Alibre Design Std 12 Volt Battery SAMPLE net

8/6/2019 Alibre Design Std 12 Volt Battery SAMPLE net

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Donald B. Cheke www.textualcreations.ca

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12 Volt Battery

Part 1 - 3D Model

Alibre Design Standard v12.1

Donald B. Cheke
http://www.textualcreations.ca/


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Copyright 2010 Donald B. ChekeAlibre Design is a registered trademark of

Alibre Inc.

Published by:

Donald B. Cheke

Saskatoon, SK Canada

Visit: www.textualcreations.ca

All rights reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, stored on a retrieval system or transmitted in any

form without written permission from the author. The purchaser may, however, print one copy of the

document to paper and may make one backup copy of the downloaded material for personal safe

keeping.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort has been taken in the preparation and the writing of this document the author

assumes no responsibility for errors and/or omissions nor for the uses of the material and the decisions

based on such use. No warranties are made, express or implied with regard to either the contents of the

document, its merchant ability or fitness for a particular purpose. The author should not be liable for

direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the

contents of this document.

Special Note

All of the work presented within this tutorial is based on Alibre Design Standard 12.1. Although users of

previous versions are welcome to try the tutorial it cannot be stated what results will be achieved. Manychanges, some subtle and others not so subtle, are made with each program revision. Although many

steps and directions would be generic some may not be. The same can be said for tools between

versions. Older versions may not have the same tools as Alibre Design 12.1 and if the same tools are

available the tools themselves may have been revised and hence, work in a different manner than they

previously did.
http://www.textualcreations.ca/http://www.textualcreations.ca/


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Table of ContentsTable of Contents ......................................................................................................................................................... 3

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Additional Notes........................................................................................................................................................... 6

Purposeful Errors ......................................................................................................................................................... 6Setup .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Lower Shell ................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Initial Assembly .......................................................................................................................................................... 35

Upper Shell .................................................................................................................................................................. 36

Caps ............................................................................................................................................................................. 67

Electrode Plates ......................................................................................................................................................... 84

Plate Connectors ..................................................................................................................................................... 115

Terminals ................................................................................................................................................................. 135

Section View ............................................................................................................................................................ 145

3D PDF ..................................................................................................................................................................... 147

What's Next .............................................................................................................................................................. 153


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IntroductionAlibre Design is a great CAD program for designing mechanical-like components and assemblies. Its use

of constraints and it parametric editing capabilities make part creation easy and design changes a

breeze. During this tutorial a 12 volt battery will be created in all its glory. It is an excellent model to help

get a feel for many of the tools available in Alibre Design. It is simple enough to be manageable by even

the newest user but complex enough to provide some good opportunities to see the program shine.

Within the tutorial the reader will be led through each keystroke* to produce all components of the

battery that is illustrated on the cover of the tutorial. The reader will learn how to create each part by

converting 2D sketches into 3D shapes and further refining those 3D shapes as needs dictate. Once the

assembly is complete the reader will learn how to output the model to 3D PDF.

There are a couple ways to approach drawing in Alibre Design. The first is to create each part in a

separate drawing and then assemble those parts in an assembly file. This is great if a user already knows

the dimensions of each component and how they all fit together. The second method is to create an

initial part file and insert that initial part into an assembly file. From that point additional parts are

created via the assembly file - using the emerging assembly as a guide to build from. In reality, both

methods are creating separate part files which are referenced in the assembly file, but the second

method allows for better visuals when designing from scratch.

This tutorial is in no way intended to teach battery design but rather it is intended to teach the use of

some of the tools that Alibre Design has to offer and to introduce the new user to a drawing

methodology. The author feels confident that the techniques outlined within the tutorial can help lay the

foundation for future successful Alibre Design drawing and illustration for even the newest user.

As with any technically advanced software, the user is generally faced with a steep learning curve. It is

the hope of the author that the money and time spent working through a Textual Creations tutorial wil

help ease the learning and allow the reader to come away feeling confident that they made a wise

decision.

There are many ways to approach a project and it is likely that each person using the program would

proceed in very different ways, so be open to alternative methods as experience builds. What is

important is that the user becomes familiar with the objects that they wish to model and begin to look at

them in a different way than they might otherwise do. What primitive shapes make up the whole? What

will be required of these primitive shapes early in the drawing and how will this affect needs further

along? What component or components should be started with? Many questions can only be answered

through experience, but hopefully some of them will be answered by the time the beginner has worked

through this tutorial. There is a great deal covered in this tutorial and the author urges the beginner to be

patient, to read very carefully and to take the time necessary to do a good job. Try to enjoy the process as

much as you will enjoy the final results.

This tutorial will assume that the reader has the Standard edition of Alibre Design 12.1.

This tutorial also assumes that the beginner has studied the desktop to some degree and can locate

most of the tools.


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With regards to toolbars, the author has turned all toolbars on and placed them at the top of the desktop

for ease of display within the tutorial. As such, they are not laid out as the default workspace, but the

toolbars themselves have not been changed. Please engage all of the Toggle tools so that the drawing

aids are visible as the tutorial progresses.

Note that all toolbars with the down facing black triangle are fly-out toolbars and contain additional tools

Left mouse click on the arrow to open them.

As seen in Part Drawing

As seen in Assembly Drawing


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Additional Notes*With regards to complete keystroke by keystroke instructions as per the introduction, this in not quite

possible. Although keystroke by keystroke instruction is the norm for the most part, occasionally during

dimensioning sessions a user is instructed to add additional dimensions in the same manner that was

just illustrated. By the time that this is the case, a user will likely find no trouble doing so. As an aid, the

author has created, and included as part of the tutorial download, a video illustrating some dimensioning

details.

For the most part, tools are available on toolbars and from the menus at the top of the desktop. Some

tool/functions are limited just to the menus at the top of the desktop. Don't forget that a user can right

mouse click over objects in the drawing and in the Design Explorer to access the local menus.

For the most part, objects are selectable in the drawing area or on the Design Explorer.

It is not necessary to click into another field to initiate a feature previews unless desired, but it is done

regularly in the tutorial for illustration purposes.

Using the 'Orbit' function in Alibre is pretty standard while drawing. Because orbiting a drawing is

dependent on where the cursor is at the time and its somewhat indefinable movement, views betweenusers and the images within the tutorial will occasionally be different. To overcome this discrepancy, the

author employs the use of the 'Orient to isometric view tool' more often than an individual user may

employ when working independently.

Purposeful ErrorsPlease note that a couple of errors were made during the initial writing of the tutorial. Instead of

correcting them while editing the tutorial, prior to publishing, they were left as part of the tutorial for two

reasons. The first is so the reader/user realizes that mistakes will occur and that they are generally quite

easy to fix. The second reason is so that the reader/user will experience error repair and learn some extra

processes along the way.

The first error that is made early in the tutorial and not noticed until much later (actually the author's

third run through of the tutorial) is with the height of the risers. It is supposed to be 6 mm high and is

actually short of that. It doesn't affect the rest of the tutorial so follow through as written. At the end of

the tutorial the reader is directed to a short repair video where they can work along to correct the height.

The second error has to do with naming the Cap part with a file name different than what was intended.

It is fixed within the tutorial with a process that would certainly be elusive a new user.


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Donald B. Cheke

Lower ShellFrom the File menu at the top of the

Enter the file name 12V Lower Shell a

3D objects begin with a 2D sketch an

is to use as few steps as possible and

To see what is going to happen while

Select the Activate 2D Sketch tool.

Select the ZX plane in the drawing o

progress below.

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esktop select Save As.

nd click Save.

d these sketches can be approached in num

make use of the 'features' for further editin

electing a plane to draw on, orient the drawi

r on the Design Explorer to select the Worl

www.textualcreations.ca

rous ways, but the key

and for copies.

ng to isometric view.

d Plane to draw on. In


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The screen rotates so that the workplane is parallel to the screen. This may take a few moments. Note

that it is not necessary to draw head on to the plane but it can prove easier for a new user.

Select the Rectangle by Two Corners tool.

Establishing required sizes is done after the initial profile is placed in the drawing, so using two left

mouse clicks, place a rectangle in the drawing in a similar location and of a similar size, as indicated in

the picture below. In progress below.

Select the Dimension tool.

Left mouse click the left line of the rectangle to select it as the line to dimension. Move the cursor to theleft and align the cursor centrally (if a user moves slowly enough it can be seen to snap in place

centrally). Once in place, left mouse click to place the dimension. It is not necessary to place the

dimension centrally, especially if other dimensions are to come because they may misalign after the next

dimension reshapes the sketch, as will be seen.


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With the input field highlighted type 254 and press Enter or click the checkmark (Apply).

Remember that a user can pan around the drawing as necessary by press and holding the mouse whee

down while moving the mouse. A user can also use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out on locations as

needed. A user can also press and hold the left and right mouse buttons down while moving the mouse

to orbit the drawing.

Left mouse click the bottom line of the rectangle to select it as the line to dimension. Move the down andalign the cursor centrally. Once in place, left mouse click to place the dimension. With the input field

highlighted type 160 and press Enter.

To place the rectangle in the desired location (lower left corner at the origin point when all three planes

intersect) select the Coincident Constraint tool from the Constraint fly out toolbar.

Select (left mouse click) the lower left node of the rectangle as the first point and then the origin point asthe second. After the second point is selected the sketch moves automatically.


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Two holes for the terminals, that will eventually be created, will now be cut into the upper shell.

Select the Orient to isometric view tool.

Select the top face of the shell.


Select the Circle tool.

Using two left mouse clicks per circle, place two circles in a similar location and of a similar size, as

indicated in the picture below. Don't allow equal constraint during above make second circle different

size.


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Select the Circular Feature Pattern tool.

Select the grip revolution and the grip fillet as the object to radial copy. (Press and hold the Ctrl key downto select items. Release the Ctrl key afterwards.)

Enter 8 copies and select the Complete Revolution (360) option.

Left mouse click into the Center field to activate it and then select the new axis.

Click OK.

Select the top of the cap to begin the process of creating a vent hole.


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Select the Circle tool.

Using two left mouse clicks, place a circle in a similar location and of a similar size, as indicated in the

picture below.

Select the Dimension tool.

Left mouse click the circle to select it as the first point of the dimension. Move the cursor upward andthen left mouse click to place the dimension. With the input field highlighted type .5 and press Enter.

Select the Concentric Constraint tool from the Constraints fly out toolbar.

Select an outside circle of the cap and then the new circle to constrain them. In progress below.

Select the Extrude Cut tool.

Select Through ALL from the Type menu, and then click OK.


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Click Close on the Direct Entry dialogue.

Click Apply on the Move Figures dialogue.

Click Close

Select the Revolve Boss tool.

Left mouse click into the Axis field to activate it and then select the previously inserted axis of the profileClick OK.

With the revolution still selected, select the Linear Feature Pattern tool. Left mouse click the Linear Pathfield to activate it and then select previously inserted axis. Enter 25 copies and type 1 in the Spacing

field. Left mouse click in a different field to initiate a preview. Click OK.


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Click Save and then click OK at the Save dialogue.


Now, while in the main assembly file, select the Insert Linear Pattern tool.

Left mouse click the Part/Subassembly to Pattern field to activate it and then select Cap on the Design

Explorer.

Left mouse click the Row Linear Path field to activate it and then select a side line as the path.

Type 6 in the Rows field and enter a Spacing of 40.833 Left mouse click in a different field to initiate a

preview. Click OK.


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Select the Insert Linear Pattern tool.

Left mouse click into the Part/Subassembly to Pattern field to activate it and then select the negative

plate as the object to linear copy. Left mouse click into the Linear Path field to activate it and then select

upper left edge of a positive plate as the path. Change rows to 6 and then enter 6.3 for spacing. Left

mouse click into a different field to see the preview. Click OK.

Save the new assembly as 12V Pos-Neg Cell Block.AD_ASM.

Close the new assembly block.

Back in the main assembly file select the Orient to isometric view tool and then select Insert

Part/Subassembly.


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Select 12V Pos-Neg Cell Block.AD_ASM and then click Open.

Because the plates were already created in their proper locations, inserting into the assembly wil

requires a single left mouse click.

Move the cursor to the origin and when it is red in color left mouse click to place the subassembly. Select

Finish.

Select the Insert Linear Pattern tool.

Left mouse click into the Part/Subassembly to Pattern field to activate it and then select the 12V Pos-

Neg Cell Block as the object to linear copy. Left mouse click into the Linear Path field to activate it and

then select upper left edge of the cell as the path. Change rows to 6 and then enter 40.833 for spacing.Check Change Direction if need be. Click OK.

Left mouse click in a clear area of the drawing to deselect the selection.

After left mouse click


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Right mouse click over 12V Upper Shell and select Edit Root Assembly.


Right mouse click over 12V Positive Connector and select Edit Here.

Select the new plane.


Select the Spline tool.

Select the Orient to top view tool.

Using five left mouse clicks place a spline as indicated in the picture below. Press Esc after fifth point.


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Select the Select tool.

The nodes can now be dragged around. If need be, move each node so that the spline travels smoothly

from the connector to the hole in the cap where the terminal comes through. Ensure that the spline at

the area between the fill hole wall and the cell wall is central.

Like so.

Disengage the Activate 3D Sketch tool.


Select the Insert Plane tool.

The Plane orients to the end of the spline. Click OK.

Select the new plane.


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Section ViewIt is now time to create a section view (Cutaway). This will be created using an angled plane.

Select the Insert Axis tool. Select the upper line of the back fillet on the top of the upper shell. Click OK.


Select the YZ Plane and the new Axis. Enter an Angle of 35 and check Reverse. Click OK.


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Select the new angled plane. Enter an Distance of 50 and then left mouse click into a different field to

initiate a preview and then click OK.

Select the last plane.

Right mouse click over Section Views and select Insert 3D Section View.

Select the Upper and Lower shell components as the parts to section. Select Reverse and then click

Apply.

Enter -10 mm in the offset field to move the section further back. Left mouse click into a different field to

initiate a preview and then click Apply. Click Close.

Alibre Design Std 12 Volt Battery SAMPLE net

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