Member postings for David Jupp

One thing which I've seen some people struggle with; when sketching a circle, rectangle, line in Atom3D you click AND RELEASE to place the first point (centre of circle, corner of rectangle, end of line), then move cursor to second point then click again to complete the figure.

Some people are so used to holding mouse button pressed whilst dragging that they forget to let go - the sketch tools in Alibre won't work if that happens.

Open vs closed sketches is covered in the Help manual

I know Nigel doesn't like videos, but this one covers common sketch problems and how to diagnose/fix them.

Nigel,

To edit an existing sketch, locate it in the Design Explorer (left hand side of screen), right click on it and select 'Edit' from the options in the context menu.

You should then be able to modify the sketch figures or dimensions.

Using the 'Activate 2D Sketch' button will open a NEW sketch. You can have multiple different sketches on any plane or flat face.

Nigel - you don't actually appear to ASK here, you just give vague descriptions of your activities and the outcomes. Not clear enough to really work out what problem you are hitting. Not even any screenshots of any of the problems.

Hopefully showing exactly what went wrong would lead either to you learning, or to Alibre being made aware of an unappreciated pitfall in use of the software.

PLEASE send me for example your file with 27 errors in a sketch (tell me which sketch, to save time). There isn't an 'incurable' output - the 'heal' button can only address certain error types, for most the user has to resolve them. 27 faults suggests a 'busy' sketch. This is another reason why I strongly recommend the use of simple sketches - much easier to diagnose, and less work wasted if you do have to abandon a sketch.

I don't see any big difference between asking for help here or directly from Alibre, or via the Alibre user forum.

Have just got the answer on this - unfortunately the View Cube (a 3rd party provided component) created a few issues with other tools in 2D sketch mode, so the decision was taken to disable it.

Jason, Thx.

Nigel - dimensions appear where you place them.

• Click item to dimension
• (if appropriate click other item to dimension)
• Move cursor to position dimension - click to fix position
• Enter intended dimension value

You can click/drag dimensions later to re-position.

Edited By David Jupp on 08/05/2023 14:34:33

Nigel,

If you won't accept help when you are stuck, you won't learn.

All dimensions lying on an axis isn't at all clear - if you provide the part file, I'll be able to see what you are referring to. Alibre has a Help Desk team, and local resellers also provide support exactly because people need help to varying degrees.

If you won't accept help, then I don't think it's fair of you to post such negative comments about the software.

Keep sketches simple - I strongly advise against having the cover outline and the holes in a common sketch. I'll send you a file with my own approach where you'll see I use multiple features, each with a very simple sketch. See image below - this approach keeps each step simple, and makes it much easier to edit a step (or even delete and start again) without throwing away all the stuff that did work.

Extending your trial licence can be considered, but only if you accept help.

If the engine block is already modelled, it can be placed in an assembly, then a new part created in the assembly for a cylinder cover. Edges and hole locations can be transferred from block to cover.

Maybe a bit advanced for Nigel until more experience is built up, but all readily doable in Atom3D.

Nigel, I've said several times - if you get stuck contact me/Alibre for help. I'll either look at you files or do another screen share.

Rather than moan that 'x can't be done', instead maybe ask 'how can I do x?' or 'is it possible to do x?'

If you want to bring in geometry from a DXF/DWG, yes it opens in the Drawing workspace - from there you can copy/paste into 2D sketch of a part. The process is not complex, but you need to be aware of the steps. The basics are in the Help

There is a also a more detailed video (but I know you don't like videos).

Threads - in Atom3D your only options are to model them physically, or to not bother with them. You'd have to add any note to the 2D drawing manually.

Alibre Design Pro & Expert have 'cosmetic thread' options with the Hole tool which

• maps a thread texture image (or a plain colour) onto the relevant face of the model to show it is threaded
• provides callout data for the thread in 2D drawings
• uses traditional methods to show thread in 2D drawing
• has inbuilt data for many thread types - which can be added to by the user

The Hole tool doesn't slow the display down to the extent that modelling physical threads can, and it makes downstream drawing production much simpler.

I agree that modelling physical threads is rarely actually needed - you are more likely to use the helical tools to model a spring, an oil groove in a bearing, or some sort of feed mechanism.

Ady - if the plane or face 'flips' when you enter 2D sketch, click the 'reset view' button on the Ribbon. That will flip the sketching plane around. Clicking it again will flip it back. If the workspace has been rolled away from 'head on' to the screen, reset view will bring it back to the head on orientation.

All faces/planes have a 'front' and 'back' so there is a default orientation for sketch mode - but that isn't always the one that is most convenient or comfortable for a particular task.

Nigel,

It isn't just you - view cube is disabled for me in sketch mode. I can maybe see why that could be 'by design' but I'm not certain about that. I'll check with Alibre QA.

If you are still having problems with revolve cut, for thread or anything else, send me a part file where you have failed (don't delete your attempts) and I'll take a a look.

You would hope that EU money might source equipment from the EU. Lots of packaging systems are made in Italy for example - probably easier to get hold of instructions.

PM me if you wish.

The jaws will most likely be controlled to a specific temperature continuously (pulse heated jaws are sometimes seen). I doubt you'll find any idiots guide for setting up.

My knowledge of these things comes from working on the films, and measuring seal performance in the lab.

Well the (usually PTFE based) jaw cover is missing from one jaw, and looks past its best on the other jaw. Beyond that can't see much.

Sounds like a Form, Fill, Seal device (FFS).

Yes temperature, pressure, also sealing time are key variables, and the jaws must be well aligned.

As well as the set up of of the machine, the quality of the packaging laminate used is critical. Needs to be uniform thickness (across the film and along it), and have an appropriate composition for the heat seal layer. Various different polymers or blends thereof might be used for the heat seal layer depending upon the contents. Lamination film is right at the high end of the packaging film market in terms of specification requirements.

Typical issues are lack of fusion at one extreme, 'burning' at the other - both of which will lead to leaks.

Is the issue with the end top/bottom seals or with the longitudinal seal?

Modelling physical threads. This can be done either by cutting material away (as shown in the MEW series) or by adding material on.

The most common problem I see is that the profile sketch used for the thread is wider than or equal to the thread pitch. For the helical tools to work well, the profile width (along the helix axis) should be less than the pitch (only needs to be slightly less). If needed, rounding of thread crests can be done afterwards using a fillet.

Another common issue getting helical tools to work is if the profile sketch is not on an appropriate plane, or difficulty selecting the axis for the helix.

If a particular task eludes you - open a support ticket with Alibre (and attach your file) the team at support will be happy to help.

Nigel,

To get angular alignment of nut and bolt head, one option of several is to use 'show reference geometry' for the nut - then you can use its reference planes to constrain to assembly planes.

Another option (if nut and bolt head are same AF size) is constrain 2 flats to be aligned.

If they are not the same AF size, constrain flats parallel - that is 'offset' with the 'free' option chosen.

Or set an angle between 2 flats (be that zero, or some other).

Edited By David Jupp on 05/05/2023 07:41:29

Constraint limits (handy for letting clamp slide, but not beyond ends of column) are also not available in Atom3D.

Nigel,

The constraint interface has been updated since the MEW articles - there used to be a choice of 2 assembly constraint tools - they've now been combined into a single (improved?) tool that does look different. The new tool can access all the functions of the old, but some naming has changed slightly to simplify things.

If applying constraints doesn't always work, it may be that something is wrong with your system/installation (I've offered to check this for you) - or you may be accidentally de-selecting, or even selecting a different item than intended. The constraint buttons that become active vary depending upon what is selected.

Don't worry so about planes - whilst being consistent can be helpful, it isn't a requirement. I tend to just model my parts, then sort out the orientations when I assembly things (unless I design a part 'in context' whilst inside the assembly it will be added to).

Lee,

Yes assembly constraints in Atom3D work the same as in Alibre Design (there are just some extra constraint options in Alibre Design Expert - for gears/pulleys/screw drives/racks).

Both Alibre Design Professional and Design Expert offer a 'fastener' constraint - this speeds up placement of screws etc. by using a single constraint in place of the 2 constraints that would be required in Atom3D. You can achieve same result in Atom3D, just a bit slower to do.

Aligned, Offset, Concentric, Tangent, Angle are available in all levels of the software.

Edited By David Jupp on 03/05/2023 13:58:49

Edited By David Jupp on 03/05/2023 14:00:21