4 The general functions

Figure 4.1:

The calculation module

Please note: The top menu bar includes all general functions that are identical in every calculation module. Except for some modules (e.g., shaft and spur gear pair) you will find also a button called ‘CAD’. Based on your calculation, parts can be generated automatically as a feature-based 3D part in a 3D system. Find more information in the calculation modules as well as in the section 4.6 ‘The button CAD’.

4.1 How to open a calculation from a calculation module

4.1.1 How to open a calculation from the eAssistant server

Figure 4.2:

Open the file

4.1.2 How to open a calculation from your workstation

A standard Windows dialog for saving data files appears. Now you can open your calculation.

Figure 4.3:

Standard Windows dialog

4.2 How to save a calculation

4.2.1 How to save a calculation on the eAssistant server

When the calculation is finished, you can save it either on the eAssistant server or on your own workstation.

Figure 4.4:

The button ‘Save’

Figure 4.5:

Save file

Figure 4.6:

Name of the file

Please note: It is not necessary to specify the file extension. The eAssistant identifies the calculation module automatically.

The message ‘File was successfully saved’ appears and your calculation is saved on the server.

4.2.2 How to save a calculation on your workstation

1. Activate the checkbox ‘Enable file save local’ in the project manager whether you want to save the calculation on your workstation.

2. Activate the checkbox ‘Local’ in the calculation module.

3. Click on the button ‘Save’.

A standard Windows dialog for saving files will appear. Now you will be able to save the calculation on your workstation.

Figure 4.7:

Windows dialog for saving

Please note: You can decide within a calculation module if you want to save the calculation file on your workstation or on the eAssistant server.

4.3 The button ‘Calculation’

If you click on the button ‘Calculate’, your entries will be confirmed and the results will be determined.

Figure 4.8:

The button ‘Calculate’

Enter the values and the result is determined and displayed immediately. Which means that after every input of data, the results are calculated again. Move between the fields using the Tab key of your keyboard or use the mouse to click in the next input field. Your inputs will be confirmed. Press ‘Enter’ or the ‘Calculate’ button, your input will be confirmed as well.

4.4 The button ‘Undo’

Figure 4.9:

The button ‘Undo’

4.5 The button ‘Redo’

Figure 4.10:

The button ‘Redo’

4.6 The button ‘CAD’

Figure 4.11:

The button ‘CAD’

Based on your calculation the button ‘CAD’ enables you to generate serrated shaft connections, splined shaft connections, shafts, and spur gear pairs. In addition, you can generate 3D parts via the menu item ‘eAssistant’ in a CAD system. In the following you get some information about the DXF interface for accurate tooth forms as well as about the eAssistant CAD plugin.

4.6.1 The DXF output for an exact tooth form

Click on the button ‘CAD’, then click on the menu item ‘DXF-Output’. An accurate tooth form for any involute gears in DXF format can be generated. Here different settings are possible.

Figure 4.12:

The DXF output

Figure 4.13:

Settings for the DXF output

If you have changed your settings, then click on the button ‘OK’. A standard Windows dialog for saving the data file will appear.

Figure 4.14:

Save the DXF file

Now you can save the DXF file on your workstation. Enter a name and click on the button ‘Save’. It is not necessary to specify the file extension ‘dxf’, because the extension will be attached automatically to the file name.

Please note: To allow the generation of the CAD data on your workstation, please activate the option ‘Enable file save local’ in the project manager.

4.6.2 The eAssistant CAD plugin (SolidKiss_nG)

The eAssistant plugin for various CAD systems (e.g., SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor and Catia) enables you to combine calculation and design very easily and intelligently. Based on your eAssistant calculation, you can generate shafts or gears as a 3D part within just seconds. However, first you have to download and install the CAD plugin. You can find the plugin on our web site www.eAssistant.de. After installation, an integrated button called ‘eAssistant’ appears in the CAD system. Accomplish the calculation using the eAssistant and click on the button ‘CAD $⇒$ SolidKiss_nG Interface’. The values are transferred to the CAD system where you can generate the 3D models through a menu.

Figure 4.15:

SolidKiss_nG in the eAssistant

From the calculation module ‘spur gear pair’ internal, external spur, and helical gears can be generated automatically as a feature-based 3D part in a CAD system. Addendum chamfer, profile shift modification, tolerances and shaft bore will be considered in the calculation and modeling. The gears include the accurate tooth form. In the drawings the manufacturing data can be placed by a mouse-click very easily. Equally shafts can be generated very fast. There a calculation of full and hollow shafts with a free number of cylindrical and conical shaft segments is possible. In addition to shafts and gears the generation of serrated and splined shafts is also supported. The shaft and the hub profile can be generated as feature based 3D models based on the calculation. The generation of these profiles in an existing gear model is also possible. All information of the calculation will be saved in the 3D model. This means that the information is available at any time.

Figure 4.16:

‘eAssistant’ button in the CAD system

Please note: In case you need further information about our 3D CAD plugin (SolidKiss_nG), feel free to contact us. Get also details on our web site www.eAssistant.de or read the CAD plugin (SolidKiss_nG) manual.

4.7 The button ‘Report’

After the completion of your calculation, you can create a calculation report. Click on the ‘Report’ button. You can navigate through the report via the table of contents that provides links to the input values, results and figures. This calculation report contains all input data, the calculation method as well as all detailed results. The report is available in HTML and PDF format. The calculation report saved in HTML format, can be opened in a web browser or in Word for Windows. The reports are structured differently in the various calculation modules.

Figure 4.17:

Example: Report

4.8 The button ‘Options’

If you click on the button ‘Options’, you find specific settings for every calculation module.

Figure 4.18:

The button ‘Options’

For example you can change the minimum safeties for the parallel key. Furthermore you can specify the mating clearance, the coefficients of frictions at joining or the minimum safeties for an interference fit.

4.9 The button ‘Help’

Figure 4.19:

The button ‘Help’

4.10 The message window in the calculation module

You will find a message window in all calculation modules where you will get some hints, messages, or warnings.

Figure 4.20:

Example for a message window in a calculation module

4.11 The quick info

The quick info feature gives you additional information about all input fields and buttons.

Figure 4.21:

Quick info

Move the mouse pointer to an input field or a button, then you will get some additional information. This information will be displayed in the quick info line.

4.12 How to change the unit of measurement

1. Just a right-click on the input field where you want to change the unit.

A context menu is opened. You will get a survey of all available units. The two arrows mark the current setting.

2. Select a unit.

With the modification of the measurement, the description of the input field changes. The current field value will be converted automatically into the chosen unit of measurement.

4.13 The dimensioning functions

The button for the dimensioning functions is marked by a calculator symbol and is located behind the input fields.

Figure 4.22:

Example for a dimensioning button

If you click on the dimensioning buttons, you get a suggestion for an appropriate input value. The calculation of the value is accomplished so that the given minimum safety is just fulfilled.

4.14 The user-defined inputs

The eAssistant enables you to specify your user-defined inputs. There you get the possibility to calculate non-standard parallel keys or to calculate involute splines which differ from the standard. In case you cannot find the material you are looking for in our extensive material database, you can define also your individual material. You will find the entry ‘User-defined’ or the entry ‘User defined input’ in the listboxes. If you select one of these already mentioned options, the according input fields will be enabled, so that you can specify your own input values.

4.15 The button „Question mark“

In some calculation modules (e.g. spur gear pair or parallel key module) you will find question mark buttons. If you click on these buttons, you will get additional information, for example figures or tables.

Figure 4.26:

Parallel key module

Figure 4.27:

Spur gear pair module

4.16 The results

All results will be calculated during every input and will be displayed in the result panel. In case a minimum safety is not fulfilled, the result will be marked red. After every data input, your result will be calculated again. Click on the button ‘Calculate’, your input data will be confirmed, the results will be calculated and be displayed in the result panel. If you press the ‘ENTER’ or the ‘Tab’ key of your keyboard or if you click in a different input field, your data will be also confirmed automatically.

Figure 4.28:

The result panel

Additional you get a warning in the message window (for example: ‘Safety against sliding is not reached’).

4.17 The template file

If you have to enter the same data very often, we recommend you to define a template file. That saves both time and work. All you have to do is to define a template. Enter your input data once into the calculation module. When you are ready to save the file, please name it ‘standard’. If you now open the calculation module, the module starts with your individual values. Please note that the template files can be saved only on the eAssistant server. You can define a template file specifically to a project or you can save the template file in the folder ‘Default’ for a general use. You can define a template file for every calculation module.

The template file, which was found first, is taken over. For example: If a template file is defined in the current folder, then the file will be primarily accepted. But in case this template file does not exist, the file will be searched in the project folder ‘Default’. There the template file is taken over again. If the file also cannot be found there, then the central eAssistant standard is used.

4.17.1 What is a template file? For example: A calculation of a parallel key

1. Select the calculation module ‘Parallel key’.

2. Click on the button ‘New calculation’.

Figure 4.29:

Save a template file

If you select the project ‘Default’, the template file applies for all projects, except for the projects where a template file was defined separately. Please also pay attention to the lower case of ‘standard’.