Variational Design Based On Solid Edge And It's Applications

The construction machinery is an important part of Chinese mechanical manufacturing industry. In order to be more competitive in the market, the enterprises have the requirements to apply the information technology and CAD technology to enhance the ability of innovation. With the design of elements and assembly parts in the construction machinery as the objects, this paper researched the variational design technology based on Solid Edge(SE)and it's applications on the modeling motheds of mechanical parts library as well as quickly assembly design of the parts for series products. The main points are described as follows.1.The process of the varitional design and the functions of the variabl table were introduced at first. Then several variational design methods were summarized for the applications in different cases. The methods to use exterior functions and data were researched in order to extend the functions of SE and improve the efficiency of design.2. ActiveX Automation was used to implement the calling up of SE by Visual Basic(VB) program. Variable-driving technology in SE was studied so that the required 3D models could be generated when the parameters of the elements were inputed in VB interfaces.3. Modeling methods for mechanical parts were summed up based on SE. The characteristics of mechanical parts in construction machinery were analysed and the development methods for different type of parts library as well as the management of the library were presented. 4. Based on the analyses of the limitations in the traditional assembly process for series products, a method for quickly assembly design was put forward on the support of SE.5. Using the simulation functions in SE, the simulation conditions were analysed so that suitable simulation results can be obtained. The simulation of operating mechanism of loader was shown as an example.The variational design technology in SE could be used in the design of elements and assembly parts so that the design efficiency could be improved and the workload of the designers could be reduced greatly. It could be also used to develop the parts library due to the advantages of simple, easy and little workload for development. The methods presented in the paper will provide a powerful tool for the designer to use SE and the parts libaray as well as its development methods can be referenced for the designers in the construction machinery enterprises.