Apply Joints and Constraints and Analyze Through the Full Range of Motion Not all parts and assemblies are static. Many move, react and change during their operation, whether a robotic arm, the shocks of an automobile, the landing gear of a plane or the pistons in an engine. Variation can affect these kinds of assemblies throughout their operation. Using a new set of kinematic Joints and Constraints and unique simulation, 3DCS Mechanical Modeler can determine the impact of variation on your assembly through its entire range of motion. With built-in tools like the Degree of Freedom counter, 3DCS Mechanical Modeler allows users to tackle a whole new breadth of models and applications. 3DCS Mechanical Modeler is an add-on module for 3DCS software solutions, available in all versions, and adding a new toolbar containing Joints and Constraints, Mechanical Moves, Deviation in Motion and the Degree of Freedom counter. Learn More About the Improvements to 3DCS Mechanical - http://www.3dcs.com/tolerance-analysis-software-and-spc-systems/add-ons/mechanical-modeler

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3DCS Mechanical Modeler Add-on
Add kinematic and mechanical functions to your 3DCS
software

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Available in All 3DCS Platforms
3DCS Mechanical Modeler is an
Add-on module available for all
versions of 3DCS, including all
integrated versions and the
stand alone version (multi-CAD)

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Benefits of Mechanical Modeler
• Speed up and simplify modeling of kinematic assemblies
• Model complicated linkages and mechanical assemblies
• Combine 3D Variation and Kinematic Analysis
• Depict variation on kinematic assemblies through their range of motion in place of fixed
locations.
Check clearances throughout a range of motion. Analyze
piston heads after thermal expansion and manufacturing
variation have been added to see if they will always fit as
built.

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Value of Mechanical Modeler
Understand how variation affects moving parts on your product
Reduce scrap from kinematic components by optimizing assembly processes and part tolerances
Save time by modeling faster with Mechanical Moves

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What is Mechanical Modeler
3DCS Mechanical Modeler is an Add-on to any 3DCS Variation Analyst Software.
3DCS Mechanical Modeler adds an additional toolbar
of Joints, Constraints, Mechanical Moves and the
ability to deviate through a range of motion.
• An easy-to-use dimensional analysis
solution for mechanical and kinematic
assemblies
• 3DCS Mechanical Modeler has a new
simplified kinematic “Move” interface
• Joints & Constraint library supports non-3-
2-1-type moves

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Reasons to User Mechanical Modeler
• 3DCS Variation Analyst supports accurate Mechanical Variation Analysis but:
– It takes too long to create models
– It’s too difficult to model
– Requires Expert Modelers
– Too much capability
• Mechanical Modeler Objectives
– Cut Modeling time by 50%
– More Intuitive Modeling
– Analyze Range of Motion

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HOW DOES MECHANICAL MODELER
WORK
What kinds of Joints and Constraints are in Mechanical Modeler

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How Does Mechanical Modeler Work?
• Joints and Constraints replace 3DCS moves
– E.g 3 bar link = 3 revolute joints.
• Over-constrained systems supported
• Under-constrained systems supported
• Kinematic Range of Motion Animation and Analysis
• Support for multiple sub-assemblies.
• All other 3DCS capabilities supported
– Tolerances, Measures, Analysis, Reporting
– Assemblies can be static or can move through a range of motion

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Supported Joints and Constraints
Joints and Constraints
• Revolute
• Prismatic
• Cylindrical
• Spherical
• Planar
• Coincidence
• Contact
• Offset
• Angle
• Fixed
• Fixed Together

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Supported Constraints
Coincidence Sphere
Hole/Pin/
Edge
Planar
Surface
Slot/Tab
Sphere Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hole/Pin/
Edge Yes Yes Yes Yes
Planar
Surface Yes Yes Yes Yes
Slot/Tab Yes Yes Yes Yes
Contact Sphere
Hole/Pin/
Edge
Planar
Surface
Sphere Yes Yes Yes
Hole/Pin/
Edge
Yes Yes Yes
Planar
Surface
Yes Yes Yes
Offset Sphere
Hole/Pin/
Edge
Planar
Surface
Slot/Tab
Sphere Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hole/Pin/
Edge Yes Yes Yes Yes
Planar
Surface Yes Yes Yes Yes
Slot/Tab Yes Yes Yes Yes
Angle Sphere
Hole/Pin/
Edge
Planar
Surface
Slot/Tab
Sphere N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hole/Pin/
Edge N/A Yes Yes Yes
Planar
Surface
N/A Yes Yes Yes
Slot/Tab N/A Yes Yes Yes

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Supported Joints

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DEGREE OF FREEDOM COUNTER
Helpful tools for validating your Mechanical Models

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Degree of Freedom Counter
Validation tool in Mechanical Modeler for checking a parts Degrees of Freedom, whether it is
properly constrained
Method of checking Mechanical Moves to validate their set up

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Use to Check Shared Models
Validate the move of shared models
Make sure models created by colleagues
are set up correctly before continuing your
work
Failed Move

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Use to Validate as You Model
1. Check each of your moves as you make them.
2. Compare before and after changes to your model to verify that your moves are properly
constrained

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BEST PRACTICES
Tips to using and modeling with Mechanical Modeler

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Mechanical Move Order
● Order the motion after the moving joint
● Joints or Constraints
o Parts that will have motion use Joints
o Parts that will not have motion use Constraints
● Use actual functional indexing features

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Best Practices Mechanical
Moves need to match the locators, not the assembly process or the part tree.
Select the moves type based on how the parts are attached. Consider the number of
Degrees of Freedom restrained by the attachment.
Group together moves for the same part in the move list(s) for ease of modeling.
Be consistent and logical when selecting object and target features and parts for ease of
modeling.

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Best Practices Mechanical Moves
• The Mechanical moves only allow either one or two features to be selected in each feature
list. The object and target lists do not need to contain the same number of features.
• The Move Parts tab from most Mech moves only allows two parts to be added: the first
should contain the object features and the second should contain the target features.
• When creating a Mech move, however, it is common for the object features or the target
features to be from separate parts.
• This is especially common with flat or non-ideal tree structures. For example, when a shaft
with two bearings is attached to the rest of the assembly, the two object features will be the
outer surfaces of each bearing.

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• Motion moves allow the model to simulate a single free DoF in an assembly. For example,
the opening and closing of a four-bar linkage.
• Use the Fixed move after the moves that fully constrain a part.
• Use lots of validation measures.
• Over-constraint and conditional locators will give you grief.
See Mechanical Best Practices Expanded in the Appendix for more details

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MECHANICAL EXAMPLES
Case studies and example models for Mechanical Modeler

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Examples of Mechanical Analysis

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Automotive Suspension
1. Validate assembly process
2. Determine the best locators for assembly.
3. Verify that given current GD&T, the product can
build and function without failure.

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Fixtures Set to Reduce Assembly Variation

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Color Mapping Shows the Problem Zone
Mechanical moves are used to
check the assembly through an
entire range of motion, and the
influence at each stage from
variation

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Aircraft Turbine
Determining the 3 Dimensional Stack up based on assembly process and part tolerances.
Check the clearance of the turbine blades during operations.

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Aircraft Landing Gear Hatch
Validating close
conditions:
• Gap
• Flush
Of Landing gear
through operation
(open/close)

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Boxcutter Heavy Machinery
Check build validation
Validate operation:
1. Include part and
process tolerances
2. Test different
tolerances to see
impact on operational
functionality

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Engine Piston Clearance
Will manufacturing variation impact the contact
points of piston heads to the chamber?

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GD&T Optimization and Validation
Will the piston heads fit and seal during operation?

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Hinge Model – Shared Modeling
• Receive a hinge model
from another modeling
group
• Use Degree of Freedom
Counter to check all fo the
moves and validate their
functionality before
completing the model.
• Utilize Reporting Model
Summary to note changes
to existing moves.