SOLID MODELING USING CATIA SOFTWARE

CATIA software

 Introduction to CATIA V5
The 3D CAD system CATIA V5 was introduced in 1999 by Dassault Systems.
Replacing CATIA V4, it represented a completely new design tool showing
fundamental differences to its predecessor.
CATIA (computer aided three-dimensional interactive application)
developed by the French company Dassault Systems.

 CATIA INTERFACE(GUI)

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1. SPECIFICATION TREE

2. MOUSE CONTROLS

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3. VIEW TOOLBAR

4. OTHER COMMONLY USED TOOLS:

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Step 2: Sketcher Module

The Sketcher workbench is a set of tools that helps you create and constrain 2D
geometries. Features (pads, pockets, shafts, etc...) may then be created solids or
modifications to solids using these 2D profiles. You can access the Sketcher
workbench in many ways. Two simple ways are by using the top pull down menu
(Start – Mechanical Design – Sketcher), or by selecting the Sketcher icon. When
you enter the sketcher, CATIA requires that you choose a plane to sketch on. You
can choose this plane either before or after you select the Sketcher icon. To exit the
sketcher, select the Exit Workbench icon.

1. The Sketcher workbench contains the following standard workbench

specific toolbars.

2. Profile toolbar: The commands located in this toolbar allow you to create
simple geometries (rectangle, circle, line, etc...) and more complex
geometries (profile, spline, etc...).

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3. Operation toolbar: Once a profile has been created, it can be modified

using commands such as trim, mirror, chamfer, and other commands located
in the Operation toolbar.

4. Constraint toolbar: Profiles may be constrained with dimensional

(distances, angles, etc...) or geometrical (tangent, parallel, etc...) constraints
using the commands located in the Constraint toolbar.

5. Sketch tools toolbar: The commands in this toolbar allow you to work in
different modes which make sketching easier

Step 3: Part Design Module

Part design environment is used to create 3D models from the basic 2D sketches
created in sketcher environment.

Some of the commands in workbench explained below :-

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1. PAD command
In most CAD software, the equivalent of this is called EXTRUDE, but in CATIA
we call it PAD. This command adds material in the third direction, a direction
other than the sketch.

2. POCKET command
The POCKET commands somehow the opposite of PAD command. It simply
helps remove geometry belonging to an already create part. On the figure below
the POCKET command is helping to create the cylinder hole in the middle of the
cube.

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3. SHAFT command
It is Like revolve command in other CAD software, the SHAFT command is
mostly used to make shaft like parts. It requires an axis, around which the sketch
will be revolved.

4. RIB command
This command which is usually known as SWEEP is called RIB IN CATIA. It
adds material along a guide curve. RIB is used to make components like springs,
pipes etc.

5. SLOT command

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SLOT removes the material along a guide curve. Here is an example of slot. While
using SLOT, I have used the same guide curve that was used for RIB. This ensures
that the cross section will be uniform throughout.

Step 4: Assembly Module

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Assembly environment is used to provide mating to two or more part models to

from complete assembly

We have two approaches in assembly

Top -down approach Bottom -up approach

entire design structure will be created in product environment in Top - down
approach whereas in bottom - up parts will be created separately and will be mated
using mating or constraint tools.

Step 5: Drafting Module

Drafting is a process of generating 2D machine drawing for the 3D part models to
send it to the manufacturer's.

Catia drafting is of two types

1.Interactive Drafting

2. Generative Drafting

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Step 6 . wireframe and surface design

1. WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN WORKBENCH
The Wireframe and Surface Design workbench provides the tools to create
wireframe construction elements during preliminary design and enrich existing 3D
mechanical part design with wireframe and basic surface features.
2. Starting Wireframe and Surface Design Workbench
Start a new session of CATIA and close the new product file, which is opened by
default. Next, choose Start > Mechanical Design > Wireframe and Surface Design
from the menu bar to start a new file in the Wireframe and Surface Design
Workbench
3. CREATING WIREFRAME ELEMENTS
The wireframe construction elements aid in creating surfaces. The sketches
drawn in sketcher workbench can also be used to create surfaces. The tools
available for constructing the wireframe geometries are discussed in the
following section.

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4. Creating Circles

Menu: Insert > Wireframe > Circle Toolbar: Circle- Crone. >Circle
The Circle tool is used to create circular arcs and circles. Choose the Circle button
from the Wireframe toolbar; the Circle Definition dialog box is displayed.
You can select a predefined point or create a point by choosing any one of
the options from the contextual menu, which is available when you right click on
the Center selection area of the Circle Definition dialog box. Next, you are
prompted to select the support surface. Select a plane as the support surface.
Specify the required radius value in the Radius spinner. You can set the angular
limits of the arc from the Circle Limitation area and finally choose the OK button
to complete the arc

5. Creating Splines
Menu :- Insert > Wireframe > Spline
Toolbar : - Curve > Spline

The Spline tool is use to draw a spline in three dimensional space by

selecting the connecting points. Choose the down arrow on the right of the
Spline button to invoke the Curves toolbar

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You can select a predefined point or create a point using the options from
the contextual menu, which will be displayed when you right-click in the Points
selection area of the dialog box. Once you have selected a point, you are further
prompted to select a point or a direction (line or plane) or a curve. You can
choose a number of points to draw the spline.
In the Spline Definition dialog box, Geometry on Support check box is
provided. On selecting this check box, you are prompted to select a support
element. Select a plane or a surface such that the point defined for spline
creation lies on it. The spline thus created will lie completely on the defined
support element. Choose OK button from the dialog box to complete the spline.

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6. Creating Helix
Menu: Insert > Wireframe > Helix
Toolbar: Curve > Helix

The Helix tool is used to create a helical curve. When you invoke this
tool, the Helix Curve Definition dialog box will be displayed.
Select a predefined point, or create a point using the options from the
contextual menu, which will be displayed when you right click on the
Starting point selection area of the Helix Curve Definition dialog box.
Next, you are prompted to select a line as the helix axis. Select a
predefined line or draw a line using the options from the contextual menu,
which will be displayed when you right-click in the Axis selection area. You
can set the pitch, height, orientation, and start angle values in the respective
spinners. You can also add a taper angle to the helix by specifying a value in
the Taper Angle spinner available in the Radius variation area of the dialog
box.
7. CREATING SURFACES
The tools provided in Wireframe and Surface Design workbench to create
simple and complex surfaces.
 Creating Extruded Surfaces
Menu: Insert > Surfaces > Extrude
Toolbar: Surfaces > Extrude

The extruded surfaces are created by extruding a profile and specifying

the extrusion depth and direction vector. The basic parameters that are required
to

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Figure ,The Helix Curve definition dialog box

Figure, The helix without specifying Figure, The helix with specified taper angle
the taper angle
create an extruded surface are profile, direction for extrusion, and extrusion
limits. To create an extruded surface, you first need to draw the profile to be
extruded using the Sketcher workbench or by using the tools available in the
Wireframe toolbar. Once you have drawn the profile, choose the Extrude button
from the Surfaces toolbar; the Extrude Surface Definition dialog box is displayed,
as shown in above Figure

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Fig, The Extruded Surface Definition dialog box

direction by selecting a plane normal to the profile. You can also specify a line, or
an axis for specifying the direction for extrusion. Set the extrusion limits in the
Limit spinners

8. Creating Revolved Surfaces

Menu : Insert > Surface > Revolve
Toolbar : Surface > Revolve

Revolved surfaces are created by revolving a profile about a

revolution axis. To create a revolved surface, first sketch the profile and
revolution axis around which the profile is to be revolved. Choose the
Revolve button from the Surfaces toolbar; the Revolution Surface Definition
dialog box is displayed.

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Fig. The Revolution Surface Definition dialog box

Select the profile to be revolved. By default, the axis you sketched, with the
profile in the sketcher workbench, is selected as the axis of revolution. You
can also select some other axis of revolution. Now, set the required angular
limits in the Angle spinners. Figure 9-11 shows a profile and an axis of
revolution to create the revolve surface. The resulting surface, revolved
through an angle of 180-degree.

Fig. The profile and revolution axis Fig. Surface revolved through an
angle of 180-degree

9. Creating Spherical Surfaces

Menu : Insert > Surfaces > Sphere
Toolbar : Surfaces > Sphere

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This tool is used to create the spherical surfaces. When you invoke
this tool, the Sphere Surface Definition dialog box is displayed, as shown in
Figure 9-13. You need to select the center point and an axis system as the
sphere axis. You can select an existing point as the center point or create a
point by using the options from the contextual menu, which will be
displayed on right-clicking in the Center selection area. The Default(xyz)
axis system is automatically selected. You can also select any previously
created axis system. The preview of the spherical surface is displayed in the
geometry area.
You can vary the angle values using the options available in the Sphere
Limitations area or by directly dragging the limiting arrows in the geometry
area. Fig shows the spherical surface created by defining the origin as the
center. Also, this surface has the default axis system and sphere limitation
values.

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10.Creating Cylindrical Surfaces

Menu : Insert > Surfaces > Cylinder
Toolbar : Surfaces > Cylinder

This tool is used to create cylindrical surfaces. Choose the Cylinder

button from the Surfaces toolbar; the Cylinder Surface Definition dialog box
is displayed and you are prompted to select the center of the cylinder. You
can select an existing point as the center point or create a point by using the
options from the contextual menu, which will be displayed on right-clicking
in the Center selection area. Next, you are prompted to specify the direction
for the cylinder. Select a plane, normal to which the cylinder will be
extruded. You can also select a direction vector from the contextual menu,
which can be invoked by right-clicking in the direction selection area. Set
the parameters using the spinners in the Parameters area in the Surface
Definition dialog box. Choose OK to create the cylindrical surface.

11.Creating Offset Surfaces

Menu: Insert > Surfaces > Offset
Toolbar: Surfaces > Offset

The Offset tool is used to create a surface that is at an offset distance

from a reference surface. To do so, choose the Offset tool from the Surfaces
toolbar. The Offset Surface Definition dialog box is displayed, as shown in
Fig, and you are prompted to select a reference surface.

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Fig. The Offset Surface Definition dialog box.

Select the reference surface from the geometry area and specify the offset
value in the Offset spinner. Choose the Reverse Direction button available in
the dialog box to reverse the offset direction. The Both sides check box is
selected to create the offset surface on both sides of the reference surface.
The Repeat object after OK check box is used to create multiple offset
surfaces. Select the Repeat object after OK check box and exit the Offset
Surface Definition dialog box. The Object Repetition dialog box is displayed
In shown in fig.

Fig. The Object Repetition dialog box

In this dialog box specify the required number of instances. Choose the OK
button to create the offset surfaces. Figure 9-17 shows a reference surface
and an offset surface.

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Sometime for complex reference surfaces, the offset surface may not be
created. In such cases, you need to reduce the offset value or modify the
initial geometry.

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