Tuesday

Quick 3D gear drawing using solid modelling.

Hello,

You can follow the steps below to draw a simple 3-dimensional gear, this is how it should look when we’re done.

Firstly, we sketch the outlines of our drawing. Fig.1

Fig.1

Then we add a line joining the two outer circles as in Fig.2

Fig.2

We then offset this line 3 and then 4 units to the right and the left respectively. Fig.3

Fig.3

We join the end points of the two lines as in Fig.4

Fig.4

We use the TRIM command to get rid of the excess lines and obtain Fig.5

Fig.5

Now use the ARRAY command to make 16 copies in total around the center of the circles Fig.6

Fig.6

Redraw the Ø60 circle and TRIM the lines as in Fig 7. This is the final shape we need before going into the third dimension. For us to be able to EXTRUDE this shape into a 3-D object, we need to make this a ‘boundary’, so type BO to activate the command, and select POLYLINE from the drop-down menu. This step is important for the third dimension.

Fig.7

Switch to ISOMETRIC view to get a better understanding in the process, and EXTRUDE the object 10 units. Use SUBTRACT command (also available from the solids editing toolbar) to remove the hole from the solid,

Fig.8

Have a wonderful day, and please write any questions you have in the comments below.