This section covers how to prepare parts and groups so that they can be converted to CAD subsystems for use in MapleSim.
You will prepare the parts by adding local coordinate systems (Coords) to them. When the parts are converted to CAD subsystems, the Coords are converted to Multibody ports (or, simply, ports). Ports are needed in order to connect your CAD subsystems to other modeling components.
In particular, this section demonstrates how to add a reference Coord. Reference Coords are necessary when you have to connect two CAD subsystems to the same component. Reference Coords ensure that the geometry of your CAD assembly is preserved and that your model simulates accurately.
Ports can be added during import in the CAD Toolbox window (current window) or after the parts have been imported into MapleSim in the Feature Detect window (for individual parts). This section shows you how to add matched ports in the CAD Toolbox window. The following section demonstrates how to add matched ports in the Feature Detect window.
To prepare your parts and import them into MapleSim:
1.
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Right-click on the top slide part and clear the Show check box to hide the part. This will make it easier to place the Coord.
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2.
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Click Coord (
).
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3.
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Place your pointer on the inner round edge of flange bushing and click to place the Coord. This Coord will be used to model rotational motion in the system.
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The pointer changes to indicate coordinate placement mode:
. When you hover over an edge, the pointer changes to indicate coordinate placement on an edge:
. You will know when the pointer is over the round edge when the Coord appears at the center of the circular feature.
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Tip: The size of the Coord can be increased/decreased at any time by using the +/- keys on the numeric keypad.
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Table 1: Placing a Coordinate |
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Hover over the inner edge of the flange bushing.
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The coordinate is now in place.
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4.
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Press Esc to exit Coord mode.
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Tip: Press and hold the C key to enter Coord placement mode as quick alternative to clicking the Coord button. (Shift + C for placement on a surface) This method is recommended because you exit the mode as soon as you release the C key, and do not have to remember to exit the mode using Esc.
5.
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Click the Toggle Coordinates Tree View button (
) to display only the Coords that have been placed on the CAD model. Expand Base. (The name of your Coord may be slightly different.)
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6.
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Select the Coord in the Coordinate Tree View and then click Properties (
).
Tip: You also use shortcut keys: press Ctrl + R to rename an object or press P when the part or Coord is selected to open the Properties dialog. For more shortcut keys, see Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts.
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7.
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Enter A in the Name field. Close the Properties window. The coordinate is renamed.
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8.
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Click Place Reference Coordinate (
). The Add Reference Coordinates dialog opens.
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9.
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Select top slide as the Target Component.
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10.
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Click Add and then click Done.
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An exact copy of the Coord is attached to top slide. The reference Coord will always have the same position and orientation as the A Coord on the Base group.
11.
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Above the Tree View, click
to Toggle back to the full Tree View.
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12.
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Right-click on white space in the CAD visualization window and select Show All. Recall, we'd hidden a part earlier (step 1 of this section), so we now need to show all the CAD components.
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13.
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Right-click on the pick up plate - Fillet3 part (in the Tree View it is under the suction plate assembly) and clear the Show check box to hide the part. This will make it easier to place the Coord.
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14.
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Press and hold C and place your pointer on the inner round edge of top slide - Fillet2 and click to place the Coord. This Coord will be used to model translational motion in the system.
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Note that you do not need to press Esc to exit Coord mode if you use the keyboard shortcut to place the Coord.
15.
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Click the Toggle Coordinates Tree View button (
) and expand top slide. (The name of your Coord may be slightly different.)
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16.
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Open the Properties window for the Coord and enter B in the Name field.
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17.
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Click Place Reference Coordinate (
) and place a reference coordinate with source coordinate B and target component suction plate assembly. Click Add and then Done.
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18.
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Right-click in the Tree View or Workspace and select Show All.
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19.
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Add a Coord to pick up plate - Fillet3 in the suction plate assembly group. Rename it C. In its properties dialog, click on Coordinate and change the orientation to match the following:
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20.
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In a similar way, add the following Coords to the CAD model.
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Coord D on flange bushing - CirPattern1 in the bushing bolt subassembly subgroup in the Base group (bushing at bottom of frame).
Coord E on 12in link in the Link group.
Coord F on link 1 Z.
Coord G on motor crank arm - Fillet1.
21.
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Add reference Coords (
) to replicate the Coordinate Tree View shown in the figure.
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22.
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Right-click in the Tree View or Workspace and select Show All to ensure the entire CAD assembly is visible. Then press R to restore the saved view.
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Next we will import this CAD assembly into MapleSim.
Tip: The current camera angle will be used to create the icons for the CAD subsystems in MapleSim. A good view will make your parts easier to recognize in MapleSim. The current view is also used to select the location of the ports on the CAD subsystem icons. Therefore, a good view will also make finding ports easier.
23.
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Click Accept and Return (
) to finish importing your CAD drawing and convert the parts and groups to CAD subsystems.
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A MapleSim dialog box opens with a message telling you where the CAD subsystems are in your Hierarchy.
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The parts and groups from your CAD drawing have been converted to CAD subsystems and imported into MapleSim. The CAD subsystems can be found under the Local Components tab (
), in the Hierarchy palette, in the PickAndPlace subgroup.
Notice that there is one CAD subsystem for each of the top-level groups that were in the CAD Toolbox window. There is also a _group PickAndPlace component. The _group PickAndPlace is a shared subsystem that contains all of the CAD subsystems you created.