Research On Development & Assembly Of Mechanical Part Library Based On Solid Edge

Based on Solid Edge(SE), this paper researched the development of the Mechanical Part Library(MPL), the assembly of the parts and the kinematical simulation of an NC plasma cutter. By establishing the relationships among Visual Basic(VB), Access database and SE, the total scheme of MPL was designed and the libraries of standard elements as well as the common used parts were developed respectively. Based on the analysis on the assembling relations of the parts in SE, the assembly and the kinematical simulation were realized for an NC plasma cutter. The main points of the paper were described as follows.1. The framework was introduced for the classification of the mechanical parts. The methods of creating the models and the assembling relationships of the parts were studied.2. The Access database was designed for the dimension tables of the standard elements. The connection relationship between Access and VB was studied.3. The development of MPL in SE was completed by calling SE in written VB program.4. The total framework for MPL was designed and the interfaces for searching mechanical parts were developed, which would function as thefoundation for expanding and perfecting of MPL in the future.5. Therassembly of the NC plasma cutter was carried out by using the MPL established. The 3D assembly view and the 3D exploded view were obtained. The 3D simulation of the cutter was realized.The MPL will provide a powerful tool for the designer to use SE. Much time for drawing will be saved. By searching the mechanical parts required and choosing or inputting the parameters of the parts on the interface of MPL, the designer could get a 3D model of the parts. The 3D assembly and the 3D simulation would also provide a visual movie for the demonstrating of the assembling process and the operation of the cutter in teaching and training activities.