompted, enter ON and press ENTER.
Opening the initial drawing
To open a drawing
1 Open the file tut_steelshape.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
186 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
2 Zoom in to the chain drive on the right.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
Defining 2D Hide Situations
Define a 2D hide situation. You can define foreground and background
contours and the settings for the representation of the hidden objects.
To define a 2D hide situation
1 Start the Hide Invisible Edges command.
Menu Modify 2D Hide Hide Invisible Edges
Defining 2D Hide Situations | 187
AM2DHIDE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects for foreground: Select the chain
Select objects for foreground: Press ENTER
3 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, Background tab, specify:
Representation of Hidden Objects: Dashed
Choose Preview.
NOTE As you can see, the parts of the sprockets that should be visible appear
as hidden lines. This shows that the complete area inside the outer chain
contour is defined as foreground.
Define the 2D hide situation in a way that the chain has an inner contour.
4 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>:
Enter N, press ENTER
5 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, Foreground tab, choose Select
Inner Contours.
188 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
6 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select point inside a hole or select a loop to remove:
Select a point inside the chain (1)
The inner contour of the chain is displayed green.
7 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select point inside a hole or select a loop to remove: Press ESC
8 In the Create Hide Situation dialog, choose Preview.
The sprocket is no longer displayed as a hidden line and the chain drive
is displayed correctly.
Defining 2D Hide Situations | 189
9 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>: Press ENTER
The 2D hide situation is defined correctly, and you can proceed with
your drawing.
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Inserting 2D Steel Shapes
Steel Shapes can easily be inserted through a selection dialog box, where you
can define the standard, profile, size, and length of the steel shape.
Insert a steel shape with a square hollow section on the left edge of the I-shaped
girder.
To insert a 2D steel shape
1 Start the Zoom All command.
Toolbutton
View Zoom All Menu
ZOOM Command
190 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
2 Start the Steel Shape command.
Toolbutton
Content Steel Shapes Menu
AMSTLSHAP2D Command
3 In the Select a Steel Shape dialog box, select Steel Shapes
Square/Rectangular Hollow Section, and then select ISO 657/14-1982
(Rectangular) and Top View.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select point P1
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
5 In the ISO 657/14 - 1982 (Rectangular) - Size Selection dialog box, specify:
Select a Size: 90x90x4.0
Inserting 2D Steel Shapes | 191
Choose Finish.
6 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Drag Size: Select point P2
The steel shape is inserted. Your drawing looks like this:
Save the file.
Modify the steel shapes using the Power Commands.
192 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
Modifying Steel Shapes Using Power Commands
With the Power Commands, you can create different views of the steel shapes.
You can copy, multiply, or edit the steel shapes.
Insert the steel shapes in the top view of the assembly using Power View and
Power Copy.
To modify a steel shape using a Power Command
1 Start the Power View command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power View Menu
AMPOWERVIEW Command
2 Select the previously inserted steel shape.
3 In the Select new view dialog box, select the Front View.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select point P3
Specify rotation angle <0>: 0, press ENTER
The steel shape is inserted in the top view of the assembly. Your drawing
looks like this:
Copy the previously inserted view to the other edge of the girder.
5 Start the Power Copy command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Copy Menu
Modifying Steel Shapes Using Power Commands | 193
AMPOWERCOPY Command
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object: Select the previously inserted steel shape at point P3
Enter an option [Next/Accept]<Accept>: Press ENTER
Specify insertion point: Select point P4
Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER
The steel shape is copied. Your drawing looks like this:
Save your file.
Editing 2D Hide Situations
The insertion of the steel shapes in the top view of the assembly created a 2D
hide situation automatically. This 2D hide situation is not correct. Use the
command AM2DHIDEDIT when mechanical structure is disabled.
Edit the 2D hide situation.
To edit a 2D hide situation
1 Start the Edit Hidden Edges command.
Menu Modify 2D Hide Edit Hidden Edges
AM2DHIDEDIT Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Edit the behind situation [modifY/Move/Restore/Genius12]
<Update>: Enter Y, press ENTER
Select objects: Select the square hollow section on the left
Select objects: Press ENTER
3 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog box, Foreground tab, choose Select
View.
194 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects for foreground: Select the I-shaped girder
Select objects for foreground:
Press SHIFT while you click the square hollow section on the left to deselect it
Select objects for foreground: Press ENTER
5 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog box, Background tab, choose Select
View.
Editing 2D Hide Situations | 195
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects for background:
Select the square hollow section on the left
Select objects for background:
Select the square hollow section on the right
Select objects for background: Press ENTER
7 In the Modify Hide Situation dialog box, click Preview.
Your drawing looks like this:
8 Respond to the prompts:
Accept preview and exit command [Yes/No] <Yes>: Press ENTER
Edit the behind situation [modifY/Move/Restore/Genius12]
<Update>: Press ENTER
Select objects: Press ENTER
The 2D hide situation is corrected.
Save your file.
Copying and Moving 2D Hide Situations
If you copy or move assemblies that contain 2D hide situations, the 2D hide
information is not lost.
Copy the girder assembly.
To copy a 2D hide situation
1 Select the I-shaped girder and the two square hollow sections.
2 Right-click the graphics area background, and then choose Copy with
Base Point.
Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify base point: Select point P3
196 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
3 Right-click, and then choose Paste.
Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select point P5
The girder assembly is copied to the new location. Your drawing looks
like this.
Save your file.
Move the chain drive from the beginning of the chapter to the top view
of the assembly.
To move a 2D hide situation
1 Start the Move command.
Toolbutton
Modify Move Menu
MOVE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Select the complete chain drive using a window
Select objects: Press ENTER
Specify base point or displacement: Select point P6
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as
displacement>: Select point P7
Copying and Moving 2D Hide Situations | 197
The complete chain drive is moved to the top view of the assembly. Your
drawing looks like this:
Define the 2D hide situation for the girder assembly and the chain drive.
To define a 2D hide situation
1 Start the Hide Invisible Edges command.
Menu Modify 2D Hide Hide Invisible Edges
AM2DHIDE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects for foreground: Select the complete chain drive
Select objects for foreground: Press ENTER
3 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, choose OK.
198 | Chapter 10 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes
Now, the girder assembly is hidden by the chain drive. Your drawing
looks like this:
This is the end of this exercise.
Save your file.
Copying and Moving 2D Hide Situations | 199
200
Working with Standard
Parts
In this chapter In this tutorial, you learn to work with standard parts in
AutoCAD

Mechanical. You insert a screw connection, a hole,

Key Terms
Working with Standard
Parts
and a pin. You also edit the standard parts with power
commands. You work with mechanical structure enabled, and
see how the standard parts you insert in the drawing are added
to the mechanical browser.
11
201
Key Terms
Definition Term
A contour that is covered by another contour or by objects that are lying behind
another contour, in the 3D sense. A background may be a foreground for an
additional contour.
background
A line that is infinite in both directions or infinite starting at a point which can
be inserted into the drawing area. You use C-lines to transfer important points
(for example, center points of holes) into other views or drawing areas.
C-line (construction
line)
A chamfered hole that allows bolt and screw heads to be flush or below the
part surface.
countersink
The act of determining the size of a standard part with the cursor while inserting
it into a side view. The standard part is displayed dynamically on the screen and
dynamic dragging
can be dragged to the next possible size or length. The values (sizes) are taken
from the Standard parts database.
Summary term for Power Copy, Power Recall, Power Edit, Power Dimensioning,
Power Erase and Power View.
Power Command
A command that copies a drawing object to another position in the drawing.
Power Copy produces an identical copy of the original object.
Power Copy
An edit command for all objects in your drawing. Power Edit
A command for intelligent deleting. Use Power Erase when you delete part ref-
erence numbers or when you delete dimensions that have been created with
Power Dimensioning and Automatic Dimensioning.
Power Erase
A command that lets you click an existing drawing object and places you in the
correct command for creating that object.
Power Recall
A command where you can quickly and easily create a standard part top view
or bottom view of a side view and vice versa.
Power View
202 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Definition Term
Standard parts representation in a drawing in normal, simplified, or symbolic
mode.
representation
Working with Standard Parts
AutoCAD Mechanical provides a large selection of standard parts to work with,
including regular and fine threads, many types of holes, fasteners, and other
standard parts. You can insert complete screw connections (screws with holes
and nuts) in one step. Some intelligence is built into this process. For example,
if you select a screw with a metric thread, you get only metric threads when
you add any additional parts such as tapped holes or nuts.
NOTE It is required that the ISO standard parts be installed for this tutorial exercise.
When standard parts are placed in a drawing, they are automatically included
in mechanical structure, whether or not the assembly drawing is structured.
Open the initial drawing.
To open a drawing
1 Open the file tut_std_pts.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains a motor with a gearbox. Some construction lines
are inserted to help you work through the tutorial exercise. The gearbox
is not completed yet. We want to add standard components and show
how easy it is to edit standard parts with an automatic update of the
background objects.
Before you proceed, you must enable mechanical structure. If you proceed
without mechanical structure enabled, some command line prompts will
differ from the prompts in the exercise.
2 On the status bar, click the STRUCT button to latch it down.
Working with Standard Parts | 203
3 If the mechanical browser is not visible:
a In the command line, enter AMBROWSER.
b When prompted, enter ON.
4 Zoom in to the area of interest.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify the first corner point (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify the second corner point (2)
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
204 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Inserting Screw Connections
Insert a screw connection in the differential gear housing.
To insert a screw connection
1 Start the Screw Connection command.
Toolbutton
Content Screw Connection Menu
AMSCREWCON2D Command
2 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the Screws button.
3 In the Select a Screw dialog box, select Socket Head Types.
Inserting Screw Connections | 205
4 Select ISO 4762 and Front View.
206 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
You are returned to the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box.
5 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, choose the upper Holes
button. Then select Through Cylindrical, and ISO 273 normal.
6 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, choose the lower Holes
button. Then select Tapped Holes, Blind, and ISO 262 (Regular Thread).
NOTE The screw types available and the order depend on the standard
selected to be active in AMOPTIONS, AM:Standard Parts.
7 In the Screw Connection dialog box, specify the size M4.
Inserting Screw Connections | 207
Choose Next.
8 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point of first hole: Specify first point (1)
Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]:
Specify second point (2)
208 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
9 In the Screw Assembly Representation - Front View dialog box, choose
Next.
10 In the Screw Assembly Grip Representation - Front View dialog box,
choose Finish.
Inserting Screw Connections | 209
11 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Drag Size:
Drag the screw connection dynamically to size M4 x 16, and then click
Drag Size: Enter 12, press ENTER.
The screw connection is inserted with a specified a screw length of 16
mm and a blind hole depth of 12 mm.
NOTE During dragging, the size of the screw is shown as a tooltip and in
the status bar, where the coordinates are usually displayed.
The background is automatically hidden, and your drawing looks like
this:
210 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Save your file.
Copying Screw Connections with Power Copy
With Power Copy, you can copy complete objects, including the information
attached to those objects. In the case of a screw connection, you copy the
whole screw connection to another location. The background is automatically
updated.
Copy the new screw connection using the Power Copy command.
To copy a screw connection
1 Start the Power Copy command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Copy Menu
AMPOWERCOPY Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object: Select the previously inserted screw
Specify insertion point: Specify a point (1)
Specify direction: Press ENTER
Copying Screw Connections with Power Copy | 211
The screw is copied to the specified location. Your drawing looks like
this:
The standard parts you inserted are listed in the browser. If you start with
a structured assembly drawing, the standard parts are automatically
structured within the subassembly where they are inserted.
212 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Save your file.
Creating Screw Templates
Create a screw template and store it for repeated use. This makes the insertion
of identical or similar screw connections much faster.
Before you create and insert the screw template, zoom to the cover plate.
To zoom to a window
1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
2 Zoom in to the coverplate.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Creating Screw Templates | 213
Specify first corner: Specify first corner point (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify second corner point (2)
Start the screw connection and create a screw template.
To create a screw template
1 Start the Screw Connection command.
Toolbutton
Content Screw Connection Menu
AMSCREWCON2D Command
2 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the Screws button.
214 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
3 In the Select a Screw dialog box, select Countersink Head Type.
Creating Screw Templates | 215
4 Select ISO 10642, and Front View.
216 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
5 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, choose the upper Holes
button. Then select Countersinks, and ISO 7721.
6 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, choose the lower Holes
button. Then select Tapped Holes, Blind, and ISO 262.
7 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, choose Back to store
the screw template.
Creating Screw Templates | 217
8 In the Screw Assembly Templates dialog box, choose the Save icon. Your
screw connection is stored as a template and is added to the list.
Choose Next.
218 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
NOTE The screw template contains the combination of the used standard
parts. It contains no sizes, like diameters or lengths.
9 In the Screw Connection dialog box, choose the Pre-calculation icon.
10 In the Screw Diameter Estimation dialog box, specify:
Material Class: 10.9
Applied Force: 1500
Nature of Load: Static and Centric applied Axial Force (upper-left icon)
Method for Tightening Screw: Mechanical Screw Driver
Creating Screw Templates | 219
The Result field displays a nominal diameter size of M4. Choose OK.
11 In the Screw Connection - Front View dialog box, the precalculation
routine has marked M4.
Choose Next.
220 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
12 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point of first hole: Specify first point (1)
Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]:
Specify second point (2)
13 In the Screw Assembly Location - Front View dialog box, choose Next.
14 In the Screw Assembly Grip Representation - Front View dialog box,
choose Finish.
15 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Drag Size:
Drag screw connection dynamically to size M4 x 12, and then click
Drag Size: Enter 8, press ENTER
The screw connection is inserted with a screw length of 12 mm and a
blind hole depth of 8 mm.
Your drawing looks like this:
Creating Screw Templates | 221
The screw connection is added to the list in the mechanical browser.
Save your file.
Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit
Rather than use different editing commands for different objects, you can use
only one command, Power Edit, for editing all objects in a drawing with
built-in intelligence. When you use Power Edit on a screw connection, the
whole assembly can be edited and is updated in your drawing with an
automatic background update.
Change the screw connections to the appropriate length.
To edit a screw connection that is not yet structured
1 Start the Power Edit command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Edit Menu
AMPOWEREDIT Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
222 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Select object: Select the lower screw of the coverplate
NOTE You can also start Power Edit by double-clicking the desired part.
3 In the AutoCAD

message box, click OK.

4 Respond to the prompts as follows.
Select parent component and view or [Modelspace/Active] <Active>:
Press ENTER
Select entity for another standard component view <Done>:
Press ENTER
The legacy standard part is migrated, and is listed in the mechanical
browser.
5 In the Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box,
choose Back.
6 On the Templates page, double-click the ISO 10642 screw template in
the list, or select it and choose the Load the template icon.
Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit | 223
The Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box
contains the screw connection as it has been stored in the template.
7 Select the size M4, and then choose Next.
224 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
8 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point of first hole: Press ENTER
Specify endpoint of first hole [Gap between holes]: Press ENTER
9 In the Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box,
Location representation, choose Next.
10 In he Screw Connection New Part Front View - Front View dialog box,
Grip representation, choose Finish.
Drag Size:
Drag the screw connection dynamically to the size M4 x 12, and then click
Drag Size: Enter 8, press ENTER
The screw connection is edited to a screw length of 12 mm and a blind
hole depth of 8 mm.
Your drawing looks like this:
Save your file.
Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit | 225
Working with Power View
With Power View, you can quickly generate a top or bottom view of a side
view of a standard part and vice versa.
Before you complete the top view of the coverplate, you have to zoom into
it.
To zoom to a window
1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
2 Zoom in to the coverplate.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify first corner point (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify second corner point (2)
226 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Use Power View to insert the screws into the top view of the coverplate.
To insert a standard part using Power View
1 Start the Power View command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power View Menu
AMPOWERVIEW Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select object: Select the screw at cover plate (1)
The AutoCAD Mechanical message box is displayed.
Working with Power View | 227
3 Choose Top, and respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Specify the centerline cross at top view (2)
The top view of the screw connection is inserted into the top view of the
coverplate. Your drawing should look like this:
4 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to insert the top view of the screw at the other three
centerline crosses of the top view of the coverplate.
The coverplate should look like this:
228 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
Save your file.
Deleting with Power Erase
Power Erase is an intelligent erase command. It detects the object information
of a part. If you delete a screw connection with Power Erase, the representation
of the background is automatically corrected.
Before you delete the standard part, you have to zoom into it.
To zoom to a window
1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
2 Zoom in to the coverplate.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify first corner point (1)
Deleting with Power Erase | 229
Specify opposite corner: Specify second corner point (2)
Delete a screw using the Power Erase command.
To delete a standard part
1 Start the Power Erase command.
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Erase Menu
AMPOWERERASE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object: Select the screw (1)
Select object: Press ENTER
230 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
The screw connection is deleted and the lines and hatch are restored.
Save your file.
Inserting Holes
Replace the previously deleted screw connection with a pin. First you insert
a blind hole for the pin.
Inserting Holes | 231
To insert a hole
1 Start the Blind Hole command.
Toolbutton
Content Holes Blind Holes Menu
AMBHOLE2D Command
2 In the Select a Blind Hole dialog box, select Acc. to ISO 273, and Front
View.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point: Specify insertion point (1)
Specify rotation angle <0>: Specify a point to define insertion angle (2)
232 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
4 In the Acc. to ISO 273 - Nominal Diameter dialog box, select a size of 5,
and then choose Finish.
5 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows:
Drag Size: Enter 20, press ENTER
The blind hole is inserted.
Your drawing should look like this:
Inserting Holes | 233
Save your file.
Inserting Pins
Insert a pin into the blind hole.
To insert a pin
1 Start the Cylindrical Pins command.
Toolbutton
Content Fasteners Cylindrical Pins Menu
AMCYLPIN2D Command
2 In the Select a Cylindrical Pin dialog box, select ISO 2338 and Front View.
234 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point: Specify insertion point (1)
Specify rotation angle <0>: Specify a point to define insertion angle (2)
4 In the ISO 2338 - Nominal Diameter dialog box, select a size of 5.
Inserting Pins | 235
5 Choose Finish, and then continue to respond to the prompt as follows:
Drag Size: Drag the pin to size 5 h8 x 16 - B, and then click
NOTE Turn the object snap (OSNAP) option off to snap to the correct pin
size.
6 In the Select Part Size dialog box, select 5 h8 x 16 - B, and then choose
OK.
7 The Create Hide Situation dialog box is displayed. Click OK.
The pin is inserted. Your drawing should look like this:
236 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
You inserted the blind hole first, and then the pin. This results in
overlapping centerlines. In order to have a correct plot, turn one centerline
off.
To turn off a centerline
1 Select the previously inserted cylindrical pin.
2 Right-click, and on the shortcut menu deactivate Centerlines on/off.
With the centerline of the pin turned off, only the centerline of the blind
hole is displayed.
Save your file.
Turning Off Centerlines in Configurations
If your drawing already contains holes with centerlines, and you want to add
standard parts, it is recommended to turn off the centerlines for standard parts
in the configuration. This avoids removing overlapped centerlines.
To turn off centerlines in the configuration
1 Open the Mechanical Options dialog box.
Menu Assist Options
AMOPTIONS Command
2 On the AM:Standard Parts tab, clear the Draw Centerlines check box.
Turning Off Centerlines in Configurations | 237
Choose Apply, and then choose OK.
Hiding Construction Lines
For a better overview, you can hide the construction lines by turning them
off temporarily.
Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
To zoom to the extents
Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
Turn off all construction lines.
238 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
To turn off C-lines
Start the Construction Line On/Off command.
Toolbutton
Assist Layer/Layergroup Construction Line
On/Off
Menu
AMCLINEO Command
All construction lines are turned off temporarily.
Save your file.
Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts
In some cases, such as in complex assemblies, it is helpful to have a simplified
representation of the standard parts for a better overview. With AutoCAD
Mechanical, you can switch between different representation types without
losing object or part information.
Change the representation of the differential gear screws.
To change the representation of a standard part
1 Start the Change Representation command.
Toolbutton
Content Change Representation Menu
AMSTDPREP Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Select the differential gear with a window (1, 2)
Select objects: Press ENTER
Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts | 239
3 In the Switch Representation of Standard Parts dialog box, select Symbolic.
Choose OK.
The representation of the selected standard parts is symbolic. Your
drawing should look like this:
240 | Chapter 11 Working with Standard Parts
All of the standard parts you inserted in this exercise are listed in the
mechanical browser.
Save your file.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts | 241
242
Working with BOMs and
Parts Lists
In this chapter In AutoCAD

Mechanical, you can create parts lists and bills

of material (BOMs), and modify part references and balloons.
Key Terms
Working with Parts Lists
In this chapter, you insert and edit a parts list, and work with
the bill of material (BOM) database.
12
243
Key Terms
Definition Term
Circular annotation tag that identifies a bill of material item in a drawing. The
number in the balloon corresponds with the number of the part in the bill of
material.
balloon
A dynamic database containing a list of all the parts in an assembly. Used to
generate parts lists that contain associated attributes such as part number,
manufacturer, and quantity.
bill of material
An entity that contains attributes by default (the attribute is invisible) that can
add information to and describe details of a part in the drawing. The values of
BOM attribute
these attributes are transformed into the parts list attributes when converting
BOM attributes and creating a parts list.
Part information for a bill of material, which is attached to the part in the
drawing.
part reference
A dynamic list of parts and associated attributes generated from a bill of mater-
ial database. The parts list automatically reflects additions and subtractions of
parts from an assembly.
parts list
Working with Parts Lists
The drawing used for this exercise is not structured. In structured drawings,
BOMs and parts list are generated automatically, and it is not necessary to
insert part references manually.
Open the initial drawing.
To open a drawing
1 Open the file tut_pts_list in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Menu
File Open
OPEN Command
244 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
The drawing contains a shaft with a housing.
2 Zoom in to the area of interest.
Menu
View Zoom Window
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify the first corner point figure (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify the second corner point (2)
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Inserting Part References
Part references contain the part information required for a bill of material.
The information in a part reference is available in the BOM database for
creating a parts list.
Use the part reference command to enter part information for your part.
To insert a part reference
1 Start the Part Reference command.
Menu
Annotate Parts List Tools Part Reference
AMPARTREF Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select point or [Block/Copy/Reference]:
Inserting Part References | 245
Specify a point on the part (1).
3 In the Part Ref Attributes dialog box, specify:
Description: Housing Partition
Standard: Size 130x125x55
Material: EN-GJL-200
Click OK.
The Part Reference is inserted into the drawing. In the next step, you
create a part reference by reference.
246 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
To insert a part reference by reference
1 Start the Part reference command again.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Part Reference Menu
AMPARTREF Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select point or [Block/Copy/Reference]:
Enter R at the command prompt to select Reference.
3 In the drawing, select the previously inserted part reference to create a
reference.
NOTE You can use the option Copy to create a new part with similar text
information.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter an option [Next/Accept]<Accept>: Press ENTER
5 Select point or: Specify the insertion point at the circular edge (2)
6 In the Part Ref Attributes dialog box, click OK.
NOTE This part reference looks different, because it has been attached to an
object (the circular edge) of the part.
Subsequently, when you generate the parts list, it shows a quantity of 2
for this item.
Save your file.
Inserting Part References | 247
Editing Part References
In this exercise, you edit an existing part reference in an drawing that is not
structured.
To edit a Part Reference
1 Start the Part Reference Edit command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Part Reference Edit Menu
AMPARTREFEDIT Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select pick object: Specify the part reference of the left bolt (3)
Enter an option [Next/Accept]<Accept>: Press ENTER
3 In the Part Ref Attributes dialog box, Reference Quantity field, enter 3,
and then click OK.
248 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
4 Zoom to the extents to display the entire drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom EXTENTS Menu
ZOOM Command
Save your file.
Placing Balloons
Create balloons from the part references in the drawing.
To place a balloon
1 Start the Balloon command.
Toolb8utton
Annotate Parts List Tools Balloons Menu
AMBALLOON Command
Placing Balloons | 249
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow
Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]: Enter B
NOTE At this stage the drawing doesnt contain a BOM database. As with
the AMPARTLIST command, the AMBALLOON command creates a BOM
database automatically. All part references are added to the database and
item numbers are created inside the database. However, unless specifically
instructed the commands create only the main BOM database. For the
purpose of this tutorial, you must create a BOM database to contain part
references held within the border; a border BOM. This is why you are
instructed to type B, to trigger the set BOM option of the AMBALLOON
command.
NOTE To create and edit a database manually, use the AMBOM command
Select border/annotation view or specify BOM to create/use
[Main/?] <MAIN>: Press ENTER
Select part/assembly or:
Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow
Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]: Enter A
Select pick object:
Use a window to select all objects, and then press ENTER
NOTE Press ENTER to change the type of arrangement (horizontal, vertical,
angle or stand-alone).
3 Place the balloons horizontally, above the assembly.
250 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
Because the balloons are numbered automatically, depending on where
you located the part references, the appearance of your drawing can be
different.
In the next step, you renumber the balloons.
To renumber balloons
1 Start the Balloon command again.
Menu Annotate Parts List Tools Renumber Balloons
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Enter starting item number: <1>: Press ENTER
Enter increment: <1>: Press ENTER
Select balloon: Select the balloons in numerical order from 1 to 7
Select balloon: Press ENTER
Your drawing must look like the following image for you to continue:
NOTE Since balloon 7 has a reference, there is no need to select balloon 8.
It is numbered 7 automatically.
Rearrange the balloons for a better representation.
Placing Balloons | 251
To rearrange balloons.
1 Start the Balloon command again.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Balloons Menu
AMBALLOON Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow
Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]: Enter E
Select balloon: Select the six balloons on the right
Select balloon: Press ENTER
Align [Angle/Standalone/Horizontal/Vertical]<Vertical>:
Enter h, press ENTER
3 Move the cursor through the center of balloon 1 to get the horizontal
tracking line.
NOTE Make sure that the OTRACK function is active.
4 Move the cursor to the right, and snap along the tracking line until you
reach a distance of 120, and then click.
The result must look like the following image:
252 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
NOTE You can control snap distance within the Balloon Properties dialog
box.
Create a part reference and a balloon in one step with the manual option.
To create a part reference and a balloon using the manual option
1 Start the Balloon command again.
Menu
Annotate Parts List Tools Balloons
AMBALLOON Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow
Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]:
Enter M, press ENTER
Select point or [Block/Copy/Reference]: Select a point on the shaft
NOTE Instead of selecting a point to create a part reference, you can use
Copy or Reference from the Manual option to get the information from an
existing balloon or part reference.
Placing Balloons | 253
3 In the Part Ref Attributes dialog box, specify:
Description: Shaft
Standard: Size Dia 50x150
Material: C45
Click OK.
4 Press ENTER to start the leader line of the balloon in the center of the part
reference.
5 Move the cursor through the center of balloon 1 to get the tracking line
and the snap distance, and then click the insertion point.
NOTE Instead of entering the insertion point, you can select another point
to create an extended leader line.
254 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
6 Press ENTER.
Save your file.
Creating Parts Lists
Generate a parts list from the part reference information.
To create a parts list
1 Start the Parts List command.
Menu
Annotate Parts List Tools Parts List
AMPARTLIST Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select border/annotation view or specify BOM to create/use
[Main/?] <MAIN>:
Move the cursor over the border until tooltip ISO_A2 is displayed, click the
highlighted border
The Parts List dialog box is displayed.
Creating Parts Lists | 255
Click OK.
The parts list appears dynamically on the cursor.
3 Move the cursor to position the parts lists above the title block, and then
click to insert the parts list.
The parts list looks like the following:
256 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
NOTE If a drawing contains more than one border, the borders are listed in
the BOM dialog box. From there you can select a particular border and view
the associated parts list.
In the next exercise, you edit balloon and parts list information using
several methods.
To edit parts list information
1 Start the Edit Part List/Balloon command.
Toolbutton
AMEDIT Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select object: Select balloon 2
3 In the Balloon dialog box, Material column, enter 8.8.
Creating Parts Lists | 257
Click OK.
The parts list reflects the material value you added.
258 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
NOTE Choose Apply to see the results in the drawing immediately without
leaving the dialog box. All changes made in the dialog box are associative
and change the data in the drawing immediately.
4 Double-click the parts list.
The Parts List dialog box is displayed.
You can edit your data in this dialog box. Some examples are shown next.
5 Select the Hex Nut entry, and then choose the Set values icon.
Creating Parts Lists | 259
6 In the Set Value dialog box, specify:
Column: Material
Value: 8
260 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
Click OK.
The material value is added to the Parts List.
7 Now, change the material of the second bolt and nut accordingly.
NOTE Use the shortcut menu inside a field to cut, copy, and paste.
Merging and Splitting Items In Parts Lists
Use the Parts List function to merge like items that are listed repeatedly.
To merge items in a parts list
1 In the Parts List dialog box, select the repeated items -Needle Roller
Bearing. Click the box in front of item 1, and then hold down CTRL while
you click the box in front of item 6.
2 With items 1 and 6 selected, choose the Merge items icon.
Merging and Splitting Items In Parts Lists | 261
The two items are merged. In the table, Item 1 now has a quantity of 2,
and Item 6 is missing.
You can select several rows to merge or split items. To merge, the selected
rows need to have the same entries.
3 Choose Apply to display the changes in the drawing.
Balloon is displayed twice.
262 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
NOTE Select the gray field to the left of row 1, and the Split item icon is
activated.
In this case, if you choose Split item, the previously merged items are
split again.
To select all rows at once, click the gray field in the upper left corner, as
shown in the following illustration.
Merging and Splitting Items In Parts Lists | 263
NOTE In this case, the Merge item and Split item icons are active. Using
these icons, you can merge or split all items at once. All data is compared,
and like items are merged. If they are already merged items, they are split.
Now that you have merged the bearing, you can delete one of the balloons
and add an additional leader. Click OK to exit the Parts List dialog box.
To delete a balloon
1 Use Power Erase, and select the left balloon with the item number 1.
2 Press ENTER to delete the balloon.
264 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
NOTE Deleting a balloon in the drawing doesn't delete any data. Data is lost only
if you delete a part reference. You can add more than one balloon to a part
reference. For example, you can create a balloon with the same item number for
the same part in another view.
To add an additional leader
1 Select the remaining balloon 1.
2 Right-click to display the shortcut menu. Select Add Leader and respond
to the prompts as follows:
Select object to attach: Select the left bearing
Next point (or F for first point): Select a point inside the balloon 1
The leader is added and your drawing should look like the following:
Save your file.
Collecting Balloons
You can collect balloons to place balloons of related parts to one leader line.
For example, you can place the balloons of a screw and a nut to one common
leader line.
Use Zoom Window to zoom in the top view of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
To collect balloons
1 Start the AMBALLOON command.
Collecting Balloons | 265
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Balloons Menu
AMBALLOON Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select part/assembly or [auTo/autoAll/set Bom/Collect/arrow
Inset/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize/annotation View]:
Enter C, press ENTER
3 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows:
Select pick object or balloon: Select the part reference of the left nut
4 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows:
Select pick object or balloon: Press ENTER
Select balloon: Select balloon 2
Pick orientation: Select a vertical orientation
5 Repeat the collect balloon command for the screw and nut on the right
side.
The result should look like this:
266 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
Save your file.
Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists
You can sort a parts list for manufacturing and sort standard parts with updated
item numbers.
To sort a parts list
1 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
2 Double-click the parts list to display the Parts List dialog box.
3 Choose the Sort icon.
Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists | 267
The Sort dialog box opens.
NOTE You can sort within a selection set, otherwise you are sorting all items.
4 In the Sort dialog box, specify as shown in the following image.
Click OK.
The result should look like this:
268 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
In the next step, you renumber the items.
To renumber parts list items
1 Click the Item cell to select the whole Item column.
2 Choose the Set values icon.
3 In the Set Value dialog box, specify:
Column: Item
Start value: 10
Step: 10
4 Click OK to return to the Parts List dialog box.
5 Choose Apply to see the results.
Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists | 269
The result should look like the following.
6 Choose OK to return to the drawing.
Save your file.
Using Filters
You can create and use one or more filters for every parts list you have inserted
in the drawing.
To use filters in a parts list
1 Double-click the parts list to display the Parts List dialog box.
2 Right-click the white Filters field.
270 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
3 Select Add Filter to display the List of Filters dialog box.
4 Select Custom and click OK.
Using Filters | 271
The details for this filter are displayed in the Filter/Groups section of the
Parts List dialog box.
5 Set the following values to define the filter.
272 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
6 Activate the filter with the Custom check box.
7 Click Apply.
The Standards that contain ISO are displayed.
Using Filters | 273
The filtered parts list is displayed in the drawing. The defined filters are
saved with the parts list and can be used again later.
To print only the filtered list, choose the Print icon.
8 Deactivate the custom filter, and then click OK to close the dialog box.
The filter is used in this drawing.
The result looks like the following:
274 | Chapter 12 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists
Save your file.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Using Filters | 275
276
Creating Shafts with
Standard Parts
In this chapter In this tutorial, you work with the automated shaft generator
and standard parts in AutoCAD

Mechanical to create and Key Terms

Creating Shafts
edit a shaft, and insert bearings. The standard parts you use
are automatically structured in the mechanical browser.
13
277
Key Terms
Definition Term
Calculates limiting value, dynamic and static load rating, dynamic and static
equivalent load, and fatigue life in revolutions and hours.
bearing calculation
A beveled surface between two faces or surfaces. chamfer
Calculation required for a revolving bearing. The result is the Adjusted Rating
Life. This is the life associated with 90% reliability with contemporary, commonly
dynamic calculation
used material, and under conventional operating conditions. With the number
of revolutions you get the life in working hours.
The act of determining the size of a standard part with the cursor while inserting
it into a side view. The standard part is displayed dynamically on the screen and
dynamic dragging
can be dragged to the next possible size and length. The values (sizes) are taken
from the Standard parts database.
A curved transition from one part face or surface to another. The transition cuts
off the outside edge or fills in the inside edge.
fillet
Any of several arrangements, especially of toothed wheels in a machine, which
allow power to be passed from one part to another to control the power, speed,
or direction of movement.
gear
Thin line that represents the radius in the side or top view. radius reflection line
Interruption of a shaft. A shaft can be interrupted at a point, and the shaft break
symbols are inserted in a suitable size.
shaft break
Tool to draw rotationally symmetrical parts. A shaft is usually created from left
to right using different sections. These sections are positioned automatically
shaft generator
one after the other. Additionally, any shaft section can be inserted, deleted, or
edited.
278 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
Creating Shafts
In this section, you use the shaft generator to create a shaft with standard
parts. You also perform a bearing calculation.
To open a template
1 Open a new drawing.
Toolbutton
File New Menu
NEW Command
2 In the Select template dialog box, click the template am_iso.dwt, and then
click Open.
This creates a new drawing based on the am_iso template. Use Save As
to save the drawing file with an appropriate name.
NOTE The ISO standard part standard has to be installed for this tutorial
exercise.
Ensure that mechanical structure is enabled
Creating Shafts | 279
To enable mechanical structure
1 Click the STRUCT status bar button and latch it down to enable
mechanical structure.
2 If the mechanical browser is not visible, in the command line, enter
AMBROWSER.
3 When prompted, enter ON.
Configuring Snap Options
Configure the snap options.
To configure the snap options
1 Start the Power Snap Settings.
Toolbutton
Assist Drafting Settings Osnap Settings Menu
AMPOWERSNAP Command
2 In the Power Snap Settings dialog box, activate the tab Setting 4 and
specify:
Snap Modes: Endpoint, Midpoint, Intersection
280 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
Choose OK
Save your file.
Configuring Shaft Generators
In the next steps, you start and configure the shaft generator.
To start and configure the shaft generator
1 Start the Shaft Generator command.
Toolbutton
Content Shaft Generator Menu
AMSHAFT2D Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter shaft component name <Shaft1>: Press ENTER
Specify starting point or select center line:
Enter 150,150, press ENTER
Specify centerline endpoint: Enter 240,150, press ENTER
NOTE The start and endpoints of the centerline are only important in
determining the direction. The length of the centerline is automatically
adapted to the length of the shaft.
3 In the Shaft Generator dialog box, click Options.
Configuring Shaft Generators | 281
4 In the Shaft Generator - Configuration dialog box, specify:
For Segment inserted: Insert
Stationary Shaft End: Left
Adjust Centerline: Yes
Front View: Radius Reflection Line, Check contour
Side and Sectional Views: Sectional with Background, Always update
View of Interrupt: Hatch
If shaft is in background, hide standard part too: Yes
Choose OK.
You return to the Shaft Generator dialog box.
Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears
The shaft generator is configured. Now you want to generate the first shaft
segments.
282 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
To create shaft segments
1 Choose the lower cylinder button to define a cylinder section,
and respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify length <50>: Enter 12, press ENTER
Specify diameter <40>: Enter 20, press ENTER
2 Choose the gear button, and then enter the values for module,
number of teeth, and length as shown in the following figure:
NOTE Here, the DIN standard requires that you indicate the module. The
ANSI standard requires the Diametral Pitch 1/module. You can switch between
these two representations using the DIN and ANSI options.
3 Close the Shaft Generator dialog box.
In the mechanical structure browser, the shaft is added as a component.
Add an assembly to structure the shaft components you create in this
exercise.
Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears | 283
To add an assembly to the mechanical browser
1 In the mechanical browser, right click the file name node (the root node)
and choose New Component.
2 Respond to the prompts:
Enter new component name <COMP1>: Enter shaftassembly, press ENTER
Enter new view name <Top>: Enter front, press ENTER
Select objects for new component view: Select the shaft with a window
Select objects for new component view: Press ENTER
Specify base point: Specify a point at the upper left of the shaft
The shaft assembly is listed at the top of the browser, and the existing
shaft components are listed within the assembly. As you add more
components to the shaft, they are automatically structured in the
assembly.
Return to the shaft generator.
Double-click the left shaft segment in the drawing, and click ESC.
3 Choose the lower cylinder button to define a further cylinder
section and respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify length <10>: Enter 5, press ENTER
Specify diameter <20>: Enter 20, press ENTER
4 Choosethe gear button, and then enter the values for module,
number of teeth, and length as shown in the following figure:
284 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
5 Choose the lower cylinder button to define another cylinder
section, and then respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify length <10>: Enter 4, press ENTER
Specify diameter <20>: Enter 24, press ENTER
6 Choose the lower cylinder button to define another cylinder
section, and then respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify length <4>: Enter 33, press ENTER
Specify diameter <24>: Enter 20, press ENTER
The first five sections of the shaft are created, as represented in the
following figure:
Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears | 285
Inserting Spline Profiles
Add a spline profile to the shaft.
To create a profiled segment
1 Choose the Profile button.
2 Choose ISO 14 in the database browser.
3 In the Splined Shaft ISO 14 dialog box, select the standard size 6 x 13 x
16 and enter a length of 26.
Choose OK.
You created another section of the shaft, as shown in the following figure:
286 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
Inserting Chamfers and Fillets
Apply a chamfer and a fillet to the shaft.
To apply a chamfer and a fillet
1 Choose the Chamfer button to apply a chamfer to a shaft section,
and then respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object: Select the leftmost cylinder section (1)
Specify length (max. 12) <2.5>: Enter 2, press ENTER
Specify angle (0-79) or [Distance] <45>: Enter 45, press ENTER
2 Choose the Fillet button to apply a fillet to a shaft section, and
then respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object:
Select the cylinder section between the two gears near the second gear (1)
Enter radius (max. 5.00) <2.50>: Enter 2, press ENTER
Inserting Chamfers and Fillets | 287
NOTE The fillet is applied to the edge of the selected section that is closer
to the selected point.
The shaft looks like the following figure:
Inserting Shaft Breaks
Insert a shaft break in the drawing.
To insert a shaft break
Choose the Break button to insert a shaft break, and then respond
to the prompts as follows:
Specify point: Select the midpoint of the cylindrical section (1)
Specify length (min. 4.00) <6>: Enter 10, press ENTER
NOTE You can insert the break to the left if you enter a negative value.
The shaft break is inserted.
288 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
Creating Side Views of Shafts
Insert a side view of the shaft.
To insert a side view
1 Choose the Side view button.
2 In the Side view from dialog box, select Right. Choose OK.
3 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Press ENTER
The right side view is inserted at the proposed position.
In the mechanical browser, the new right side view is listed within the
shaft component along with the existing front view. The right side view
includes its hide situations.
Creating Side Views of Shafts | 289
Inserting Threads on Shafts
Add a thread to the shaft.
To insert a thread on a shaft
1 Choose the Thread button to insert a thread, and then select ISO
261 External in the browser.
2 In the ISO 261 ExternalThreads (Regular Thread) dialog box, select M10
and enter a length of 20. Choose OK.
The thread is added to the shaft, which looks like this:
290 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
NOTE If Always Update is unchecked in Options, AM:Shaft tab, you are
prompted to update associated views when you close the Shaft Generator.
Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections
Edit an existing shaft section and insert a new section. You use the Edit button
in the shaft generator to turn on AMPOWEREDIT.
To edit and insert a shaft section
1 Choose the Edit button, and then respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object: Select the first cylindrical section (1)
Specify length <12>: Press ENTER
Specify diameter <20>: Enter 18, press ENTER
The diameter is changed to 18 while the length remains 12.
2 Choose the Insert button, and then respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify point: Select a point after the second gear (1)
Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections | 291
3 Choose the Slope button, and then respond to the prompts as
follows:
Specify length or [Dialog] <20>: Enter 4, press ENTER
Specify diameter at starting point <24>: Enter 28, press ENTER
Specify diameter at endpoint or [Slope/Angle] <20>:
Enter 22, press ENTER
Replacing Shaft Sections
The previously inserted slope needs to be deleted again.
To replace a shaft section
1 Choose the Undo button.
The previous slope insertion is undone.
Replace an existing shaft section. To do this, change the settings in the
configuration.
292 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
2 Choose the Options button to start the shaft generator configuration,
and then specify:
For Segment inserted: Overdraw
Choose OK.
3 Choose the Slope button, and then respond to the prompt as
follows:
Specify length or [Dialog] <4>: Enter D, press ENTER
4 In the Shaft Generator - Cone dialog box, specify the following settings.
Choose OK.
The slope replaces the cylindrical shaft section.
Replacing Shaft Sections | 293
Inserting Bearings
Insert a bearing and perform a bearing calculation.
To insert a bearing
1 Choose the Standard Parts button, and then select Roller Bearings
Radial ISO 355. Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point on shaft contour: Specify insertion point (1)
Direction to [Left]: Select a point to the right (2)
2 In the ISO 355 dialog box, choose Next.
294 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
3 Specify the loads, and activate Work Hours as shown in the following.
Choose Next.
4 In the ISO 355 dialog box, select the bearing 2BD - 20 x 37 x 12, and then
choose Finish.
Inserting Bearings | 295
You can drag the cursor to see all available bearing sizes.
5 Drag to the size 2BD - 20 x 37 x 12, and then press ENTER.
6 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK.
The bearing is inserted.
7 Close the Shaft Generator dialog box.
In the mechanical structure browser, the roller bearing component is
added to the assembly.
296 | Chapter 13 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
Inserting Bearings | 297
298
Calculating Shafts
In this chapter In this tutorial, you use the shaft generator in AutoCAD

Mechanical to perform a calculation on an existing shaft, and Key Terms

Calculating Shafts
apply various loads to a supported shaft. Then you insert the
results into a drawing.
14
299
Key Terms
Definition Term
A curve representing the vertical displacement of different points along the
member subjected to a load.
deflection line
The moment of all forces that act on the member to the left of a section (a point
along the member where bending moment needs to be calculated) taken about
the horizontal axis of the section.
bending moment
Safety to endurance or fracture under repetitive cycles of loads. fatigue factor
A support that prevents translation as well as rotation about all axes. fixed support
Any of several arrangements in a machine, especially toothed wheels, that allow
power to be passed from one part to another to control the power, speed, or
the direction of movement.
gear
The forces and moments that act on a part. load
A support that prevents translation as well as rotation about all axes. movable support
A change of cross section, such as an undercut, groove, hole or shoulder. A
notch leads to higher stress in the part. The flux of the stress is interrupted or
redirected.
notch
A force that is concentrated on a point. point force
A summary term for all forces and moments, thus loads and stress, which act
on a part.
strength
Force or pressure on a part. Stress is the force per unit area. stress
Safety to the stress beyond which the material exhibits permanent deformation. yield point
300 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
Calculating Shafts
With AutoCAD Mechanical, you can perform a shaft calculation using a
contour created with the Shaft Generator, or any other symmetric shaft
contour. The function provides a static calculation, which is important for
the design of the shaft and the bearing load.
In this tutorial, you calculate a gearbox shaft. The general way to calculate an
existing shaft is to define the contour and insert forces and supports. The
routine calculates all necessary values and draws the respective graphs for
moment and deflection.
Mechanical structure does not impact this engineering structure routine. You
can calculate shafts with mechanical structure enabled or disabled.
Load the initial drawing.
To open a file
1 Open the file tut_shafts in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains a shaft in front and side view.
2 Zoom in to the shaft.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify the first corner point (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify the second corner point (2)
Calculating Shafts | 301
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Creating Shaft Contours
Before you can perform any calculations on a shaft, you have to create the
shaft contour.
To create a shaft contour
1 Start the Shaft Calculator.
2
Toolbutton
Content Calculations Shaft Calculation Menu
AMSHAFTCALC Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select contour or [Create contour/Strength] <Create>:
Enter C, press ENTER
Select objects: Select the complete shaft
Select objects: Press ENTER
4 In the AutoCAD

Question dialog box, choose Yes.

302 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
5 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify contour position: Press ENTER
NOTE The calculation routine recognizes hollow shafts and uses the contour
for the calculation.
After you create the shaft contour, the Shaft Calculation dialog box is
displayed so that you can select the boundary conditions, the material,
and the representation of the calculation results.
Specifying Material
You specify the material by selecting it from a table containing the most
commonly used materials. You can also to enter the characteristics for other
materials using the option Edit.
To specify a material
1 In Material, choose Edit.
The Material Properties dialog box is displayed.
2 In the Material Properties dialog box, choose Table, and then select the
ANSI Material standard.
3 In the Material dialog box, select the material Steel SAE 1045 from the
table.
Specifying Material | 303
Choose OK.
NOTE If the ANSI standard is not installed on your system, you can select a
different standard, but the results may differ from the results in this tutorial.
For example, if you select DIN, you can select a similar material, like E335,
to achieve similar results.
NOTE Some material properties are not complete. In this case, you have to
complete them to obtain calculation results.
4 In the Material Properties dialog box, complete the ANSI material
properties, if necessary.
Choose OK.
304 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
Placing Shaft Supports
Specify the shaft supports.
To place a support
1 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, select the Movable Support
icon, and then respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the leftmost shaft section
2 Select the Fixed Support icon, and then respond to the prompt as
follows:
Specify insertion point:
Select the midpoint of the third cylindrical shaft section
The shaft supports are specified, and the result looks like this:
Specifying Loads on Shafts
Specify the effective loads. AutoCAD

Mechanical uses geometry from the

drawing for load calculations.
The loads depend on the Calculated Part setting. There are three possibilities:
Rotating Shaft, Rotating Axle, and Not rotating Axle. Shafts transfer torque
and rotating axles results in different stress values than static axles results.
To specify a load
1 From the Calculated Part drop-down list, choose Rotating Shaft.
Placing Shaft Supports | 305
2 Choose the Gear icon, and then respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point:
Select the midpoint of the second gear from the left
3 In the Gear dialog box, Inputs tab, specify:
Gear Load: Constant Motive Power, Driven
Torque: 15
Choose OK.
NOTE The Components tab displays the force components. Changes in one
tab are automatically reflected in the other tab.
4 Choose the Point Load icon, and then respond to the prompts as
follows:
Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the profile section
Specify rotation angle: Press ENTER
5 In the Point Load dialog box, Resultant tab, specify:
306 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
Point Load: 2500
Choose OK.
6 Choose the Torque icon, and then respond to the prompt as
follows:
Specify insertion point: Select the midpoint of the profile section
7 In the Torque dialog box, specify:
Torque: Mt=: 15
Choose OK.
The loads are specified, and the result looks like this:
Specifying Loads on Shafts | 307
All boundary conditions necessary for a shaft calculation are specified.
Calculating and Inserting Results
Perform a calculation of the moments and deformations, and insert the results
in your drawing.
To perform a shaft calculation
1 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, choose the Moments and
Deformations button.
2 In the Select Graph dialog box, specify:
Bend: Bending Moment in Y - Axis, Deflection in Y - Axis
Torsion: Torsion Moment in X - Direction
Stresses: Result Bending Stress
Table Title: Shaft Calculation Exercise
308 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
3 Choose OK, and then respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point:
Select an appropriate point to the right of the shaft
The result block and the deflection and torsion moment graphs are
inserted.
4 Close the Shaft Calculation dialog box.
Your drawing looks like this:
Calculating and Inserting Results | 309
The result block provides the most important information about your
calculated shaft, such as the maximum stress deflection and moment
values.
310 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
5 Close the Shaft Calculation dialog box.
Save your file.
Calculating Strengths of Shafts
Check the strength at a critical place of the shaft, such as at a notch.
To calculate the strength at a notch
1 Restart the Shaft Calculation
Toolbutton
Content Calculations Shaft Calculation Menu
AMSHAFTCALC Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Calculating Strengths of Shafts | 311
Select contour or [Create contour/Strength] <Create>:
Select the shaft contour
The Shaft Calculation dialog box opens. Continue with calculations on
the previously specified shaft.
3 In the Shaft Calculation dialog box, choose the Strength button, and
then respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify calculation position on shaft or [Graph]:
Specify the notch at the end of the conical section (1) (do not select the endpoint
of the cylindrical shaft section)
NOTE This notch was selected because the calculation established that the
highest bending stress is close to this place.
The Strength Calculation dialog box opens.
Use the Strength Calculation dialog box to specify the properties of the
notch in more detail and display the strength values and factors.
312 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify next point <Symbol>: Specify a point below the shaft
Specify next point <Symbol>: Press ENTER
The result block is inserted in the drawing.
Calculating Strengths of Shafts | 313
The safety factors are greater than 1.0, so the shaft does not need to be
redesigned at this notch.
5 Close the Shaft Calculation dialog box.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
314 | Chapter 14 Calculating Shafts
Engineering Calculations
In this part The tutorials in this section teach you how to calculate
moments of inertia and deflection lines, create and calculate Calculating Moments of
Inertia and Deflection Lines
chains, springs and cams. The drawing files for each lesson
Calculating Chains
can be found in the Acadm/tutorial/ folder of the AutoCAD

Calculating Springs
Calculating Screw
Connections
Mechanical installation folder. These drawing files provide
design elements that help you understand several AutoCAD
Mechanical concepts.
Calculating Stress Using
FEA
Designing and Calculating
Cams
315
316
Calculating Moments of
Inertia and Deflection
Lines
In this chapter Many engineering calculations are automated in AutoCAD

Mechanical. This tutorial illustrates how you calculate the

Key Terms
Calculating Moments of
Inertia and Deflection Lines
moment of inertia for a profile section, and calculate the
deflection line on a beam based on the profile calculation.
15
317
Key Terms
Definition Term
The moment of all forces that act on the member to the left of a section (a point
along the member where bending moment needs to be calculated) taken about
the horizontal axis of the section.
bending moment
A curve representing the vertical displacement of different points along the
member subjected to a load.
deflection line
A load or force that is exerted over a certain length. distributed load
A support that prevents translation as well as rotation about all axes. fixed support
Force or moment acting on a member or body. load
An important property of areas and solid bodies. Standard formulas are derived
by multiplying elementary particles of area and mass by the squares of their
moment of inertia
distances from reference axes. Moments of inertia, therefore, depend on the
location of reference axes.
A support that prevents rotation in all axes, but allows translation along one
axis.
movable support
A force that is concentrated on a point. point force
Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines
The measurement unit for the moment of inertia is mm4 or inches4. These
are geometric values, which appear in deflection, torsion, and buckling
calculation. AutoCAD Mechanical uses the result of the moment of inertia
calculation for the deflection line calculation.
Moment of inertia calculations are performed on cross sections of beams or
on other objects that can be represented as closed contours. Calculations can
be performed on a cross section of any shape, as long as the geometry of the
cross section forms a closed contour.
318 | Chapter 15 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines
AutoCAD Mechanical determines the center of gravity for a cross section,
draws the main axes, and calculates the moment of inertia about each of those
axes. You can also select a load direction for a cross section; AutoCAD
Mechanical calculates the moment of inertia and angle of deflection for that
load.
NOTE Before you perform this exercise, verify that the ISO standard part standard
is installed.
Load the initial drawing.
To open a file
Open the file tut_calc in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains this profile:
Save your file under a different name or directory to preserve the original
tutorial file.
Calculating Moments of Inertia
In order to perform any calculations on a profile, you need to know its moment
of inertia.
To calculate the moment of inertia
1 Start the calculation for the moment of inertia.
Calculating Moments of Inertia | 319
Toolbutton
Content Calculations Moment of Inertia Menu
AMINERTIA Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify interior point: Click a point inside the profile
Specify interior point: Press ENTER
Is the area filled correctly? (Yes/No)? <Yes>: Press ENTER
The coordinates of the centroid and the moment of inertia along the
principle axes are displayed on the command line, as follows:
Coordinates of centroid (in user coordinates):
X coordinate: 228.071933 Y coordinate: 150.027674
Moments of inertia along principal axes:
I1: 2.359e+004 I2: 1.4095e+004
Axis angle for major moment (I1): 5.3
Define the direction of the loads. They must be in one plane.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify direction of load forces (must all lie in one plane):
Enter 270, press ENTER
The data for this load direction is displayed on the command line, as
follows:
Effective moment of inertia for this load direction: 2.341e+004
Angle of deflection: 266.5
Maximum distances neutral line - border:
Extension side: 16.690 Compression side: 14.444
Enter a description for the calculated profile and locate the block with
the calculation data in the drawing.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter description: Enter Frame Profile, press ENTER
Specify insertion point: Place the calculation block next to the profile
Your drawing looks like this:
320 | Chapter 15 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines
NOTE The main axes, 1 and 2, are the axes with the most and least deflection.
The F arrow displays the direction of the force, the s arrow displays the
resultant deflection. The moment of inertia block shows the moments related
to the main axis, the maximum distances from the edges, and the calculated
area. For more detailed information, see Help.
A side view of the profile has been created for the deflection line.
5 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
Save your file.
Calculating Deflection Lines
The calculation of the deflection line requires the calculation result from the
moment of inertia calculation.
Calculate the deflection line under a specific load situation.
To calculate the deflection line
1 Start the deflection line calculation.
Calculating Deflection Lines | 321
Toolbutton
Content Calculations Deflection Line Menu
AMDEFLINE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select moment of inertia block: Select the calculation block (1)
Specify starting point or [Existing beam]:
Select the left end of the beam (2)
Specify endpoint: Select the right end of the beam (3)
3 In the Beam Calculation dialog box, choose Table.
4 In the Select Standard for Material dialog box, select ANSI Material.
5 In the Material Type dialog box, select ANSI standard and the material
Al. Bronze Cast.
NOTE If you have not installed ANSI standard, selecting a different standard
according to your preference is also possible, but the results will differ from
the results in this tutorial exercise. For example, if you select DIN, you can
select a similar material, like AlMgSi0.5F22, to achieve similar results.
322 | Chapter 15 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines
Click OK.
Define the supports and the loads.
6 Choose the Fixed Support icon, and then respond to the prompt
as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select the left edge of the beam (1)
NOTE The support can only be placed along the beam.
7 Choose the Movable Support icon, and then respond to the prompt
as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select the right edge of the beam (2)
8 Choose the Uniform Load icon, and then respond to the prompts
as follows:
Specify insertion point: Select the left edge of the beam (3)
Calculating Deflection Lines | 323
Specify endpoint: Select the midpoint of the beam using midpoint snap (4)
Line Load [N/mm]<50>: Enter 10, press ENTER
9 Choose the Moment icon, and then respond to the prompts as
follows:
Specify insertion point:
Select a point in the center of the uniform load (5)
Bending moment (Nm)<10>: Enter 3, press ENTER
10 In the Beam Calculation dialog box, choose Moments and Deflection.
11 In the Select Graph dialog box, select the options as shown in the
following figure, and then choose OK.
12 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Enter scale for bending moment line (drawing unit:Nm)<1:1.3913>:
324 | Chapter 15 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines
Press ENTER
Enter scale for deflection (drawing unit:mm)<37.208:1>:
Press ENTER
Specify insertion point: Select a point in the drawing
The result looks like this:
The calculation result block displays all important data on your
calculation:
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
Calculating Deflection Lines | 325
326
Calculating Chains
In this chapter In this AutoCAD

Mechanical tutorial, you calculate a chain

length, and insert sprockets and chain links into a drawing.
Key Terms
Chain Calculations
16
327
Key Terms
Definition Term
Distance in mm or inches between centers of adjacent joint members. Other
dimensions are proportional to the pitch. Also known as pitch.
partition
The diameter of the pitch circle that passes through the centers of the link pins
as the chain is wrapped on the sprocket.
pitch diameter
A roller chain is made up of two kinds of links: roller links and pin links alternately
and evenly spaced throughout the length of the chain.
roller chain
A toothed wheel that transfers the power from the chain to the shaft or the
other way round.
sprocket
Chain Calculations
NOTE Before you begin this tutorial exercise, be sure the ISO standard parts are
installed on your screen.
Before you begin this tutorial...
This tutorial requires the mechanical browser. If the mechanical browser is
not visible:
1 Type AMBROWSER in the command prompt and press ENTER.
2 When prompted, enter ON and press ENTER.
To load the tutorial drawing
1 Open the file tut_chain.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
Save your file under a different name to preserve the original tutorial file.
328 | Chapter 16 Calculating Chains
2 Use a window to Zoom in to the chain housing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify first corner point (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify second corner point (2)
Performing Length Calculations
To calculate the required length of the chain
1 Start the Length Calculation command.
Toolbutton
Content Chains / Belts Length Calculation Menu
AMCHAINLENGTHCAL Command
Performing Length Calculations | 329
2 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, choose Library.
3 In the Library, select ISO 606 metric.
4 In the Select Part Size dialog box, specify:
Standard: ISO 606 - 05B - 1
Choose OK.
5 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, choose OK, and
then respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle a (1)
330 | Chapter 16 Calculating Chains
Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle c (2)
Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle c (3)
Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle b (4)
Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Select circle b (5)
Specify 2nd point for tangent: Select circle a (6)
Specify 1st point for tangent or [Undo] <exit>: Press ENTER
The tangent definition is finished, and the length of the chain is
calculated. Because the length is divided into whole numbers of links,
one sprocket has to be moved to achieve such a length.
6 Continue responding to the prompts as follows:
Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved. Select objects:
Select circle b
Select objects: Press ENTER
Specify base point of displacement: Select the center of circle b
Specify second point of displacement: Select the center of the cross (8)
Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved.
Select objects: Press ENTER
AutoCAD Mechanical calculated the new length, which is still not a
multiple of the chain division:
Number of links in chain: 121 Distance to next link: 6.88567 mm
Length:974.8857
Performing Length Calculations | 331
NOTE You can view the results by resizing the command line or opening the
AutoCAD

Text Window using F2.

The chain arrangement has to be optimized to a length that is a multiple
of the chain division.
Save your file.
Optimizing Chain Lengths
To optimize the chain length
1 Start the Length Calculation command.
Toolbutton
Content Chains / Belts Length Calculation Menu
AMCHAINLENGTHCAL Command
2 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, select Auto
Optimization and Move, and then specify:
Required Number of Links: 122
332 | Chapter 16 Calculating Chains
Choose OK.
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select pulleys or sprockets to be moved.
Select objects: Select the relocated circle b
Select objects: Press ENTER
Specify direction angle to move: Enter 90, press ENTER
Sprocket b is moved until a chain length of 122 links is achieved.
4 In the Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog box, choose OK.
Close the dialog box by clicking Cancel.
Your drawing looks like this:
Save your file.
Inserting Sprockets
To insert the sprocket
1 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command.
Toolbutton
Content Chains / Belts Draw Sprocket/Pulley Menu
AMSPROCKET Command
Inserting Sprockets | 333
2 In the Select Pulley and Sprocket dialog box, Buttons tab, click Sprockets
Front view.
Respond to the prompts:
Specify insertion point: Select the center of circle a
Specify rotation angle < 0 >: Enter 360, press ENTER
3 In the Sprockets - Size Selection dialog box, select ISO 606 05B-1, and
then click Next.
4 In the Sprockets - Geometry dialog box, specify:
Geometry of Sprocket:
Number of teeth: 21
Number of Visible Teeth: 21
Shaft Diameter: 10
Click Finish.
The sprocket is inserted into the drawing, and the Create Hide Situation
is displayed.
5 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK.
334 | Chapter 16 Calculating Chains
A hide situation is created, and is listed at the top of the tree in the
mechanical browser.
Insert the next two sprockets.
6 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command again.
Toolbutton
Content Chains / Belts Draw Sprocket/Pulley Menu
AMSPROCKET Command
7 In the Select Pulley and Sprocket dialog box, Buttons tab, click Sprockets
Front view.
Respond to the prompts:
Specify insertion point: Select the center of circle b
Specify rotation angle < 0 >: Enter 360, press ENTER
8 In the Sprockets - Size Selection dialog box, select ISO 606 05B-1, and
then click Next.
9 In the Sprockets - Geometry dialog box, specify:
Geometry of Sprocket:
Number of teeth: 13
Number of Visible Teeth: 13
Shaft Diameter: 10
Inserting Sprockets | 335
Click Finish.
10 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK.
A hide situation is created, and is listed in the mechanical browser.
The sprocket is inserted into the drawing.
Create the next sprocket.
11 Start the Draw Sprocket/Pulley command again.
Toolbutton
Content Chains / Belts Draw Sprocket/Pulley Menu
AMSPROCKET Command
12 In the Select Pulley and Sprocket dialog box, Buttons tab, click Sprockets
Front view.
Respond to the prompts:
Specify insertion point: Select the center of circle c
Specify rotation angle < 0 >: Enter 360, press ENTER
13 In the Sprockets - Size Selection dialog box, select ISO 606 05B-1, and
then click Next.
14 In the Sprockets - Geometry dialog box, specify:
Geometry of Sprocket:
Number of teeth: 51
Number of Visible Teeth: 3
336 | Chapter 16 Calculating Chains
Shaft Diameter: 10
Choose Finish.
15 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK.
A hide situation is created, and is listed in the mechanical browser.
The last sprocket is inserted as a simplified representation with only three
teeth, as specified in the dialog box. Your drawing looks like this:
Save your file.
Inserting Sprockets | 337
Inserting Chains
To insert a chain
1 Start the Draw Chain/Belt Links command.
Toolbutton
Content Chains / Belts Draw Chain/Belt
Links
Menu
AMCHAINDRAW Command
2 In the Select Belt and Chain dialog box, Buttons tab, choose Chains.
Respond to the prompts:
Select polyline: Select the polyline near point 9
Select starting point on polyline: Select a point on the polyline
3 In the Select a Chain dialog box, select ISO 606 Metric.
4 In the Chains - Size Selection dialog box, select ISO 606 05B - 1, and then
choose Next.
5 In the Chains - Geometry selection dialog box, specify:
Number of Links: 121
Click Finish.
6 Respond to the prompts:
338 | Chapter 16 Calculating Chains
Specify direction of Links [Flip/Accept] <Accept>: Press ENTER
Specify orientation of Links [Flip/Accept] <Accept>:
Enter F, press ENTER
Specify orientation of Links [Flip/Accept] <Accept>: Press ENTER
7 In the Create Hide Situation dialog box, click OK.
The chain is inserted into the drawing, and a hide situation is created.
Your drawing looks like this:
The mechanical browser reflects the standard components you created
in the drawing.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
Inserting Chains | 339
340
Calculating Springs
In this chapter In this tutorial, you calculate a spring for existing boundary
conditions and insert the spring into a drawing. You copy and Key Terms
Calculating Springs
edit the spring using the Power Copy and Power Edit
commands in AutoCAD

Mechanical.
17
341
Key Terms
Definition Term
A washer-type spring that can sustain relatively large loads with small deflections.
The loads and deflections can be increased by stacking the springs.
Belleville spring washer
A spring type that can be compressed and can absorb pressure forces. compression spring
The act of determining the size of a standard part with the cursor while inserting
the part into a side view. The standard part is displayed dynamically on the
dynamic dragging
screen and can be dragged to the next possible size and length. The values
(sizes) are taken from the Standard parts database.
A spring type that can absorb tension forces. extension spring
A command that copies a drawing object to another position in the drawing.
Power Copy produces an identical copy of the copied object.
Power Copy
A single edit command for all objects in a drawing. Power Edit
A spring type that can absorb torque forces. torsion spring
Calculating Springs
With the AutoCAD Mechanical spring function, you can insert compression,
extension, and torsion springs, as well as Belleville spring washers. The
calculation is carried out in accordance with DIN 2098 or ANSI. The standard
sizes of the springs can be selected from various standard catalogs.
NOTE The ISO standard parts have to be installed for this tutorial exercise.
In this tutorial, you create a compression spring in two different compression
situations. You calculate and insert the springs in the existing drawing.
Perform this tutorial with mechanical structure disabled.
342 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
To open a drawing
1 Open the file tut_spring.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
2 Click the STRUCT status bar button and latch it down to enable
mechanical structure.
3 Zoom in to the area of the spring housings.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first corner: Specify first corner (1)
Specify opposite corner: Specify opposite corner (2)
Calculating Springs | 343
The drawing shows two views (A and B) of the lever and spring housing,
to reflect two different states of compression.
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Starting Spring Calculations
Specify the spring and the location.
To specify a spring
1 Start the Compression Spring command.
Toolbutton
Content Springs Compression Menu
AMCOMP2D Command
2 In the Select Compression Spring dialog box, choose Standards SPEC

Catalog A Front View.

344 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify starting point: Specify the starting point (1)
Specify direction: Specify endpoint (2)
Specifying Spring Restrictions
Specify the spring restrictions. Use the Compression Springs dialog box to
restrict the spring selection in various ways.
To specify the spring restrictions
1 In the Compression Springs - Select from Table SPEC

Catalog A [mm]
dialog box, specify:
Specification: 2 Loads, 2 Lengths
Absolute Set: Lengths
Click the Da button.
Specifying Spring Restrictions | 345
A row for specifying the outer diameter Da is added to the restrictions
table.
2 Click the value field for the diameter Da. You can pick a point on the
inner spring housing to specify the diameter, or enter a value. In this
instance, enter the value 15.
Define the initial spring length.
3 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables SPEC

Catalog A [mm]
dialog box, click the value field for the length L1, and then choose the
pick icon.
346 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify point for spring length L1:
Select a point on the spring pressure plate (1)
Use view B of the lever and spring housing to define the compressed
spring length.
5 In the Compression Springs dialog box, click the value field for the length
L2, and then choose the pick icon.
Specifying Spring Restrictions | 347
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify point for spring length L2:
Select a point on the spring pressure plate in view B (1)
The geometric boundary conditions are defined, and you can proceed
with the calculation.
Calculating and Selecting Springs
Make the calculation settings and calculate the possible springs.
348 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
To calculate and select a spring
1 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables SPEC

Catalog A [mm]
dialog box, choose the Additional Calculation Settings button.
2 In the Compression Springs - Additional Calculation [ANSI] dialog, select
the left buckling case, and then choose OK.
3 In the Compression Springs - Select from Tables SPEC

Catalog A [mm]
dialog box, choose Next.
Calculating and Selecting Springs | 349
The possible springs are calculated and the results are displayed in the
Compression Springs - Select from Tables SPEC

Catalog A [mm] dialog

box.
4 Choose Select All to select all possible springs for the dynamic dragging
process.
350 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
Choose Finish.
Inserting Springs
Drag the cursor dynamically to switch between the selected possible springs.
The outline of the spring is displayed in the drawing and the spring description
is displayed in the tooltip.
To insert a spring
1 Drag the cursor until the tooltip reads SPEC - 1.6 x 14.1 x 36, and then
click.
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Topical Length (14.28 - 36) [Force/Deflection] <32.01>:
Select a point on the spring pressure plate (1)
3 Continue to respond to the prompts as follows:
Select rod (only closed contours) <Enter=continue>: Press ENTER
The spring is inserted as shown below.
Inserting Springs | 351
Save your file.
Creating Views of Springs with Power View
In order to adjust the length of the spring in view B, the springs in the two
views need to be different components rather than instances of the same
component.
Use the previously inserted spring in view A to create a spring for view B, using
the Power View command.
To create a view of a spring with Power View
1 Start the Power View command
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power View Menu
AMPOWERVIEW Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select objects: Select the spring in view A
3 In the Select New View dialog box, select Front View.
352 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
4 Respond to the prompts:
Specify starting point: Select point (1) in view B
Specify direction: Select point (2) in view B
Topical Length (14.28 - 36)[Force/Deflection]<32.01>:
Select the lower contact point of the compressed spring
Select rod (only closed contours) <Enter=continue>: Press ENTER
The spring is copied into view B in its compressed length.
Save your file.
Creating Views of Springs with Power View | 353
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
354 | Chapter 17 Calculating Springs
Calculating Screw
Connections
In this chapter In this tutorial, you calculate a screw connection using the
stand-alone screw calculation function in AutoCAD

Mechanical.
Key Terms
Methods for Calculating
Screws
Using Stand Alone Screw
Calculations
18
355
Key Terms
Definition Term
A force parallel to the screw axis. axial force
The touching surfaces of the plates, which are effective for the calculation. contact area
The safety factor is the ratio of effective load and safe load. safety factor
A force perpendicular to the screw axis. shear force
The force acting on a member or body per unit area. stress
Methods for Calculating Screws
The Screw Calculation provides two different ways to calculate a screw
connection:
Stand-alone calculation: All data and properties are specified by the user.
Calculation of an existing screw connection: The user selects an existing
screw connection to be calculated. All geometric and standard-related data
is taken from the screw connection and cannot be edited.
In this exercise, you use the stand-alone Screw Calculation. With the
standalone calculation, you can calculate a screw connection without any
prerequisites. You can specify the screw connection in detail (material,
geometry, load, settlement and tightening properties). In this exercise, you
are provided with the drawing of a screw calculation. Some values are selected
from tables, some are entered manually, and some are taken directly from the
drawing.
To open the initial drawing
Open the file tut_screw in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
356 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains the representation of a screw connection.
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
Problem for this exercise:
Two hollow shafts made of Cq 45 with forged coupling flanges are to be
connected by 13 hex-head bolts ISO 4017 M12 x 45 - 10.9, which are
arranged at a pitch diameter of 130 mm.
The through holes are according to ISO 273 close.
The bolts are safeguarded against loosening by gluing the threads ( =
0.14). The tightening takes place manually using a torque wrench (k = 1.8).
The flanged connection is to be designed for a alternating torque of T =
2405 Nm and non-skid (seal safety of plates 1).
Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations
To start the Screw Calculation
1 Start the Screw Calculation command.
Toolbutton
Content Calculations Screw Calculation Menu
AMSCREWCALC Command
Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations | 357
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select screw connection <Stand alone calculation>: Press ENTER
The Screw Calculation dialog box opens.
Specify the screw connection.
Selecting and Specifying Screws
In the Definition of SCREW section of the screw calculation, you can select
the screw standard and size and the material properties. You can also enter
the geometric properties of a user-defined screw, for example in detail.
To specify a screw
1 On the Screw: Geometry tab, choose Table of Screws.
2 In the Select a Screw dialog box, choose Hex Head Types, and then choose
ISO 4017 (Regular Thread).
3 In the Select a Row dialog box, choose the standard M12x45.
358 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
Choose OK.
The geometric values of the standard screw ISO 4017 M12x45 are entered.
Specify the property class.
4 Choose the Material tab and then specify:
Property class: DIN 10.9
The screw is specified completely.
Specify the nut.
Selecting and Specifying Screws | 359
5 Choose Next or the Definition of NUT icon in the top row to proceed.
Selecting and Specifying Nuts
In the Definition of NUT section of the screw calculation, you can select a nut
standard and size.
To specify a nut
1 On the Nut tab, choose Table of Nuts.
2 In the Select a Nut dialog box, choose Hex Nuts and ISO 4032 (Regular
Thread).
You do not need to specify a size, because the size is determined by the
screw size.
Specify the washers.
3 Choose Next or the Definition of WASHERS icon in the top row to
proceed.
360 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
Selecting and Specifying Washers
In the Definition of WASHERS section of the screw calculation, you can select
the washer standard and size and the positions of the washers.
To specify a washer
1 On the Washer under: Head 1 tab, clear the Washer check box.
2 Choose the Washer under: Nut 1 tab, and then choose Table of Washers.
3 In the Select a Washer dialog box, choose ISO 7091.
Specify the plates.
4 Choose Next or the Definition of PLATES icon in the top row to proceed.
Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties
In the Definition of PLATES section of the screw calculation, you can select
plate materials and their geometric properties.
Selecting and Specifying Washers | 361
To specify the plates
1 On the Plates tab, specify:
Hole: dh: 13
Number of Plates: 2
Height of plate 1 h1: 10
Height of plate 2 h2: 10
2 For the definition of both plate materials, choose Table.
3 In the Please Select a Part dialog box, choose DIN material.
4 Choose the material Cq 45, and then choose OK.
Specify the contact area.
5 On the Gaps and Chamfers tab, choose the pick button of the value gr.
6 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first point: Select the point (1)
Second point: Select the point (2) as shown in the following figure
362 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
The value for gr is changed to 17, as shown in the illustration.
7 Choose Next or the Definition of CONTACT AREA icon in the top row
to proceed.
Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties | 363
Specifying Contact Areas
In the Definition of CONTACT AREA section of the screw calculation, you
can specify the geometric properties of the contact area.
To specify the contact area
1 On the Contact Area tab, choose the Type icon.
2 In the Select the Type of Contact Area dialog box, choose the third of
the predefined icons.
3 Select the User Changes check box.
4 In the entry field, specify:
ang: 22.5
364 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
5 For the outer radius ro, choose the pick button next to the entry field
and respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first point: Select the point (1)
Second point: Select the point (2)
6 For the inner radius ri, choose the pick button next to the entry field and
respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify first point: Select the point (1)
Second point: Select the point (3)
Specify the loads and moments.
7 Choose Next or the Definition of LOADS icon in the top row to proceed.
Specifying Loads and Moments
In the Definition of LOADS section of the screw calculation, you can specify
the loads and moments and their points of application.
To specify loads and moments
1 On the Axial Loads tab, clear the Dynamic check box and specify:
Specifying Loads and Moments | 365
Axial force: FB: 0
2 Choose the Shear Loads tab and specify:
Torsion Moment T =: 185 [Nm]
Radius R: 65
Coefficient of Friction: mt=: 0.14
NOTE The torsion moment of 185 Nm results from the total torsion moment
of 2405 Nm as given in the terms of reference divided by the 13 bolts.
366 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
Specify the settlement.
3 Choose Next or the Definition of SETTLEMENT icon in the top row to
proceed.
Specifying Settlement Properties
In the Definition of SETTLEMENT section of the screw calculation, you can
specify settlement properties.
To specify the settlement
1 Activate Calculate from Roughness and >= 1.6 micro m.
Specifying Settlement Properties | 367
Specify the tightening.
2 Choose Next or the Definition of TIGHTEN icon in the top row to
proceed.
Specifying Tightening Properties
In the Definition of TIGHTEN section of the screw calculation, you can specify
the tightening method and properties.
To specify the tightening
1 Specify as follows:
Tightening Factor: kA=: 1.5
Coefficient of Friction: in Thread miG =: 0.12
368 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
Insert the result block.
2 Choose Next or the RESULTS icon in the top row to proceed.
Creating and Inserting Result Blocks
In the Results section of the screw calculation, you can take a look at the
results.
You have a complete overview of the results of the screw calculation.
Creating and Inserting Result Blocks | 369
Insert the result block.
To insert a result block
Choose Finish and respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify start point: Specify a point right of the screw connection
Specify next point <Symbol>: Press ENTER
The result block is inserted at the specified location.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter. Save your file.
370 | Chapter 18 Calculating Screw Connections
Calculating Stress Using
FEA
In this chapter In this tutorial, you calculate the stresses in a lever using the
finite element analysis (FEA) in AutoCAD

Mechanical. You
use the results to improve the design of the lever.
Key Terms
2D FEA
19
371
Key Terms
Definition Term
A load or force that is exerted over a certain length. distributed load
Finite Element Analysis. A calculation routine based on analyzing a rigid body
subject to loads and restraints for stress, strain, and deformation.
FEA
A support that prevents translation as well as rotation about all axes. fixed support
Force or moment acting on a member or body. load
A support that prevents rotation in all axes, but allows translation along one
axis.
movable support
A single edit command for the objects in your drawing. Power Edit
The force acting on a member or body per unit area. stress
2D FEA
To determine the stability and durability of a given structure under various
loading situations, you need to observe the stress and deformation in the
components while they are being loaded. A structure is considered to be
durable if the maximum stress is less than what the material permits.
There are various computational methods for calculating deformation and
stress conditions. One of these methods is called the Finite Element Analysis.
The knowledge gained from this stress rating may lead to changing the
structure in certain areas, which in turn necessitates changes to the design.
The FEA routine uses its own layer group for input and output.
Note that FEA is not designed for solving all special FEA tasks. Its purpose is
to provide you with a quick idea of the stress and deformation distributions.
NOTE The ISO standard parts have to be installed for this tutorial exercise.
372 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
For this exercise, work with mechanical structure disabled.
To open the initial drawing
1 Open the file tut_fea.dwg in the acadm\tutorial folder.
Toolbutton
File Open Menu
OPEN Command
The drawing contains a lever, which is the basis for your calculations.
2 Zoom in to the lever.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Window Menu
ZOOM Command
The complete lever is displayed on your screen.
2D FEA | 373
Save your file under a different name or to a different directory to preserve
the original tutorial file.
To regenerate the drawing
Activate the REGENALL command
View Regen All Menu
REGENALL Command
The drawing is regenerated.
Calculating Stress In Parts
Before you calculate the stress in a part, specify the border conditions.
To specify the border conditions
1 Activate the FEA calculation
Toolbutton
Content Calculations FEA Menu
AMFEA2D Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify interior point: Specify a point inside the contour
The FEA 2D Calculation dialog box opens so that you can define border
conditions and perform calculations.
374 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
Select the thickness and the material of the lever.
3 In the Default section, a thickness of 10.
4 In the Material section, choose Table. Select the material from your
preferred standard table, such as Al. Alloys Diecast if you choose ANSI
materials.
5 Choose Config to open the FEA Configuration dialog box, and specify:
Scale Factor for Symbols: 0.1
6 Choose OK to return to the FEA 2D - calculation dialog box.
Defining Loads and Supports
To perform calculations, you need to define the loads and supports.
To specify loads and supports
1 Choose the fixed line support button, and respond to the prompts
as follows:
Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (1)
Defining Loads and Supports | 375
Specify endpoint: Specify point (2)
Specify side from endpoint: Specify a point above the contour
2 Choose the movable line support button, and respond to the
prompts as follows:
Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>:
Hold down SHIFT, right-click and choose Quadrant, specify point (3)
Specify endpoint: Press ENTER to define the starting point as the endpoint
3 Choose the line force button, and respond to the prompts as
follows:
Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (5)
Specify endpoint: Specify point (4)
Specify side from endpoint:
Specify a point to the right of the specified points
Enter a new value <1000 N/mm>: Enter 500, press ENTER
376 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
4 Choose the line force button again, and respond to the prompts
as follows:
Specify insertion point <Enter=Dialogbox>: Specify point (6)
Specify endpoint: Specify point (7)
Specify side from endpoint:
Specify a point to the right of the specified points
Enter a new value <1000 N/mm>: Enter 500, press ENTER
Calculating Results
Before you calculate the results, generate a mesh.
NOTE If you calculate results without creating a mesh in advance, the mesh will
be created automatically.
To calculate the results
1 In the Mesh section, choose the mesh button, and then press
ENTER to return to the dialog box.
Calculating Results | 377
2 In the Results section, choose the isolines (isoareas) button.
3 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, select the Graphic
-Representation button on the right.
Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify base point <Return = in boundary>:
Press ENTER to place the isoareas in the boundary
Insertion point: Select a point to place the table to the left of the part
<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box
The result looks like this:
378 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
After calculation, the support forces are displayed near the support symbol.
Evaluating and Refining Mesh
The stress table allocation relative to the lever shows heavy concentration of
local stress near drawing points 8 and 9. Refine the mesh near these points to
obtain more exact calculation results for the points of interest.
To refine the mesh
1 In the Refining section, choose the left refining button, and
respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify center point 1 <Return=Continue>:
Specify a point near point 8
Specify center point 2 <Return=Continue>:
Specify a point near point 9
Evaluating and Refining Mesh | 379
Specify center point 3 <Return=Continue>:
Press ENTER to continue meshing
<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box
The mesh is refined at the specified points.
Recalculate the stress representation.
2 Choose the isolines (isoareas) button.
3 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, choose the Graphic
Representation button on the right.
Choose OK
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Press ENTER
Insertion point: To the left of the part, select a location for the table
<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box
380 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
Refining Designs
The results show a critical area around point 8 that can be improved by
applying a larger radius. Before changing the geometry, the results and
solutions have to be deleted.
To edit the geometry
1 Choose the Delete Solution button.
2 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose Yes to delete the solutions
and results.
3 In the AutoCAD Question dialog box, choose No to keep the loads and
supports.
4 Start Power Edit to change the radius, and respond to the prompt as
follows:
Toolbutton
Modify Power Commands Power Edit Menu
AMPOWEREDIT Command
Select object: Select the radius at point 8
Enter an option [Next/Accept] <Accept>:
Press ENTER to exit the command
Refining Designs | 381
5 In the Fillet Radius dialog box, specify:
Input: 10
Choose OK.
6 Respond to the prompt:
Select objects: Press ENTER to exit the command
The radius of the fillet is changed to 10.
7 Zoom to the extents of the drawing.
Toolbutton
View Zoom Extents Menu
ZOOM Command
Save your file.
Recalculating Stress
Before recalculating the stress division of the lever, calculate and display the
deformation.
382 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
To calculate the stress
1 Restart the FEA routine.
Toolbutton
Content Calculations FEA Menu
AMFEA2D Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify interior point: Specify a point inside the contour
Select the thickness and the material of the lever again, as you did it
before.
3 In the Default section, enter a thickness of 10.
4 Choose Table, and select the material from your preferred standard table.
Select Al. Alloys Diecast if you prefer to use ANSI materials.
5 Choose the deformation button in the Results field.
6 In the FEA 2D - Displacements dialog box, choose OK.
7 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Press ENTER
Insertion point: To the right of the part, select a location for the table
<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box
The result looks like this:
Recalculating Stress | 383
Recalculate the stress division of the lever.
1 Choose the isolines (isoareas) button.
2 In the FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box, choose the Graphic
Representation button on the right.
Choose OK.
384 | Chapter 19 Calculating Stress Using FEA
3 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify base point <Return = in boundary>: Press ENTER
Specify insertion point:
To the left of the part, select a location for the table
<Return>: Press ENTER to return to the dialog box
4 Choose Close to leave the FEA 2D - Calculation.
The final result looks like this:
NOTE You can return to the FEA 2D - Calculation using Power Edit.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
Recalculating Stress | 385
386
Designing and
Calculating Cams
In this chapter In this tutorial you use the automated cam design and
calculation functionality in AutoCAD

Mechanical to create Key Terms

Designing and Calculating
Cams
a cam, perform calculations, and generate data for NC
production.
20
387
Key Terms
Definition Term
Rate of change in velocity. acceleration
Types of gears for obtaining unusual and irregular motions that would be difficult
to produce otherwise.
cam
Geometric shape of the cam. curve path
Diagram illustrating the lift or rotation of the follower for each degree of rotation
or translation of the cam plate.
motion diagram
Part of the motion diagram. Some sections are defined by design. For example,
the maximum lift of 15 mm is reached at an angle of 90 degrees.
motion section
Numerical Control. Used in manufacturing to represent the control on machine
tool motion through numeric data for 2 to 5 axis machining.
NC
Controls the precision of curves. A low value increases computing time. Use a
higher value for initial design.
resolution
Graph of the speed of the straight driven element, or the rotation angle of a
rocker and the cam plate angle of rotation.
step width
Designing and Calculating Cams
With the cam design and calculation functionality in AutoCAD Mechanical,
you can implement all motions required in the scope of process control with
a minimum number of gear elements. The basis for systematic design
procedures is offered using standardized laws of movement in the development
of new cam gears.
With the automated cam features, you can create cams (linear, circular, and
cylindrical cams) based on sections drawn in a motion diagram. You can also
calculate velocity and acceleration of an existing section of the motion
diagram. The cam curve path can be determined with the calculated cam
388 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
sections. An existing curve path can be scanned and transferred in the motion
diagram. A driven element can be coupled to the cam. NC data can be created
using the curve path.
In the following exercise, you generate a circular cam and a swinging follower
with a single roller. You also calculate the spring of the follower. The cam and
the follower are inserted into the drawing together with the motion diagrams.
At the end you generate the NC data for the cam production.
Start with an ISO drawing template.
To open a template
1 Open a new drawing.
Toolbutton
File New Menu
NEW Command
2 The Select template dialog box opens. Select the template am_iso.dwt and
click Open. This creates a new drawing based on the am_iso template.
Use Save As to save the drawing file with an appropriate name.
Starting Cam Designs and Calculations
To start a cam design and calculation
1 Open the cam design and calculation tool.
Toolbutton
Content Cams Menu
AMCAM Command
Specify the cam type.
2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, on the Cam tab, specify:
Type: Circular
In the Type of Cam dialog box, click the center Circular icon and specify:
Revolutions [1/min]: 100
Drawn: Select the check box
Starting Cam Designs and Calculations | 389
Diameter of Body [mm]: 50
3 Choose the Follower button.
NOTE You can also step through the dialog using the Next button.
4 On the Follower tab, Movement section, click the Translating button.
5 In the Type of Follower dialog box, choose the Swinging button. You are
returned to the CAM Design and Calculation dialog box.
390 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
Specify the following settings.
6 Choose the Profile button, and define the profile.
You can select between a power-contact profile (inner or outer) or a
form-contact profile (both outer). Specify an inner profile, which requires
a spring to keep contact.
Specify the following settings.
Starting Cam Designs and Calculations | 391
7 Choose the Location button.
The dialog box is hidden so you can specify a location for the cam and
the follower in the drawing.
8 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify center of cam: 100,100, press ENTER
Specify center of follower swing [Undo]: @100,0, press ENTER
Specify start of movement [Undo]: @90<157.36, press ENTER
Specify origin of movement diagram [Undo/Window] <Window>:
Specify a point next to the cam
Specify length of movement diagram [Undo]: @360,0, press ENTER
The cam and the follower are inserted into the drawing with the motion
diagram. Your drawing looks like this:
The Cam Design and Calculation dialog box is opened again.
392 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
Defining Motion Sections
Define five motion sections to describe the cam.
To specify motions
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, choose the Motions
button, and then choose the New button.
In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, you can either
insert or append a new motion section.
Defining Motion Sections | 393
2 Choose Append.
Define the first motion section.
3 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings.
Position [deg] <from - to> 0 -: 90
Elevation [deg] 0 -: 0
Choose OK.
The motion is inserted into the drawing and you are reverted back to the
Cam Design and Calculation dialog.
Define the next motions to describe the cam.
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, choose New.
394 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
2 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, choose Append.
3 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings.
Position [deg] <from - to> 90 -: 150
Elevation [deg] 0 -: 5
4 Click the Context of Follower movement button.
5 Choose Dwell - Constant Velocity (second button from left).
Defining Motion Sections | 395
6 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings.
Curve: 5th polynomial
Velocity [rad/s] 0 -: 2
Choose OK.
The next motion section has to be Constant Velocity, since the motion
section before is Dwell - Constant Velocity.
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, choose New.
2 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, choose Append.
3 In the Motion - New mode dialog, specify the following settings.
Position [deg] <from - to> 150 -: 180
Elevation [deg] 5 -: 8
396 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
4 Click the Context of Follower movement button.
5 Choose Constant Velocity (leftmost button).
The routine recalculates the elevation and inserts the correct value 10.73.
Choose OK.
Define the next motion section.
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, choose New.
2 In the Select Method to Add New Segment dialog box, choose Append.
3 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings.
Position [deg] <from - to> 180 -: 220
Elevation [deg] 10.73 -: 16
4 Click the Context of Follower movement button, and then choose
Constant Velocity - Reverse (fourth button from left).
Defining Motion Sections | 397
5 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings.
Acceleration [rad/s^2] 0 -: -60
Choose OK.
Define the last motion section to complete the 360 degrees.
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Motion tab, choose New.
2 In the Select Method to Add New Section dialog box, choose Append.
3 In the Motion - New mode dialog, specify the following settings.
Position [deg] <from - to> 220 -: 360
Elevation [deg] 16-: 0
4 Click the Context of Follower movement button.
The routine calculates the correct values for the end position.
5 In the Motion - New mode dialog box, specify the following settings.
Curve: Harmonic Combination
398 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
Choose OK.
The definition of the motion section is complete, and all motion sections are
displayed in the list.
The definition of the geometry is finished.
Calculating Strength for Springs
To calculate the strength for the spring
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, select the Strength check
box, and then click the Strength button.
Calculating Strength for Springs | 399
2 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, Loads tab, specify:
External Force [N] Fe =: 20
Reduced Mass of the Follower [kg] mf =: 0.1
Reduced Inert Mass [kg] mi =: 0.07
3 On the Spring tab, specify:
Preload [N] F0 =: 10
Mass of Spring [kg] ms =: 0.08
Spring Location [mm] ls =: 45
Spring Rate: Select the User Change check box, and then enter 30
400 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
4 On the Material tab, you can specify the material for cam and roller. In
this case, use the default material.
5 On the Arm tab, specify:
Dimensions of Arm [mm] d =: 8
NOTE You can choose other types of cross sections for the arms.
6 Choose Results, and then choose Calculation.
All calculation results are displayed on the respective tabs:
Displays the geometric properties and enables to
optimize the cam position.
Geometry
Calculating Strength for Springs | 401
Displays the factor of safety to pressure. You can
display the pressure at any point of the cam by
Pressure
choosing Simulation and dragging the mouse
pointer over the motion graphs.
Displays the resonance frequency and the safety
against resonance effects.
Frequency
Displays the loads on the shaft as well as the neces-
sary drive power for the cam. You can display the
Shaft
shaft loads at any point of the cam by choosing
Simulation and dragging the mouse pointer over
the cam.
Displays the stress on the arm. You can display the
arm stress at any point of the cam by choosing
Arm
Simulation and dragging the mouse pointer over
the cam.
Displays the middle normal force on the bearing. Bearing
Displays the results of the spring calculation. You
can display the results at any point of the cam by
Spring
choosing Simulation and dragging the mouse
pointer over the cam.
Generates a 3D body of the cam. 3D Cam
The Calculation button gives you the results of your design. To optimize
your design, you can choose to generate the correct size of the cam based
on the pressure angle and the radius of curvature.
To generate a cam design based on pressure angle and radius of curvature
1 Click the Calculation button.
To optimize the size of the cam, the pressure angle from your design must
be less than or equal to a certain value (automatically calculated and
displayed at the bottom of the cam Design and Calculation dialog box)
while the radius of curvature must be greater than or equal to a certain
value (automatically calculated and displayed at the bottom of the cam
Design and Calculation dialog box).
2 Click the Results button.
3 In the Geometry tab, click the Center of Cam button.
Two hatched open triangles are displayed on the screen.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
402 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
Press ESC or ENTER to exit, or [Change center of cam]:
Enter C, press ENTER
Specify center of cam <100,100>: Press ENTER
5 Snap to the apex of the triangle that produces a maximal pressure angle
less than or equal to the recommended value and a minimal radius of
curvature greater than or equal to the recommended value.
Exporting Cam Data and Viewing Results
To export TXT cam data for an NC machine
1 In the Cam Design and Calculation dialog box, click Export.
On the File tab, specify:
Export Curves: Inner
Precision [mm]: 0.01
Data Type: File: TXT
Data Type: Coordinates: Polar
Choose Generate File.
2 In the Save As dialog box, specify a descriptive file name and a location.
Choose Save.
The cam is completely designed and calculated.
Exporting Cam Data and Viewing Results | 403
3 To view the results, choose Finish, and then respond to the prompt as
follows:
Specify insertion point of result table:
Specify a location for the result table
The table of results is inserted into the drawing.
This is the end of the tutorial chapter.
Save your file.
404 | Chapter 20 Designing and Calculating Cams
Autodesk Inventor Link
In this part The tutorial in this section teaches you how to import an
Autodesk Inventor

file and generate drawing views from Using Autodesk Inventor

Link Support
them for documentation. The Autodesk Inventor assembly
and part drawings required for this tutorial are available in
the Acadm/tutorial/tut_bracket folder of the AutoCAD

Mechanical installation folder.

405
406
Using Autodesk Inventor
Link Support
In this chapter In this chapter, you learn how to enable AutoCAD

Mechanical to create views and documentation for Autodesk

Inventor

assemblies and parts.

Key Terms
Linking Autodesk Inventor
Part Files
Exporting Drawing Views
to AutoCAD
Linking Autodesk Inventor
Assembly Files
Updating Autodesk
Inventor Parts
21
407
Key Terms
Definition Term
A type of dimension associated with an Autodesk Inventor part model. Parametric
dimensions control the size and positions of geometry. If the dimension value
parametric dimensions
is changed, the size and position of the geometry adjusts to reflect the new
value. Parametric dimensions can be changed only from Autodesk Inventor.
A command useful for generating linear, radial, and diameter dimensions, which
minimizes the number of individual actions while generating a dimension. Power
power dimensioning
dimensioning automatically selects the type of linear dimension (horizontal,
vertical, or aligned), based on the selected point.
A type of dimension that indicates the size and position of geometry. Reference
dimensions do not control the geometry size or position, but follow them in-
reference dimensions
stead. The type of dimensions created with power dimensioning commands
are reference dimensions.
A file with predefined settings to use for new drawings. However, any drawing
can be used as a template.
template
A title block contains a series of attributes. Some already have values. The pre-
assigned values can be modified, and the vacant attributes can be completed
with new values.
title block
A scaled view of the model defined in a layout. viewport
The scale of the base drawing relative to the model scale. Also, the scale of de-
pendent views relative to the base view.
view scale
Linking Autodesk Inventor Part Files
With Autodesk Inventor link support, you can create views of Autodesk
Inventor part files while maintaining full model to drawing associativity. Note
that the exercises in this chapter can be done only if AutoCAD Mechanical
was installed with the Install Autodesk Inventor link option enabled. If
408 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
Autodesk Inventor link support is not installed, an error message is displayed
when you select the New Inventor link option on the File menu.
To link an Autodesk Inventor part file
1 Create a link to the file Holder Bracket.ipt in the acadm\tutorial\.
2 Tut_Bracket\Bracket Components folder.
Menu File New Inventor Link
3 In the Select template dialog box, click the template am_ansi.dwt, then
click Open.
4 In the Link Autodesk Inventor File dialog box, click Holder Bracket.ipt,
then click Open.
Shading and Rotating Geometry
Use the Mechanical View toolbar to shade and rotate geometry.
To shade a part
1 Activate the Mechanical View toolbar.
Shading and Rotating Geometry | 409
Menu View Toolbars Mechanical View
2 Click the Toggle Shading/Wireframe button to shade the part.
Use the 3D Orbit tool to rotate the part.
To rotate a part
1 Select the 3D Orbit tool from the Mechanical View toolbar.
2 Place the cursor in the appropriate location inside or on the Arcball.
3 Click and hold the left mouse button, then rotate the part to a position
that resembles the following illustration.
4 Right-click, then select Exit from the menu.
Inserting Drawing Borders
If the mechanical browser isnt visible, complete the following steps.
View Display Mechanical Browser Menu
AMBROWSER Command
Desktop browser? [ON/OFf/Auto hide] <ON>: Type ON
410 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
To insert a drawing border
1 Click the Drawing tab in the browser.
2 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Drawing Title/Revisions Drawing
Title/Borders
Menu
AMTITLE Command
3 In the Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box, specify:
Paper Format: C (17.0x22.0 inch)
Title Block: US Title Block
Scale: 1:1
4 Choose OK.
5 In the Page Setup Manager dialog box, select Layout1, then click Modify.
Inserting Drawing Borders | 411
6 In the Page Setup - Layout1 dialog box, specify the following value:
Paper size: ANSI C (22.00 x 17.00 Inches)
412 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
7 Choose OK to exit the Page Setup Manager.
8 Click Close.
9 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Enter -0.25,-0.75, press ENTER
10 In the Change Title Block Entry dialog box, click Next.
11 In the next page specify:
File Name: InventorPart
Inserting Drawing Borders | 413
12 Choose OK.
13 In the Save Title Block Filename dialog box, verify the following settings:
File Name: InventorPart.dwg
File of Type: Drawing (*.dwg)
14 Choose Save.
Creating Drawing Views
You can create a variety of drawing view for a part. Any changes made to the
part in Autodesk Inventor are automatically updated in the drawing views,
when the .dwg file is updated.
When you create a drawing view, the link reads parametric dimensions from
the model and adds them to the view.
To enable creation of parametric dimensions
1 Open the Options dialog box
Menu Assist Options
OPTIONS or AMOPTIONS Command
2 Select the AM:Drawing tab.
414 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
3 Under Parametric Dimension Display, select the Active Part Views check
box.
4 Choose OK.
To create a base view
1 Open the AMDWGVIEW command.
Toolbutton
Drawing New View Menu
Right-click a Layout icon in the Drawing tab, then
choose New View.
Browser
AMDWGVIEW Command
2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify:
View Type: Base
Data Set: Select
Layout: Layout1
Creating Drawing Views | 415
Orientation: Back
Scale: 2.0000
3 Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify location for base view:
Click in the lower left corner of the graphics area, press ENTER
416 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
The base view is placed in the lower-left corner of the drawing. Parametric
dimensions extracted from the Inventor Part file are displayed.
Creating Drawing Views | 417
Create an orthogonal view from the base view.
To create an orthogonal view type
1 Open the AMDWGVIEW command.
Toolbutton
Drawing New View Menu
Right-click the Base icon in the Drawing tab, then
choose New View.
Browser
Right-click in the graphics area, then choose New
View.
Context Menu
AMDWGVIEW Command
2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify:
View Type: Ortho
418 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
3 Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select parent view: Select the base view
Specify location for orthogonal view:
Drag to a location above the base view, click to select location
Specify location for orthogonal view: Press ENTER
Creating Drawing Views | 419
The view is placed in the upper-left corner of the drawing. Parametric
dimensions read from the Autodesk Inventor part are displayed
420 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
Working with Dimensions
Some of the dimensions need rearranging, while a few may be redundant.
You may also need to create dimensions for some entities. Dimensions you
add yourself are called reference dimensions. If the part is modified in Autodesk
Inventor, these dimensions automatically display the correct part size.
To delete a parametric dimension
1 In the orthogonal view, click the dimension that reads .0450 and press
DELETE. The dimension is deleted.
Working with Dimensions | 421
NOTE The dimension you deleted may have been entered as a sketch
dimension orginally, and extruded later resulting in the redundancy of
dimensions.
To move dimensions
1 Click the diameter dimension of 0.8800.
Three grip points are displayed on the dimension.
2 Drag the middle grip outside the bracket, and click. The dimension should
be displayed as shown in the following image.
422 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
3 You may want to rearrange all the dimensions to tidy up the drawing
view.
To add a hole note
1 Start the Leader note command.
Menu Annotate Leader Note
AMNOTE Command
Working with Dimensions | 423
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Select object to attach [rEorganize]:
In the orthogonal view, click the center of the hole in the middle (1), drag to a
placement point (2), click and press ENTER
The Note Symbol ANSI dialog box is displayed.
3 Click OK. The Hole Note is added.
NOTE The note text is automatically generated with details extracted from
the part file.
To create a vertical reference dimension
1 Start the power dimensioning command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(Single) Specify first extension line origin or
[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <Select>: Press ENTER
Select arc, line, circle or dimension:
In the orthogonal view, click the end points of the line (1 & 2 shown in the
figure below)
Specify dimension line location of [Options/Pickobj]:
Drag the dimension line to the right until it is highlighted in red and click (3)
424 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click OK.
4 Press ENTER twice to exit the command.
NOTE Parametric dimensions and reference dimensions are shown in different
colors.
To create a radial reference dimension
1 Start the power dimensioning command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Power Dimensioning Menu
AMPOWERDIM Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
(Single) Specify first extension line origin or
[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/Update] <Select>: Press ENTER
Select arc, line, circle or dimension:
In the base view, click the circle indicating the hole (1), drag the dimension to
a placement point (2) and click
3 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, click OK.
Exporting Drawing Views to AutoCAD
It is possible to export a drawing view of a linked drawing such that it can be
viewed in AutoCAD

or AutoCAD

LT.
Exporting Drawing Views to AutoCAD | 425
To export a drawing view
1 Start the AMVIEWOUT command.
Menu Drawing Export Views
Right-click the Base icon in the Drawing tab, then
choose Export.
Browser
AMVIEWOUT Command
2 In the Export Drawing Views dialog box, from the Source drop-down list,
select Select Views/Entities, then click Select.
The dialog box is hidden.
3 Respond to the prompts:
Select objects to export <all views>: Select the base view
Select objects to export <all views>: Press ENTER
You are returned to the Export Drawing Views dialog box.
4 In the File Name box, enter the name of a drawing file to export to.
5 Click OK.
6 Save the file.
426 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
7 Close AutoCAD Mechanical, start AutoCAD and open the file that you
created in step 5.
Linking Autodesk Inventor Assembly Files
To link an Autodesk Inventor assembly file
1 Create a link to the file Bracket.iam in the acadm\tutorial\tut_Bracket
folder.
File New Inventor link Menu
2 In the Select template dialog box, click the template am_ansi.dwt, then
click Open.
The Link Autodesk Inventor File dialog box is displayed.
3 In files Files of style list, select *.iam.
4 Locate and click Bracket.iam, then click Open.
To shade and rotate the assembly
1 Click the Toggle Shading/Wireframe button to shade the part.
Use the 3D orbit tool to rotate the part.
2 Select the 3D Orbit tool from the Mechanical View toolbar.
3 Place the cursor in the appropriate location inside or on the Arcball.
4 Click and hold the left mouse button, then rotate the part to a position
that resembles the following illustration.
Linking Autodesk Inventor Assembly Files | 427
Accessing Parts from the Browser
To select a part from the browser
1 Click a part in the browser. The part is highlighted in model space.
2 Right-click a part and select Zoom-to. The display zooms to the part.
Accessing iProperties
When the assembly file is linked, AutoCAD Mechanical is able to access
iProperties through its Bill of Materials (BOM).
To access iProperties
1 Start the BOM command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Part List Tools BOM Database Menu
AMBOM Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify BOM to create or set current [Main/?] <MAIN>: Press ENTER
The BOM dialog box is displayed.
428 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
3 Click the + sign in the first column to expand the row.
4 Click Settings. The BOM Settings dialog box is displayed.
Accessing iProperties | 429
5 Click the More button to display More Properties dialog box.
6 Select Part Number and click OK. You are returned to the BOM dialog
box. Notice the additional row in the available component properties
list.
430 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
7 Save the file as Inventor Assembly.dwg.
Inserting Drawing Borders
To insert a drawing border
1 Click the Drawing tab in the browser.
2 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Drawing Title/Revisions Drawing
Title/Borders
Menu
AMTITLE Command
3 In the Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box, specify:
Paper Format: C (17.0x22.0 inch)
Title Block: US Title Block
Scale: 1:1
Inserting Drawing Borders | 431
Retrieve from Assembly Properties: Select
4 Click OK.
5 In the Page Setup Manager dialog box, select Layout1, then click Modify.
6 In the Page Setup - Layout1 dialog box, specify the following value:
Paper size: ANSI C (22.00 x 17.00 Inches)
7 Choose OK to exit the Page Setup Manager.
8 Click Close.
9 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Specify insertion point: Enter -0.25,-0.75, press ENTER
10 In the Change Title Block Entry dialog box click Next.
Observe how the drawing title is displayed using information extracted
from the Autodesk Inventor assembly file.
Creating Parts Lists and Balloons
You can create a variety of drawing view types for a part, but you must create
a base view first. Subsequent changes made to the assembly file in Autodesk
Inventor are automatically updated in the drawing views when the drawing
file is updated.
432 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
To create a base view
1 Create a base view.
Toolbutton
Drawing New View Menu
Right-click a Layout icon in the Drawing tab, then
choose New View.
Browser
AMDWGVIEW Command
2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify:
View Type: Base
Data Set: Select
Layout: Layout1
Orientation: Top
Scale: 2.0000
3 Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify location for base view:
Click in the lower left corner of the graphics area, press ENTER
Creating Parts Lists & Balloons | 433
The base view is placed in the lower-left corner of the drawing.
To create the parts list
1 Start the Parts List command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Parts List Menu
AMPARTLIST Command
The Part List ANSI dialog box is displayed.
2 Click OK.
3 Move the cursor to position the parts lists above the title block, then click
to insert the parts list.
434 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
To create balloons
1 Start the Balloon command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Parts List Tools Balloons Menu
AMBALLOON Command
2 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select part/assembly or
[auTo/autoAll/Collect/Manual/One/Renumber/rEorganize]: Enter A
Select pick object: Window select the entire assembly
Select pick object: Press ENTER
3 Place the balloons horizontally above the assembly.
Creating Parts Lists & Balloons | 435
Creating Breakout Section Views
A breakout section view shows hidden details by cutting away portions that
block their visibility. In this exercise, you indicate the section to remove by
creating a cut line on one view and marking the depth of the cut on another
view. Once the breakout section view is generated, you create an isometric
view for it.
To create the base view and orthogonal view:
1 Click the Drawing tab in the browser and double-click Layout 2.
2 Start the Drawing Title/Borders command.
Toolbutton
Annotate Drawing Title/Revisions Drawing
Title/Borders
Menu
AMTITLE Command
436 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
The Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog box is displayed
3 Create a new drawing border for Layout2, following the procedure
outlined in Inserting Drawing Borders (page 410).
To create a base view and orthogonal view
1 Start the AMDWGVIEW command.
Toolbutton
Drawing Multiple Views Menu
Right-click the Layout2 icon in the Drawing tab,
then choose New View.
Browser
AMDWGVIEW Command
2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify:
View Type: Multiple
Data Set: Select
Layout: Layout2
Scale: 1.5
Display Hidden Lines: Clear the check box
3 Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompt as follows:
Select planar face, work plane or
[sTandard view/Ucs/View/worldXy/worldYz/worldZx]: Enter X
Select work axis, straight edge or [worldX/worldY/worldZ]:
Enter X
Adjust orientation [Flip/Rotate] <Accept>: Press ENTER
Specify location of base view:
Position the view in the lower left corner of the graphics area and click
Specify location of base view or [Done] <next view>: Press ENTER
Specify location of projected view or [New parent view]:
Drag to a location above the base view, click to select location
Specify location of projected view or [Done] <next view>:
Creating Breakout Section Views | 437
Press ENTER
Specify location of projected view or [New parent view]:
Press ENTER
To create the cut line:
1 Start the creation of a polyline.
Menu Design Polyline
PLINE Command
2 Respond to the prompts as follows:
Specify start point: Click point (1)
Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Click point (2)
Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Click point (3)
Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Enter close and press ENTER
438 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
A closed polyline is created.
To create a breakout section view
1 Create a base view type.
Toolbutton
Drawing New View Menu
Right-click the Ortho icon in the Drawing tab, then
choose New View.
Browser
Right-click in the graphics area, then choose New
View.
Context Menu
AMDWGVIEW Command
2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify:
View Type: Base
3 On the Section Tab, specify
Type: Breakout
Creating Breakout Section Views | 439
Hatch: Selected
4 Click OK.
5 Respond to the prompts:
Select first parent view for breakout view:
Select the orthogonal view
Specify location of base view:
Drag just above the base view, click to select the location and press ENTER
Select polyline to use as cutline:
Click the polyline you created in the previous exercise (1)
Select second parent view for depth selection:
Select the base view (2)
Select point for depth of section: Select point (3)
The breakout section view is created.
440 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
To create an isometric view of the breakout section view:
1 Create an isometric view type.
Toolbutton
Drawing New View Menu
Right-click the Section icon in the Drawing tab,
then choose New View.
Browser
Right-click in the graphics area, then choose New
View.
Context Menu
AMDWGVIEW Command
2 In the Create Drawing View dialog box, specify:
View Type: Iso
3 Choose OK.
4 Respond to the prompts:
Select parent view: Select the breakout section view
Creating Breakout Section Views | 441
Specify location of base view:
Drag to the left of the orthogonal view, click and Press ENTER
NOTE The details shown in the view that is generated depend on where you
place the view. When you drag to the left, the isometric view that is generated
reveals a hole and a screw. They would not be visible if you placed the view
elsewhere.
The isometric view is created.
5 Move the isometric view to the right of the orthogonal view.
Menu Drawing Move View
In the Drawing tab, right-click the Iso icon, then
choose Move.
Browser
Right-click in the graphics area, then choose Move
View.
Context Menu
AMMOVEVIEW Command
6 Respond to the prompts:
Select view to move: Select the isometric view
442 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
Specify new view location:
Drag to the right of the orthogonal view, click and press ENTER
Modifying Breakout Section Views
The cut line used to generate the breakout section view can be modified and
breakout section view regenerated. Under normal circumstances, the cut line
is not visible. To modify the cut line, you must display it first.
To display the cutline:
1 Start the Edit Paper Space Cut Line command.
Browser Right-click the Section icon in the Drawing tab,
then choose Re-Select Cutline.
AMEDITPSCUTLINE Command
2 Respond to the prompts:
Select broken-out section view: Click the breakout section view
Modifying Breakout Section Views | 443
Enter an option for paperspace cutline [Display/Select]
<Display>: Press ENTER
The cut line is displayed.
3 Modify the cutline to any shape you want it to be.
4 Start the Edit Paper Space Cut Line command.
Browser Right-click the Section icon in the Drawing tab,
and then choose Re-Select Cutline.
AMEDITPSCUTLINE Command
5 Respond to the prompts.
Select broken-out section view: Click the breakout section view
Enter an option for paperspace cutline [Display/Select]
<Display>: Enter S
Select polyline to use as cutline: Click the edited polyline
The breakout section view and the isometric view update.
444 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
Removing Views
You can remove views, even though that view may have been used to derive
other views.
To delete the base view:
1 Right-click the base view icon in the browser and select Delete. The Delete
dependent views dialog box is displayed.
2 Click No. The base view is deleted.
3 Save the file and close AutoCAD Mechanical.
Removing Views | 445
Updating Autodesk Inventor Parts
If you have access to Autodesk Inventor (version 8 or above), you can modify
the part file using Autodesk Inventor, then update the part in AutoCAD
Mechanical to reflect the change.
To edit a dimension using Autodesk Inventor
1 Open Holder Bracket.ipt in Autodesk Inventor.
2 Edit a feature.
3 Save the modified part file.
When the part file has been modified outside AutoCAD Mechanical, on the
browser, the affected views are highlighted in yellow. Additionally, a balloon
is displayed on the status bar informing you that a newer version is now
available. To bring in the modifications, you must update the part file.
To update the part file
1 Use AutoCAD Mechanical to open the Assembly file or Part file that was
used in this exercise.
2 Observe how the browser indicates the parts and views affected by the
part modification.
3 Start the update command.
Browser Right-click the yellow part node, then choose Up-
date.
AMIVUPDATE Command
4 Verify that your part has been modified.
You are notified of the number of drawing views that have been updated.
Save your file.
This is the end of this tutorial chapter.
446 | Chapter 21 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support
Layer Specifications
In this appendix This appendix contains a list of the layer specifications for
AutoCAD

Mechanical.
Layer Specification Listing
A
447
Layer Specification Listing
The AutoCAD Mechanical layer system is comprised of the following layers:
Base Lineweight Linetype Color Name Description
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
7 AM_0 Contour
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
14 AM_1 Contour
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
5 AM_2 Contour
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO:
AM_ISO02W050
ANSI: Hidden
6 AM_3 Hidden
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
3 AM_4 Auxiliary Line
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
3 AM_5 Dimension/
Annotation
no ISO:
0.35mm/ANSI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
2 AM_6 Text
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO:
AM_ISO08W050
ANSI: Center
4 AM_7 Centerline
448 | Appendix A Layer Specifications
Base Lineweight Linetype Color Name Description
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
1 AM_8 Hatch
no 0 ISO: Continuous 253 AM_9 Behind
ANSI: Continuous
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO:
AM_ISO08W050
ANSI: Center
7 AM_10 Section Line
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO:
AM_ISO09W050
ANSI: Phantom2
3 AM_11 Phantom
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
7 AM_12 Part Reference
Objects
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
7 AM_0N Std. Parts: Con-
tour
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
14 AM_1N Std. Parts: Con-
tour
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
5 AM_2N Std. Parts: Con-
tour
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO:
AM_ISO02W050
ANSI: Hidden
6 AM_3N Std. Parts: Hid-
den
Layer Specification Listing | 449
Base Lineweight Linetype Color Name Description
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
3 AM_4N Std. Parts: Auxili-
ary Line
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
3 AM_5N Std. Parts: Di-
mension /An-
notation
no ISO:
0.35mm/ANSI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
2 AM_6N Std. Parts: Text
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO:
AM_ISO08W050
ANSI: Center
4 AM_7N Std. Parts:
Centerline
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
1 AM_8N Std. Parts: Hatch
no 0 ISO: Continuous 253 AM_9N Std. Parts: Be-
hind ANSI: Continuous
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO:
AM_ISO08W050
ANSI: Center
7 AM_10N Std. Parts: Sec-
tion Line
no ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO:
AM_ISO09W050
ANSI: Phantom2
3 AM_11N Std. Parts:
Phantom
no ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
7 AM_12N Std. Parts: Part
Reference Ob-
jects
450 | Appendix A Layer Specifications
Base Lineweight Linetype Color Name Description
yes ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Amconstr
ANSI: Amconstr
1 AM_CL Construction
Line
yes ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
4 AM_PAREF Part Reference
yes ISO: 0.5mm/AN-
SI:
0.3mm=0.012
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
7 AM_BOR Border/Title
Block
yes ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
1 AM_VIEWS Viewport
yes 0 ISO: Continuous 253 AM_INV Behind (extra)
ANSI: Continuous
yes ISO:
0.25mm/ANSI:
0.15mm=0.006
ISO: Continuous
ANSI: Continuous
3 AM_TR Trailing Line
Layer Specification Listing | 451
452
Title Block Attributes
In this appendix This appendix helps you to learn about the AutoCAD

Mechanical title block attributes.

Attributes for Title Blocks
B
453
Attributes for Title Blocks
AutoCAD Mechanical offers several different title blocks you can choose from.
To customize these title blocks, it is important to understand their attributes.
This appendix will give you an overview which text and attributes are available
in a title block, and their location within the title block structure.
When a title block drawing is inserted, it is displayed with attributes, curly
brackets, and text messages, that refer to the message files from which the
attribute is called.
Attribute Definitions
The following definitions are assigned to the attributes used in the title block:
Attribute Definitions for Title Block and Drawing Border
Definition Attribute
Drawing Number GEN-TITLE-NR
File Name GEN-TITLE-DWG
Material GEN-TITLE-MAT1
Material (second line) GEN-TITLE-MAT2
Drawing Name GEN-TITLE-DES1
454 | Appendix B Title Block Attributes
Attribute Definitions for Title Block and Drawing Border
Subtitle GEN-TITLE-DES2
Name of the Draftsperson GEN-TITLE-NAME
Quantity GEN-TITLE-QTY
Scale Factor GEN-TITLE-SCA
Position Number GEN-TITLE-POSI
Checked By GEN-TITLE-CHKM
Check Date GEN-TITLE-CHKD
Completion Date GEN-TITLE-DAT
Page GEN-TITLE-SHEET
Plot Date GEN-TITLE-PLOT
Curly Brackets
The curly brackets behind the attribute display the ratio of the defined width
for the text to the text height.
Example: If you want to enter a text with the height of 5 units, and the width
of the available space is 100 units, the value {20} has to be entered. In this
case the text is fit exactly. If a text with a greater height is inserted afterwards
(for example 8), the value in the curly brackets also has to be adjusted (to
{12.5}); otherwise, the text is displayed outside the available space.
Curly Brackets | 455
Message Files
Message files are text files that contain the attributes which are displayed in
the Change Title Block Entry dialog when you are inserting a drawing border.
These attributes change, depending on the selected drawing border and
standard.
The message files can be found in the acadm/translator directory. You can
modify or extend the message files to meet your specifications.
456 | Appendix B Title Block Attributes
Accelerator and Shortcut
Keys
In this appendix Use this appendix as a guide to the AutoCAD

Mechanical
accelerator keys and shortcut keys.
Accelerator Keys
C
457
Accelerator Keys
Many frequently used commands are accessible using automated shortcuts
known as accelerator keys. Accelerator keys are available for AutoCAD as well
as for AutoCAD

Mechanical.
WARNING Accelerator keys are loaded when you install AutoCAD Mechanical.
Accelerator keys specific to AutoCAD Mechanical are appended at the end of the
acad.pgp file. If you have created custom accelerator keys with the same letter
combinations as those in the following table, they will be superseded because the
last entry in the file is activated by the keystrokes. To restore custom accelerator
keys, move the definition to the end of the acad.pgp file.
To use an accelerator key to start a command
1 On the command line, enter the key(s) that correspond to the command
you want to use.
2 Press ENTER, the spacebar, or the right mouse button to execute the
command.
Accelerator keys available in AutoCAD Mechanical
Command Function Key
AMBALLOON Place Balloon bal
AMCENCRHOLE Centerline Cross with Hole cb
AMCHAM2D Chamfer cha
AMCENTLINE Centerline cl
AMCONSTLINES Draw C-Lines clin
AMCLINEO C-Lines ON/OFF cloo
AMMANIPULATE Copy+Rotate+Move cr
AMCENCROSS Centerline Cross cs
458 | Appendix C Accelerator and Shortcut Keys
Accelerator keys available in AutoCAD Mechanical
Command Function Key
AMPOWERDIM_ANG Angle Dimensioning dan
AMAUTODIM Automatic Dimensioning dau
AMDIMMEDIT Multi Edit dmed
AMFILLET2D Fillet f
AMUSERHATCH User Defined Hatch h
AMLAYINVO Invisible Lines ON/OFF hioo
AMLAYER Layer AM_0 l0
AMLAYER Layer AM_1 l1
AMLAYER Layer AM_2 l2
AMLAYER Layer AM_3 l3
AMLAYER Layer AM_4 l4
AMLAYER Layer AM_5 l5
AMLAYER Layer AM_6 l6
AMLAYER Layer AM_7 l7
AMLAYER Layer AM_8 l8
AMLAYER Layer AM_10 l10
AMLAYER Layer AM_11 l11
Accelerator Keys | 459
Accelerator keys available in AutoCAD Mechanical
Command Function Key
AMLIBRARY Library lib
AMLAYER Layer/Layer Group Control lg
AMLGMOVE Move to another Layer Group lgmo
AMLAYVISENH Layer Group Visibility lgv
AMLAYMOVE Move to another Layer lmo
AMOFFSET Offset o
3DORBIT 3DOrbit oo
AMPARTREF Create Part Reference par
AMPOWERCOPY Power Copy pc
AMPOWERDIM Power Dimensioning pd
AMPOWEREDIT Power Edit ped
AMPOWERERASE Power Erase per
AMPOWERRECALL Power Recall prc
AMLAYPARTREFO Part Reference Layer ON/OFF proo
AMPOWERSNAP Power Snap Settings 1-4 pss
AMDWGVIEW Create View Q
AMEDITVIEW Edit View QQ
460 | Appendix C Accelerator and Shortcut Keys
Accelerator keys available in AutoCAD Mechanical
Command Function Key
AMRECTANG Rectangle rec
AMPSNAP1 Power Snap Settings 1 s1
AMPSNAP2 Power Snap Settings 2 s2
AMPSNAP3 Power Snap Settings 3 s3
AMPSNAP4 Power Snap Settings 4 s4
AMSCMONITOR Scale Monitor sm
AMLAYPARTO Standard Parts Layer ON/OFF stoo
AMLAYTIBLO Title Block Layer ON/OFF tioo
AMLANGCONV Language Converter txl
AMUNIT_0 Units 0 u0
AMUNIT_1 Units 1 u1
AMUNIT_2 Units 2 u2
AMUNIT_3 Units 3 u3
AMUNIT_4 Units 4 u4
AMVIEWUL Upper Left v1
AMVIEWUR Upper Right v2
AMVIEWLL Lower Left v3
Accelerator Keys | 461
Accelerator keys available in AutoCAD Mechanical
Command Function Key
AMVIEWLR Lower Right v4
AMVIEWCEN Center v5
AMVIEWALL View All val
AMLAYVPO Viewport Layer ON/OFF vpoo
462 | Appendix C Accelerator and Shortcut Keys
Index
A
acceleration 388
adjusting rings 16
angular dimensions 30, 177
annotation views 66, 104
associative 106, 166
hide 106
views 166
Autodesk Inventor link option 408
Autodesk Inventor linked models 409,
415, 418, 427, 433, 436, 439,
441, 446
base views 415, 433
breakout section views 436, 439
isometric views 441
multiple views 436
orthogonal views 418
shade and rotate 409, 427
update 446
Automatic Dimensioning dialog box 172
automatic dimensions 171
B
balloons 244, 249, 435
base layers 56, 114, 152
base views 415, 433
for assembly files 433
for part files 415
baseline dimensions 170
Beam Calculation dialog box 322
bearing calculations 278, 294
bearings, plain 29
belleville spring washers 17, 342
Belt and Chain Length Calculation dialog
box 330
belts 19
bending moments 34, 300, 318
bills of material 17, 244
blind holes 17, 39, 231
blind slots 18, 39
bolts 33
BOM databases 17, 244, 250
border conditions in stress
calculations 374
break dimensions 22, 179
breakout section views, assembly
files 436, 439
breaks in shafts 288
browser 66
mechanical 66
C
calculations on bearings 17, 294
Cam Design and Calculation dialog
box 389, 393, 399, 403
cams 388
centerholes 19
centerlines 170, 237
centroids 320
chains 19, 327329, 338
calculations 327
length calculations 329
partitions 328
pitch diameters 328
roller 328
sprockets 328
chamfers 278, 287
Change Title Block Entry dialog
box 413, 432
circlips 24
clevis pins 19
command access methods 5
command summary 16
components 66, 76, 9496, 98, 101, 103
external reference 96, 101, 103
externalize local 103
ghost 94
insert views of external 98
mechanical structure 66
463 | Index
mechanical structure folders 66
restructure 95
view 76
compression springs 342
construction lines 23, 128, 132, 202, 238
Construction Lines dialog box 133
contact areas in screw calculations 364
context menu command access 5
contours 27, 132, 143, 186, 202
backgrounds and foregrounds 186,
202
hatch patterns 143
lines 132
visibility 27
cotter pins 21
counterbores 21, 39
countersinks 21, 39, 202
countersunk rivets 21
Create Drawing View dialog box 415,
418, 433, 437, 439, 441
cross-hatches 143
crosshairs 30
curve paths on cams 388
custom filters for parts lists 274
cutlines 438
cutting planes 34
cylinders in shafts 283
cylindrical pins 21
D
default layers 114
deflection lines 34, 300, 318, 321
desktop menu command access 5
Detail dialog box 147
detail views 128, 146, 152, 156
deviations to dimensions 145
dialog boxes 27, 36, 5758, 6061, 117,
119, 123, 129, 132133, 139,
145, 147, 149, 154, 158, 162,
164, 166167, 170, 172, 180181,
205, 209, 218219, 223, 232,
234, 236, 240, 246, 248, 254,
259260, 268269, 271, 279281,
303304, 306308, 322, 324, 330,
334, 358, 360, 374375, 378, 389
390, 409, 411415, 418, 426427,
431433, 437, 439, 441
Automatic Dimensioning 172
Beam Calculation 322
Belt and Chain Length
Calculation 330
Cam Design and Calculation 389
Change Title Block Entry 413, 432
Construction Lines 133
Create Drawing view 415
Create Drawing View 418, 433,
437, 439, 441
Detail 147
Drawing Borders with Title
Block 180, 431
Drawing Borders with Ttle
Block 411
Edit Attributes 181
Export Drawing Views 426
FEA 2D Calculation 374
FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) 378
FEA Configuration 375
Fillet Radius 139
Gear 306
Layer Control 57, 117, 119, 123,
166
Library 27
List of Filters 271
Material 303
Material Properties 304
Material Type 322
Nominal Diameter 162
Options 58, 414
Page Setup Manager 411, 432
Page Setup-Layout 412, 432
Part Ref Attributes 246, 248, 254
Parts List 259
Point Load 306
Power Dimensioning 145, 149, 164,
170
Power Snap Settings 132, 280
Pulleys and Sprockets 334
Save Drawing As 60
Save Title Block Filename 414
Scale Area 154
464 | Index
Screw Assembly Grip Representation
- Front View 209
Screw Assembly Templates 218
Screw Calculation 358
Screw Connection New Part Front
View 223
Screw Diameter Estimation 219
Select a Blind Hole 232
Select a Cylindrical Pin 234
Select a Nut 360
Select a Row 358
Select a Screw 205, 358
Select Graph 308, 324
Select Part Size 236, 330
Select Template 129, 279, 409, 427
Set Value 260, 269
Shaft Calculation 303
Shaft Generator 281
Sort 268
Standard Parts Database 36
Switch Representation of Standard
Parts 240
Template Description 61
Torque 307
Type of Follower 390
View 158, 167
Visibility Enhancement 123
dimensions 22, 144145, 170171, 177
179, 414, 421, 424425
angular 177
automatic 171
baseline 170
breaks 22, 179
contours 144
deviations 145
multi edit 170, 178
parametric 414, 421
radial 425
reference 424
distance snaps 128
distributed loads 318, 372
drawing borders 39, 180, 411, 431
Drawing Borders with Title Block dialog
box 180, 411, 431
drawing views 411, 414, 426, 431432
export to AutoCAD 426
insert drawing borders 411, 431
drawings 56, 60, 62, 170
borders 170
default templates 62
layers 56
limits 56, 60
new 62
templates 56, 60
drill bushings 22
durability calculations 372
dynamic calculations 278
dynamic dragging 202, 278, 342
E
edge symbols 23
Edit Attributes dialog box 181
Export Drawing Views dialog box 426
export drawing views to AutoCAD 426
extension springs 23, 342
external reference components 96, 101,
103
external threads 23
F
fatigue factors 300
FEA (Finite Element Analysis) 372
FEA 2D Calculation dialog box 374
FEA 2D Isolines (Isoareas) dialog box 378
FEA Configuration dialog box 375
feature control frame symbols 24
feature identifier symbols 24
Fillet Radius dialog box 139
fillets 24, 139, 278
filters for parts lists 270, 274
finite element analysis (FEA) 372
fits 24, 170, 178
fits lists 182
fixed supports 300, 318, 372, 375
fixed supports on shafts 305
folders 66, 6970, 86
instances of 70
mechanical structure 66, 86
modify 69
frequently used commands 458
465 | Index
G
Gear dialog box 306
gears 278, 300
geometry in structure 66
ghost components 94
grooved drive studs 24
H
hatch patterns 24, 39, 143
hidden edges 194
hidden lines 186
hide situations 106, 187
2D 187
associative 106
in mechanical structure 106
holes 21, 3739, 202, 231, 423
add notes 423
blind 231
counterbored 39
countersunk 21, 39, 202
tapped blind 37
tapped through 37
through 38
user-defined 39
I
inner shaft contours 34
instances 67, 73
compared to occurrences 73
in mechanical structure 67
isoareas in calculations 378
isolines in stress calculations 378
K
keys in shafts 35
L
language converter 26
Layer Control dialog box 57, 117, 119,
123, 166
layer groups 27, 56, 114, 117, 152
layer specifications 447
layer system 26, 448
layers 57
layouts 152153
leaders 28, 37, 254, 265
length calculations for chains 329
libraries for storage 128
Library dialog box 27
lines 300, 321
deflection 300, 321
link to assembly files 427
link to part files 409
List of Filters dialog box 271
load calculations 24, 300, 318, 365, 372
lock washers 35
lubricators 27
M
Material dialog box 303
Material Properties dialog box 304
material properties for screws 358
Material Type dialog box 322
mechanical browser 18, 66, 86, 88, 90
restructure 90
usage with Bill of Materials 88
mechanical layers 57, 114
mechanical options 58
mechanical structure 6668, 106, 280
enable 68, 280
folders 66, 68
hide situations 106
mesh in stress calculations 377, 379
model space 33, 153, 159
module values in shafts 283
moments of inertia 25, 318
motion diagrams for cams 388
movable supports 300, 318, 372, 376
movable supports on shafts 305
mtext 38
multi edit dimensions 170, 178
N
NC (numerical control) 388
466 | Index
new commands 50
Nominal Diameter dialog box 162
notches and stress calculations 300
numerical control (NC) 388
nuts 28
O
o-rings 34
object snap modes 30
object snaps 131
objects 67, 122
copy with layer groups 122
mechanical structure 67
occurrences 67, 73
compared with instances 73
in mechanical structure 67
Options dialog box 58
orthogonal views for part files 418
outer shaft contours 34
P
Page Setup - Layout dialog box 412, 432
Page Setup Manager dialog box 411, 432
parallel keys 35
part information 245
Part Ref Attributes dialog box 246, 248,
254
part references 29, 244245
partitions in chains 328
parts layers 26, 56, 114
Parts List dialog box 259
parts lists 29, 244, 255, 261262, 267,
270, 434
defined 244
filters 270
merge rows 261
sort 267
split rows 262
pins 234
pitch diameters in chains 328
plain bearings 29
plain rivets 29
plugs 29, 34
point forces 300, 318
Point Load dialog box 306
polylines 138
power commands 128, 193
Power Copy 202, 211, 342
Power Dimensioning 128, 152, 170
Power Dimensioning dialog box 145,
149, 164
Power Edit 202, 222, 342, 372, 381
Power Erase 170, 202, 229, 264
Power Recall 202
Power Snap Settings dialog box 132, 280
Power View 202, 226, 352
precision in dimensions 145
profiles in shafts 286
property class for screws 359
pulleys 19, 36
Pulleys and Sprockets dialog box 334
R
radial dimensions 425
radius reflection lines 278
rectangles 31
reference dimensions 424
reference points 31
relative points 31
representations of standard parts 36,
203, 239
resolution in cam calculations 388
restructure components 95
result blocks in screw calculations 370
retaining rings 24
revised commands 44
revision lists 32
rivets 21, 29
countersunk 21
plain 29
roller bearings 32
roller chains 328
rotate tool 409, 427
S
Save Drawing As dialog box 60
Save Title Block Filename dialog box 414
Scale Area dialog box 154
467 | Index
scale areas 33, 152153
scale monitors 152
scale of viewports, default 40
Screw Assembly Grip Representation -
Front View dialog box 209
Screw Assembly Templates dialog
box 34, 218
Screw Calculation dialog box 358
Screw Connection dialog box 33, 205,
214, 219
Screw Connection New Part Front View
dialog box 223
screw connections 33
Screw Diameter Estimation dialog
box 219
screws 33, 213, 219, 356, 358359, 361,
364365, 367368, 370
calculations 356
connections 356
contact areas 364
loads and bending moments 365
material properties 358
precalculations 219
property class 359
result blocks 370
settlement properties 367
stand-alone calculations 356
templates 213
tightening properties 368
washers 361
scripts 34
sealing rings 34
Select a Blind Hole dialog box 232
Select a Cylindrical Pin dialog box 234
Select a Nut dialog box 360
Select a Row dialog box 358
Select a Screw dialog box 205, 358
Select Graph dialog box 308, 324
Select Part Size dialog box 236, 330
Select Template dialog box 129, 279,
409, 427
Set Value dialog box 260, 269
settlement properties in screw
calculations 367
Shaft Calculation dialog box 303
Shaft Generator dialog box 281
shafts 3435, 39, 278, 283, 286, 288
290, 292, 301, 308
breaks 278, 288
calculations 301, 308
commands that act on 39
contours 34
cylinders 283
generator 278, 301
lock nuts 35
module values 283
profiles 286
safety factors 34
side views 289
slopes 292
threads 290
shim rings 35
shortcuts 458
simple welds 35
slopes on shafts 292
slots, through 39
snap distance for balloons 254
snap settings 30, 131132
Sort dialog box 268
sort parts lists 267
springs 17, 20, 23, 39, 341342, 345
belleville 342
calculations 341342, 345
compression 342
extension 342
layouts 345
torsion 342
sprockets 19, 36, 328, 333
stability calculations 372
standard parts 30, 203
Standard Parts Database dialog box 36
steel shapes 36, 186, 190, 193
step width in cam calculations 388
Strength Calculation dialog box 312
strength calculations for shafts 300, 311
stress calculations 24, 300, 372
stress divisions 382
stress representations 380
stress tables 379
stress yield points 300
structure catalog 33
supporting forces 34
468 | Index
supports 300
surface texture symbols 37
Switch Representation of Standard Parts
dialog box 240
symbols 2324, 37
edge 23
feature control frame 24
feature identifier 24
surface texture 37
symmetrical lines 37
T
tangent definitions for chains 331
taper pins 37
tapped holes 37
blind 37
through 37
Template Description dialog box 61
templates, drawings 56, 60, 62
text styles 36, 38
thread ends 38
threads on shafts 290
through holes 38
through slots 39
tightening properties in screw
calculations 368
title block attributes 454
title blocks 29, 39, 170
tolerances 29, 145, 170
toolbutton command access 5
Torque dialog box 307
torque rotation angles 34
torsion moments 34
torsion springs 39, 342
trace contours 39
tracking lines 254
translate text 26
trims 141
Type of Follower dialog box 390
U
undercuts 39
V
view components 76
View dialog box 158, 167
viewports 27, 40, 152153, 156
views 104, 128, 152, 156, 166, 289, 414,
418, 432433, 436, 441
annotation 104
associative 166
base 433
breakout section 436
detail 128, 156
drawing 414, 432
isometric 441
multiple for assembly files 436
orthogonal 418
scales 152
sides of shafts 289
virtual intersections 31
Visibility Enhancement dialog box 123
W
washers 35, 40, 361
weld symbols 41
woodruff keys 35
working layers 56, 114, 152
X
xref components 96, 101, 103
xrefs 41
Y
yield points of stress 300
Z
z coordinate 31
zigzag lines 41
zigzag lines for shaft ends 35
zoom 40
469 | Index