The name of the project is "Designing of the Antenna Post as the Part of the Siberian Solar Radiotelescope". The main purpose of the diploma project is upgrading of the prototype device and development of manufacture technology in respect of the alterations made. Although during my studies I was working with CAD\CAM systems "Credo" and "AutoCAD", T-FLEX system was chosen to prepare this diploma project.
However, the basic background obtained in computer graphics and a friendly interface of T-FLEX system have allowed to become proficient in practical use of this system rather quickly. The target was posed in such a way that a valuable 3D model of the antenna post and the building berth would have been obtained with the use of drawings fulfilled earlier in AutoCAD 2000.
The choice of the T-FLEX was based on the following consideration:
- possibility to receive a valuable parametric 3D model of the part with the use only one kind of the working drawing;
- possibility of valuable import of the files from other programs;
- possibility of creation of photorealistic images.
The accomplishment of the diploma project envisages a sequence of the following stages:
- outlines execution;
- strength properties analysis;
- construction optimization considering of the previous two stages;
- construction technological study;
- experimental samples and tests creation.
As the character of designing process is rather complex and iterative, the issue of designing automation currently has gained a special actuality.
With the appearance of modern systems of solid-state parametric simulation the approach towards designing has recently considerably changed. Formerly an engineer worked in bidimentional space and had to embody his ideas in plane drawings. At present he has a possibility to create in real three-dimensional space, not thinking how to draw one or another projection of a detail.
That means that designing is accomplished not from the drawing to three-dimensional product pattern, but vice versa (from the space model to automatically generated drawings, evading time spending on their creation). This approach towards designing is convenient as three-dimensional product geometry can be transferred to any calculation program for the analysis of detail’s solidity.
Further under consideration is a more detailed practice of use of one of the best systems of solid-state simulation – T-FLEX CAD 3D program.
T-FLEX CAD 3D system provides an ideology of the parametric solid-state simulation, permitting to speed up engineering process of the part’s geometry. This ideology allows to change the model easily, making numerous iterations while the model is elaborated, and also to create the set of one-type details, providing parameters values update at any time and regenerating geometrical model. The model of antenna post of the Siberian solar radiotelescope, which was elaborated with the use of T-FLEX CAD 3D system, is illustrated on pic.1.
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To some extent T-FLEX CAD 3D system is the universal tool. It operates valuably in two directions: from 3D models to the drawing and vice versa. In the presence of 3D models of any detail, it is possible to obtain a working drawing automatically (see pictures 2, 3, 4 and 5). If the model of the whole product is created, it is possible to get all the design documentation in the full volume.
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Diploma project experience revealed that application of T-FLEX system having a friendly interface provides a user’s opportunity to create objects of any complexity, and also parametrize them with minimum efforts. With the help of the new capabilities of T-FLEX CAD program it is possible to create not only the parametric models but also complex assemblies of them.
It also allows to get the photorealistic images of products; this ability is a doubtless advantage of the system. It is especially important for the diploma project as the system enables to illustrate originality of the represented solutions (see pictures 1 and 6).
Pic.6
Summing up, the system is considered to be an optimal instrument for the simplification of students’ work in diploma designing due to its vast capabilities and mastering simplicity.