This tutorial shows how to assemble Bevel Gears (that are imported) in SpaceClaim. These are typically used to transmit motion (and power) in intersecting shafts. They are also used in differential of vehicles, for transmission of power to the wheels.

When bevel gears are imported inside SpaceClaim, we need to define Gear Condition/Constraint between them, which is done by selecting two conical surfaces. The main task is to find out these mating cones. The following diagram shows the equations of determining the apex angle (actually half the apex angle) of cones, given the ratio R1/R2 = N1/N2 (ratio of number of teeth). Once the angles are found, conical surfaces are drawn and gear condition is defined between them.

In the video tutorial below:

1. We have imported a Bevel Gear Assembly from GrabCAD.
2. The revolute joints (consisting of a Align condition + Tangent condition) are defined so that gears have a freedom to rotation (degree-of-freedom) about their axes.
3. The pitch cones are determined in the form of surfaces (which do not add up to the mass of the components)
4. Gear condition is defined between them.
5. One of the bevel gears is rotated and the other rotates due to meshing.
6. Go to SC-Motion. Gear conditions are made use of in the solver and simulation is done.

The SpaceClaim assembly file (with Gear condition defined) can be downloaded here.

 The video tutorial can be downloaded here

We have similar tutorials for External Gears, Internal Gears, Rack and Pinion, and Worm Gears.

This tutorial shows how to assemble Rack and Pinion (that are imported) in SpaceClaim. These are typically used to convert the rotary motion applied to the pinion into translatory motion of the rack.

When the rack and pinion assembly is imported in SpaceClaim, we need to identify the pitch circle (or cylinder) of the pinion and the pitch line (or plane) of the rack.  We then need to define “Gear Condition” between the cylinder and plane.  The following diagram shows the equations for determining the pitch circle diameter of the pinion. Once it is found, a line tangent to this circle and parallel to the rack surface is the pitch line. The circle and line are then pulled to make surfaces, between which Gear Condition is defined.

In the video tutorial below:

1. We have imported a Rack and Pinion Assembly from GrabCAD.
2. Define revolute joint (consisting of Align condition + Tangent condition) between pinion and the base part.
3. Define prismatic/translatory joint (consisting of Align condition + Angle condition) between rack and the base part.
4. Determine the pitch circle of the pinion. Draw a line tangent to this circle and parallel to the rack surface.
5. Make the circle and line as “Construction lines”, so that we can get surfaces when these are pulled. (which are without mass).
6. Gear condition is defined between cylindrical and planar surfaces.
7. Pinion is rotated about its axis and the rack translates due to proper meshing.
8. Go to SC-Motion. Define joint rotation for pinion and its rotation results in the translation of the rack.

The SpaceClaim assembly file (with Gear condition defined) can be downloaded here.

 The video tutorial can be downloaded here

We have similar tutorials for External Gears, Internal Gears,  Worm Gears and Bevel Gears.

This tutorial shows how to assemble gears (that are imported) in SpaceClaim. The type of gears considered is “Internal Gears”. These are typically used in planetary gears. This is in continuation of our earlier tutorial on assembling external gears in SpaceClaim. Please go through it to catch up in this tutorial.

Here, we have to find the pitch radii of the internal gear (larger number of teeth) and the external gear (lesser number of teeth). Then, Gear Condition needs to be defined between these pitch cylinders for perfect mating of the gears at hand. The following diagram shows the equations of determining the radii R1 and R2 of the two cylinders, given the number of teeth in the gears and the distance between the centers of the gears. We have two equations with R1 and R2 and solving for R1 and R2 is straight forward.

In the video tutorial below:

1. We have imported a Gear Assembly from GrabCAD.
2. Make the internal gear as fixed component and define Tangent condition between the mating planes of the gears.
3. The pitch cylinders are determined in the form of surfaces (which do not add up to the mass of the components).
4. Gear condition is defined between them.
5. Edit the property of Gear condition “Reverse Rotation Direction” so that the sense of rotation for external gears and internal gears are same (as opposed to that between two external gears, where the sense of rotation is reversed).
6. Try to move the external gear. It does not move as required. This is because, the gear condition only makes sure that the relative rotation of the gears are as per the ratio of number of teeth [This is as of SpaceClaim 2012 version].
7. Define a Tangent condition between the same set of pitch cylinders. Move the external gear and it follows the desired path. This needs to be defined so that external gear and internal gear mesh perfectly.
8. Go to SC-Motion. Since we do not have a revolute joint to define rotation, we have defined Gravity for the assembly and let the external gear move due to the action of gravity (Dynamic Simulation)

The SpaceClaim assembly file (with Gear condition defined) can be downloaded here.

 The video tutorial can be downloaded here

We have similar tutorials for External Gears, Rack and Pinion, Worm Gears and Bevel Gears.