Alibre Atom 3D. A question to those who use it.

Boolean 'Merge' is ideal for for this job. From only a model of the piston it's straightforward to create the core, core mould, piston mould and retain the model of the piston.

Martin.

I installed the trial version of Alibre Atom3D today and I've had a play with it. I couldn't find a way to split a body into two separate pieces, I will keep looking at that. I also looked at MOI used by Martin, "Blowlamp", there is a 90 day trial period with the software. My first impression with Alibre is that might not do what I want, or rather, what I am used to. I have to carry on regardless!

One thing about Alibre is having to draw each part of a construction consisting of many parts, and then make them into an assembly, like a small engine for instance. In Designspark and Solid Edge, each body can be created by using references from another body. The cylinder can get some info from the head, etc. It doesn't seem that Alibre works that way.

I now have my cad computer disconnected from the internet until Alibre asks for a connection, so I can't watch instructional videos unless I have my internet (slow) computer on.

Twenty eight days to go! Wasn't there a film with a similar title?

The way I split something in half when doing a pattern is much like I showed at the end of the video of your core box. Simply sketch a rectangle with one side through where you want to split the pattern and cut away one half, name it pattern right, go back and edit so the rectangle sits the other side of ctr and name that pattern left.

As for constructing a part using refs from another part or assembly when you have your assembly up on the screen click add new part rather than insert design. You can then draw directly over the assembled parts and use project to sketch to pick up any refs you want. I'm assuming this can be done in atom, I can do it in pro.

Example here, drawing the rectangle and have used the vertical edge of the cylinder as my ref (green broken line)

Edited By JasonB on 13/05/2023 07:44:53

Thanks JasonB.

The first thing I designed was a piston as in my previous post. I couldn't see any way to split it, so I drew a rectangle from the middle out and extruded cut one half away. I then tried to mirror the part with no luck, the half I was trying to mirror dissapeared and a mirrored part was created the other side of the plane . I tried both versions of the mirror with no luck. When I tried with a more simple part, I got the mirror to work, so, a bit more experience needed here. I will try making an assembly as you describe this evening. Gardening calls! Beetroot and red onions to be planted out.

Lee

Ah - so is the Reference Line to give the rectangle a definite location on the "curved" surface?

Lee,

A Mirror operation mirrors the FEATURES, this is often not the same as mirroring the result of previous features. It can end up with everything disappearing if you mirror a cut - you then have 2 cuts removing both halves.

There is a separate Scale/Mirror Part command which can be used to mirror the part completely (or scale it).

Actually there is a flat on that side of the cylinder as you can see from this view. I was sketching on the central plane so the ref was also placed on that plane so in the middle of the flat surface. Also note that the assembled parts come up transparent making it easier to sketch without solid items getting in the way and you can also see hidden features

Ii see. Thank you. It was not so obvious in that pure elevation.

Thanks David, I did try using the scale/mirror command, but again the part dissapeard. I know it's something I did, I need to use the software more. I will have a go at assemblies later. If I like the software I will look at the pricing for each version. Are there any trials for those?

Lee,

Part Scale/Mirror should not cause disappearance. If there is unexpected behaviour either raise a support ticket with Alibre and include the file, or PM me, or in UK contact Mintronics. Depending upon day or week & time of day, I may well pick up the Alibre support ticket, Mintronics support ticket for Alibre products often, but not always come to me.

Trials are available for Atom3D, or Design Expert - there isn't normally a trial for Design Professional, which sits between them - but there is quite a lot of information available on differences. In extremis, a trial could be arranged for Design Professional if needed.

Hi David.

I had another go at drawing a piston with internal little end bosses before cutting it in half and mirroring the part. This time it worked pefectly, only, of course, both halves joined back together. I created an offset plane and did the mirror again to produce the two halves set away from each other. I think what caused it the first time is that I also tried to mirror the cutter that cut the piston in half, so no need for a suport ticket. I am still working my way through creating an assembly. It's not something I have used in any other cad programme.

Thanks for the info on Design Expert, I will take a look.