Creating a Mechanical Interface Template

You can create a mechanical interface template to define the characteristics and positioning geometry of an interface. This mechanical interface template can be used to create direct or indirect connections.

For a single mechanical interface 3D shape representation, you can create only one mechanical interface template.

To create a simple mechanical interface without creating a mechanical interface template on a 3D shape representation, see

  • 3D Tolerancing & Annotation User's Guide: Working with Mechanical Interfaces: Creating a Basic mechanical Interface
  • Part Design User's Guide: Working with Mechanical Interfaces: Creating a Basic mechanical Interface
.

Before you begin:
  • To perform this task you must be a Leader or you must have a customized role with the proper rights. For more information, see Roles: Who can do what.
  • Open a feature in a mechanical interface 3D shape representation.
See Also
Working with a Mechanical Interface Representation
  1. From the Interface section of the action bar, click Mechanical Interface Template Creation .
    • The Mechanical Interface Template dialog box appears.
    • A Mechanical Interface node is added to the tree. This node contains a mechanical interface axis system node Mechanical Interface.x_Axis, which is also created and displayed in the 3D area.
    Note: You can create a template for any body in a 3D shape representation. By default, the part body is considered for template creation. The part body is duplicated under a geometrical set named Simplified Geometry. This geometrical set is added in the tree under the Mechanical Interface node.

    If the template is to be created for body other than the part body, copy and paste this target body under the Simplified Geometry node.

  2. Under Characteristics,
    1. Enter the Name.
    2. In the Joint box, enter the type of kinematic joint.
      The degree of freedom is shown in the 3D area using the mechanical interface axis system. The directions in which motion is allowed is represented in green color.
      Table 1. Representation of the various kinematic joints
      Kinematic joint typeRepresentation in the work area
      Rigid

      Spherical

      Cylindrical

      Planar

      Prismatic

      Revolute

      Universal

      Screw

    The name can be modified by both a leader and an author when instantiating. The type of joint can be modified only by a leader.

  3. Select the Mounting attribute of the template:
    • Moving
    • Receiving
  4. Under Positioning Geometry, define the positioning of the feature.

    Geometrical elements decide the positioning of the feature. These elements can be selected under Set in position and Maintain in position. That is, you can select the elements which locate the position for the feature and then select other elements to restrain the feature in this position. This ensures a perfect engineering connection in the later stage of design.

    1. To define the elements under the Set in position section, click Primary and Ctrl + select the elements of the feature in the 3D area.

      As you select the elements, a preview is shown within the dialog box. Select anywhere in the work area to clear the selection of elements.

    2. In the Feature type list, select the type of feature of this primary element if not automatically computed.
    3. In the Clearance list, select the type of clearance between the mechanical interface entity and the component.

      Note: Different clearance options are available for different types of geometries.

    4. Similarly, select the geometrical elements for Secondary and Tertiary with their feature types.
      Table 2. Example: Set in position for a Key
      Geometrical Elements selected in 3D and their preview in the dialog box Appropriate feature type selected in the Feature type list
      Primary elements

      		1 slot/tab
      Secondary elements

      		1 plane
      Tertiary elements

      		1 cylindrical slot/tab
    5. Select the elements in Maintain in position.

      As you select the elements, a preview is shown within the dialog box. Select anywhere in the work area to clear the selection of elements.

      Note: Add the following supplemental geometries to completely define the primary surfaces, the secondary surfaces, the tertiary surfaces, and the maintain geometry surfaces:
      • Offset: You can add offset surfaces to the primary, secondary, and tertiary surfaces. To add an offset surface, select Offset or Aligned with Offset, in the Clearance list. The offset can be shared by two different entities in the same mechanical interface.
      • Extended surfaces: You can extend only the cylindrical surfaces to create connections inside an assembly. To add an extended surface, select Pin Tightening and Extension or Thread and Extension in the Clearance list. You can create multiple extended surfaces for a single mechanical interface.
      • Restricted area (or partial surface): You can select existing restricted area features for a mechanical interface entity. For more information, see 3D Tolerancing & Annotation User's Guide: Geometry and Annotations: Creating a Restricted Area.

  5. Under More Characteristics, enter the Type and the Nature of the feature.

    Both these characteristics can be modified only by a leader.

    Note: The Type box must have an entry or else the template cannot be instantiated.

  6. In the Min and Max boxes, select the minimum and the maximum connections.

    These numbers indicate the minimum and maximum number of times this mechanical interface template can be instantiated. These numbers have to be positive non-zero numbers with the minimum number less than or equal to the maximum.

    Tip: Click to lock the axes so that while instantiation of the template the author cannot edit the orientation. A locked parameter is indicated by .

  7. Click Flip XY, Flip YZ, or Flip ZX, to change the orientation of the axes.

    Tip: Click to lock the axes so that while instantiation of the template the author cannot edit the orientation. A locked parameter is indicated by .

  8. In the Description box, enter the information about the template.
  9. Under Technological Feature Association, select one or more technological feature from the list, to instantiate the mechanical interference template on holes and threads/taps (created in Part Design) at the time of creation.

    Following options are available in the list:

    • Hole
    • Tappered Hole
    • Counterbored Hole
    • Countersunk Hole
    • Counterdrilled Hole
    • Hole-Thread
    • Tappered-Thread
    • Counterbored-Thread
    • Countersunk-Thread
    • Counterdrilled-Thread
    • Tap
    • Thread

    To know about instantiation of these technical features associated templates see: Part Design User's Guide: Sketch-Based Features: Holes: About Holes

A simple mechanical interface template is created. It can be now classified and added in a catalog for instantiation. To know about the instantiation of this template, see:

  • 3D Tolerancing & Annotation User's Guide: Working with Mechanical Interfaces: Instantiating a Simple Mechanical Interface Template
  • Part Design User's Guide: Working with Mechanical Interfaces: Instantiating a Simple Mechanical Interface Template