Creating a groove or shoulder template 

 

 

 

 

This page explains in detail how to create a groove or shoulder modal which can then be used in the Groove or shoulder function.

 

Principle:

 

When using the Groove or shoulder function, TopSolid proposes a list of templates for this operation. These templates come from the libraries which are referenced in the project.

 

Therefore, if you wish to use a personal template, this needs to be created in the personal library.

 

In the personal library, two documents need to be created:

 

 

Creation stages / Example:

 

Here are the stages to be followed including a real example.

We shall create a centered groove/shoulder template with fillet

 

2D modeling document:

 

In your personal library, create a new "2D modeling" document and name it "Centered with fillet" (for example)

This document can be filed in a folder of any name.

 

 

The X axis of the frame symbolizes the axis of the cylinder or taper support of the operation.

 

Create an inclined line symbolizing the silhouette of the cylindrical or tapered face support of the groove/shoulder.

 

Define this line in construction and external .

 

 

 

 

 

The upper part shall be used to generate a shoulder.

 

The lower part shall be used to generate a groove.

 

In our example, we shall use three dimensional parameters:

 

W: represents the width of the groove to the back OR the width of the shoulder to the vertex

 

H: represents the depth of the groove OR the height of the shoulder measured in its center

 

A: represents the draft angle

 

 

 

To do this, you need to:

  • Reference the "TopSolid Mechanical Library" in your library.

  • Use the function "Tools > Provide function" to provide the "Groove or shoulder" function to our template.

 

 

 

 

To do this, you must edit each function to allocate the relevant geometry to it:

 

For the axis of the silhouette surface, you must select the inclined line created right at the start.

 

For the sketch, you need to select the sketch created previously in this same document.

 

 

 

Document Family:

 

The document will enable y to determine the dimensional driving of our operation.

 

There are two ways of inspecting the dimension of the geometry:

 

  1. by the drivers: the values of these driver parameters are then requested when the template is used

  2. by a catalog: the dimensional choice of the parameters defined in the catalogue is done via a dimensional code list.

 

 

 

 

From here, one or more of the dimensional inspection methods can be used (driver or catalogue) or both may be combined.

However, a parameter may not be in both drivers and catalog.

In our example, both possibilities are explained supposing that one of them is used for all the parameters. It is up to you, then, to select the one you wish to use (or if you wish to combine both).

 

 

 

In the entities tree in the Family document, drag and drop the Parameters of the generic document to the Drivers folder.

 

 

You may specify a description for each driver by editing them in the entities tree. This way, when using this template, the description will be displayed in the dialog rather than the name of the parameter which is not always explicit.

 

In our example, we can attribute the following descriptions:

A: Draft angle

W: Width

H: Depth/Height

 

 

Check in and validate the Family document

 

 

In the entities tree of the Family document, "drag and drop" the Parameters of the generic document to the parameter table.

 

Then complete the catalog with the panel of desired dimensions for each dimension code.

 

The "Code" column is the list which will be displayed when the template is used to determine the set of values of the parameters defined in the table.

Check in and validate the Family document.