Mechanical Interfaces
A mechanical interface is defined as a set of geometrical elements involved in connecting a system to an another with respect to engineering connections.
Introducing Mechanical Interface Templates Capture: Basic Concepts | ||
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Types of Mechanical Interfaces
Simple Mechanical Interface
When geometrical elements of a part connect with another part without any intermediate part, such interface is a simple mechanical interface. For example, a system of a nut and a bolt constitutes a simple mechanical interface because they can be connected directly without involving any third element.
Complex Mechanical Interface
When geometrical elements of a part or a system connect with another part or a system via an intermediate part, such interface is a complex mechanical interface. This intermediate part is named a smart component. For example, a system of two riveted plates constitutes a complex mechanical interface because the two plates need a third element, a rivet, to connect them. In this case, the rivet is a smart component.
Connection of Systems
The following table shows the different connection systems :
| Intermediate Smart Component | Interfaces | Smart Connection |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
|  | |
|  | |
- Case 1: The existing interfaces are compatible for connection using the smart component. That is, the smart component readily adapts to the existing interfaces on both the systems.
- Case 2: Only one system has an interface which is compatible for connection using the smart component. That is, the smart component readily adapts to the existing interface of one system and has to generate an interface on the second.
- Case 3: None of the systems has an interface which is compatible for connection using the smart component. That is, to join the two systems, the smart component has to generate compatible interfaces on both systems.
Roles: Who can do what
Leader
A Leader has the authoring rights in the app. That is, as a Leader you can:
- Create or modify mechanical interface templates and functional surface templates
- Add the templates to the catalog
- Instantiate a template in context
- Display the attributes involved in a publication
- Check the compatibility of two instances based on the type compatibility rules and the detailed compatibility rules
- Create or modify business rules which include validity rules, type compatibility rules, and detailed compatibility rules, using the Data Setup app.
Author
An Author can browse content and instantiate a mechanical interface template or a functional surface template, previously defined by a leader, in a context. That is, as an Author, you can:
- Instantiate templates.
- Create a basic mechanical interface or a functional surface without creating a template which requires a leader
- Reveal a template in context
- Realize the compatibility between two systems and connect them
To perform the tasks of an Author, see 3D Tolerancing & Annotation User's Guide: Working with Mechanical Interfaces or Part Design User's Guide: Working with Mechanical Interfaces.
Custom Roles
An Administrator can assign the following tasks to a customized role:
- Create or modify templates
- Display the attributes involved in a publication
- Check the compatibility of two instances based on the type compatibility rules and the detailed compatibility rules