Extending the Design of a Lever

2
In This Chapter

In this tutorial, you extend the design of an „ Using the library to

insert a part
existing lever using various possibilities. You also
„ Preliminary settings:
create a drawing detail and some dimensioning snap configuration

options. „ Creating construction

lines

„ Creating additional
construction lines

„ Creating a contour
and applying a fillet

„ Creating a contour
and trimming
projecting edges

„ Cross-hatching the
lever

„ Dimensioning the
lever

„ Creating a detail and

additional dimensions

13
Key Terms

Term Definition
(C-lines) Lines, which are infinite in both directions or rays, which are infinite starting at a
construction lines point that can be inserted into the drawing area. You use C-lines to transfer
important points (for example, center points of bores) into other views or
drawing areas.

construction A line or an arc created with construction lines. Using construction geometry in
geometry 2D drawings helps define the shape of a contour.

detail A portion of a design drawing that cannot be clearly displayed or dimensioned in

the overall representation (surface texture symbols) but can be enlarged to show
the details.

distance snap To give the dimensions in a drawing a uniform appearance, Power Dimensioning
and Automatic Dimensioning enable automatic insertion of the dimension line at
a defined distance from the object being dimensioned. While dragging the
dimension line dynamically, you will find that it remains "fixed" and is highlighted
in red as soon as the required distance to the object being dimensioned is
reached.

Library A feature that makes it possible to store parts such as blocks and drawings in a
library. For every inserted part, an icon can be created. The icon is put in the
display section on the right side of the dialog box along with an assigned name.

Power Command A collective term for the Power Copy, Power Recall, Power Edit, Power
Dimensioning, Power Erase, and Power View commands.

Power Power Dimensioning is a very useful tool for generating linear, radial and
Dimensioning diameter dimensions, which minimizes the number of the individual actions
required while generating a dimension. Power Dimensioning selects the type of
linear dimension (horizontal, vertical, or aligned), based on the selected point,
and the dimensions of the drawing can have a uniform style using the distance
snap.

14 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

Extending the Design

Getting Started
First, you load the initial drawing. Here, you use the Library to do
this.
1 Start the Library.
Toolbutton Library
Menu Insert > Library
Command AMLIBRARY

2 Double-click the tut_ex02 file in the Library, or select Insert from

the context menu.

3 Respond to the prompt as follows:

Insertion point: Specify any point in the drawing

4 Start the Zoom Window command.
Toolbutton Zoom Window
Menu View > Zoom > Window
Command ZOOM

Getting Started | 15
 5 Zoom in to the part of the drawing shown in the following figure.

Preliminary Settings: Snap Configuration

In addition to the AutoCAD snap, Mechanical snap options, like
arc radial, arc tangent, and so forth are available. You also have
four different snap settings, which can be configured separately for
a quick switch to a different snap setting. For example, you can use
different snap settings for detailing or general design.
Before starting the design, you should define the object snaps,
which you will use in later operations.
1 Start the Power Snap settings.
Toolbutton Power Snap Settings 1 - 4
Menu Assist > Draft Settings > Power Snap Settings 1 - 4
Command AMPOWERSNAP

2 In the Power Snap Settings dialog box, specify:

Setting 1: Endpoint, Intersection

Setting 2: Endpoint, Center, Quadrant, Intersection, Parallel
Setting 3: Perpendicular

16 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

3 After configuring the settings, activate Setting 1, and choose OK.

TIP The object snap functions are also accessible: hold down the
SHIFT key, and click the right mouse button.

Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines)

Construction lines are very useful when you start your design
process. With their help, you draw some kind of a design grid with
your defined values for distance and angles. After generating the
design grid, you simply trace your contour with the contour layer.
Now insert the construction lines, which will help with the
drawing of contour lines.
1 Start the Draw C-Lines command.
Toolbutton Cross
Menu Design > Construction Lines > Draw C-Lines
Command AMCONSTLINES

2 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Cross icon.

Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines) | 17

 3 Respond to the prompt as follows:

Insertion point: Specify the intersection of line b and line c

Next, draw two lines parallel to the vertical and horizontal lines of
the construction line cross.
4 Start the Draw C-Lines command.
Toolbutton Parallel with Full Distance
Menu Design > Construction Lines > Draw C-Lines
Command AMCONSTLINES

5 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Parallel with Full
Distance icon.

6 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Select XLINE, RAY or LINE: Select line c

Distance(xx|xx|xx..) or Insertion point: Enter 3|9
Side to offset: Specify a point to the left of line c

18 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

7 Insert the second set of parallel lines, and respond to the prompts
as follows:

Select XLINE, RAY or LINE: Select line b.

Distance(xx|xx|xx..) or Insertion point: Enter 4.5|9.5
Side to offset: Specify a point below line b
8 Press ENTER.

Creating additional C-Lines

AutoCAD Mechanical offers a choice of C-line options.
1 Activate snap setting 2.
Toolbutton Power Snap Settings 2
Menu Assist > Draft Settings > Power Snap Settings 2
Command AMPSNAP2

2 Start the Draw C-Lines command.

Toolbutton Two Points or Angle
Menu Design > Construction Lines > Draw C-Lines
Command AMCONSTLINES

3 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Two Points or

Angle icon.

Creating additional C-Lines | 19

 4 Respond to the prompts as follows:

First point: Select intersection at point 3

Second point or Angle (xx|xx|xx..): Move the cursor over line a and
then back to the rectangle. When the Parallel symbol appears, click.

5 Press ENTER to finish the command.

Now, you draw tangential circles between the diagonal C-line and
the right vertical line and lower horizontal line of the rectangle.
6 Start the Draw C-Lines command.
Toolbutton Circle Tangent to 2 Lines
Menu Design > Construction Lines > Draw C-Lines
Command AMCONSTLINES

7 In the Construction Lines dialog box, choose the Circle Tangent to

2 Lines icon.

20 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

8 Draw the two circles by responding to the prompts as follows:

Select point for tangent: Select point P1

Select point for tangent: Select point P2
Diameter: Enter 2
Select point for tangent: Select point P3
Select point for tangent: Select point P1
Diameter: Enter 2
9 Press ENTER to end the command.

All construction lines have been inserted, and the contour can be
generated.

Creating additional C-Lines | 21

 Creating a Contour and Applying a Fillet
Now, you connect the two tangential circles with the right part of
the rectangle, to build a filleted triangle.
1 Start the Polyline command.
Toolbutton Polyline
Menu Design > Polyline
Command PLINE

2 Create the contour by responding to the prompts as follows:

Specify start point: Specify the intersection at P1

Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Specify P2
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Enter A
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Specify P3
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Enter L
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Specify P4
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
Enter A
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Specify P5
Specify endpoint of arc or
[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/ Radius/Second
pt/Undo/Width]: Enter CL

22 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

 Now, erase the C-Lines. You can erase all C-lines by calling one
command.
3 Erase C-Lines.
Toolbutton Erase All C-Lines
Menu Modify > Erase > Erase All C-Lines
Command AMERASEALLCL

TIP You can switch C-lines on and off temporarily by choosing

Assist > Layer/Layergroup > C-Line On/Off.
4 Apply a fillet to the corner of the triangle.
Toolbutton Fillet
Menu Modify > Fillet
Command AMFILLET2D

5 Respond to the prompts as follows:

(Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 2.5

Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension]: Press ENTER
6 In the Fillet radius dialog box, specify:

Input: 1
Trim Mode: On

7 Choose OK.
8 Respond to the prompts as follows:

(Dimension mode:OFF)(Trim mode) Current fillet radius = 1

Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension]: Enter P
Poly Select 2D polyline: Select a point on the polyline near the corner
9 Press ESC to cancel the command.

The triangular contour is complete.

Creating a Contour and Applying a Fillet | 23

 Creating a Contour and Trimming Projecting
Edges
Now, you create another part of the contour and trim projecting
edges.
1 Activate Power Snap Setting 3 command.
Toolbutton Power Snap Settings 3
Menu Assist > Draft Settings > Power Snap Settings 3
Command AMPSNAP3

Next, insert the next contour.

2 Start the Line command.
Toolbutton Line
Menu Design > Line
Command LINE

3 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify first point: Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click, and choose
Intersection
_int of: Select line a, P1
and: Select intersection on line b, P2
Specify next point: : Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click, and choose
Perpendicular. Then trace over line e, and click the perpendic. point, P3
Specify next point: Drag the cursor to the right, crossing over line c,
and select the Extended Intersection point, P4
Specify next point: Press ENTER

Now, trim the projecting edges at the upper edge of the lever.

24 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

4 Start the Trim command.
Toolbutton Trim
Menu Modify > Trim
Command TRIM

5 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Projection = UCS, Edge = None

Select cutting edges:
Select Objects: Select line 1
Select Objects: Select line 2
Select Objects: Press ENTER
<Select object to trim>/Project/Edge/Undo: Select line 3
<Select object to trim>/Project/Edge/Undo: Select line 4
<Select object to trim>/Project/Edge/Undo: Press ENTER

6 Zoom to the extents of the lever.

Toolbutton Zoom Extents
Menu View > Zoom > Extents
Command ZOOM

The contour is complete and looks like this:

Creating a Contour and Trimming Projecting Edges | 25

 Cross-Hatching the Lever
Cross-hatching is easy with AutoCAD Mechanical. Just choose one
of the predefined cross-hatching styles, and click a point within
the contour to be hatched.
1 Start the Hatch command, using an angle of 45 degrees and 2.5
mm / 0.1 inch spacing.
Toolbutton Hatch 45 deg.,2.5mm/0.1 inch
Menu Design > Hatch > Hatch 45 deg.,2.5mm/0.1 inch
Command AMHATCH_45_2

2 Respond to the prompt as follows:

Select additional boundary or point in area to be hatched or [Select

objects]: Click a point inside the contour (outside the cutouts)

The lever is hatched. It looks like this:

26 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

 Dimensioning the Lever
Now, dimension the lever, using the Power Dimensioning
command.
1 Start the Power Snap Setting 1 command.
Toolbutton Power Snap Settings 1
Menu Assist > Draft Settings > Power Snap Settings 1
Command AMPSNAP1

2 Start the Power Dimensioning command.

Toolbutton Power Dimensioning
Menu Annotate > Power Dimensioning
Command AMPOWERDIM

3 Respond to the prompts as follows:

(SINGLE) First extension line origin or

[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Select the first
corner point of the lever opening, P1
Second extension line origin: Select the second corner point, P2
Place dimension line [Options/Pickobj] <Options>: Drag the
dimension line to the left until it is highlighted, and click at P3

Dimensioning the Lever | 27

 4 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, specify:

Upper deviation: +0.1

5 Choose OK.
6 Press ESC to cancel the command.

The lever looks like this:

28 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

 Creating a Detail and Additional Dimensions
Now, define a detail of the upper part of the lever.
1 Start the Detail command.
Toolbutton Detail
Menu Design > Detail
Command AMDETAIL

2 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Center of circle or [Rectangle/Object]: Click a point in the center of

the area to be detailed
Specify radius or [Diameter]: Drag the radius to the appropriate size

3 Choose OK.

4 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Move the title (<Return> for current position): Press ENTER to select
the default position
Place the detail view: Select a location to the right of the lever
Select next point of connection line\<Return> for none: Press ENTER
for no connection line

Creating a Detail and Additional Dimensions | 29

 NOTE Some entities such as dimensions and symbols are
automatically filtered out in the detail function.

Now, add a dimension to the detail.

5 Start the Power Dimensioning command.
Toolbutton Power Dimensioning
Menu Annotate > Power Dimensioning
Command AMPOWERDIM

6 Respond to the prompts as follows:

(SINGLE) First extension line origin or

[Angular/Options/Baseline/Chain/ Update] <Select>: Press ENTER
[Picking arc/circle yields radius/diameter dimension or pick dimension
to edit]: Select the radius, as indicated by the arrow in the following
drawing

30 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever

7 In the Power Dimensioning dialog box, under Radius Dimensions,
select the fourth icon from the left. Choose OK.

8 Select an appropriate position for the dimension.

9 Deactivate the tolerances or fits in the Power Dimension dialog
box, if necessary, and choose OK.

10 Press ESC.

Now, the lever looks like this:

Creating a Detail and Additional Dimensions | 31

 NOTE The Power Dimensioning command recognizes the different
scale area. If you dimensioned the radius in the original drawing, the
dimension value would be the same. The text height is also the same,
as related to the standard.

32 | Chapter 2 Extending the Design of a Lever