**1. Introduction**

In mechanical technique, transmission means appliance which is used as intermediary mechanism between driving machine (e.g. of engine) and working (consumed) machine. The role of transmission is transmitting of mechanical energy from main shaft of driving machine to main shaft of working machine. The selection of transmission is limited by the price of complete appliance, by working environment, by dimensions of the appliance, technical regulations, etc. In mechanical engineering, so as in technique generally, mechanical transmissions are broadly used. Mechanical transmissions are mechanisms which are used for mechanical energy transmitting with the change of angle speed and appropriate change of forces and rotary torques. According to the type of transmitting, mechanical transmissions could be divided into: transmissions gear (sprocket pair), belt transmissions (belt pulleys and belt), friction transmissions (friction wheels) and chain transmissions (chain pulleys and chain). (Repcic & Muminovic, 2007)

In this chapter, the results of the research of three-dimensional (3D) geometric parameter modelling of the two frequently used types of mechanical transmissions, transmissions gear (different types of standard catalogue gears: spur gears, bevel gears and worms) and belt transmissions (belt pulley with cylindrical external surface, or more exactly, with pulley rim) using CATIA V5 software system (modules: *Sketcher*, *Part Design*, *Generative Shape Design*, *Wireframe and Surface Design* and *Assembly Design*), is shown.

Modelling by computers are based on geometric and perspective transformation which is not more detail examined in the chapter because of their large scope.

It is advisable to make the parameterisation of mechanical transmissions for the purpose of automatization of its designing. Parameter modelling application makes possible the control of created geometry of 3D model through parameters integrated in some relations (formulas, parameter laws, tables and so on). All dimensions, or more precisely, geometric changeable parameter of gear and belt pulley, can be expressed through few characteristic fixed parameters (*m*, *z*, *z*1, *z*2 and *N* for the selected gear; *d*, *Bk*, *dv* and *s* for the selected belt pulley). Geometry of 3D mechanical transmission model is changed by changes of these parameters values. Designer could generate more designing solutions by mechanical transmission parameterisation.

Because AutoCAD does not support parameter modelling, and command system, that it has, does not make possible simple realization of changes on finished model, parameter

Mechanical Transmissions Parameter Modelling 5


Modelling of selected mechanical transmissions was done in *Sketcher*, *Part Design* and *Generative Shape Design* modules of CATIA V5 system. As prerequisite for this way of modelling, it is necessary to know modelling methodology in modules *Wireframe and Surface Design* and *Assembly Design* of CATIA V5 system. (Karam & Kleismit, 2004; Dassault

After finished modelling procedure, mechanical transmissions can be independently used in

Parameter marks and conventional formulas (Table 1. and 5.) used in mechanical transmissions modelling can be found in references (Repcic & et al., 1998; Repcic & Muminovic, 2007, pgs. 139, 154-155, 160-161). Clear explanations for transmissions gear and belt transmissions can be found in references (Repcic & et al., 1998, pgs. 54-106, 118-151).

Next paragraph is shows 3D geometric parameter modelling of characteristic standard

Gears were selected as characteristic example, either because of their frequency as mechanical elements or because exceptionally complex geometry of cog side for modelling. Every user of software system for designing is interested in creation of complex plane curve

The control of 3D parameterised model geometry is done by created parameters, formulas and parameter laws shown in the tree in Fig. 1. (Cozzens, 2006) Parameters review, formulas and parameter laws in the *Part* documents tree activating is done through the main select

**Spur gear Bevel gear Worm**  *z z*1, *z*2 *z*1=1 *m m*=1,5

*r*=(*z*\**m*)/2 *r*=(*z*1\**m*)/2 *d*=20 mm


The recommendation is, before components parameterising, to:

**2. Mechanical transmissions parameter modelling** 

1. check the component complexity,

2. notice possible ways of component making, 3. notice dimensions which are going to change and 4. select the best way for component parameterising.

Systemes, 2007a, 2007b; Zamani & Weaver, 2007)

**2.1 Transmissions gear parameter modelling** 

catalogue gears: spur gears, bevel gears and worms.

*Spline* which defined geometry of cog side profile.

*rb*=*r*\*cos(*a*) *rb*=*rc*\*cos(*a*)

menu (*Tools* → *Options* → *Part Infrastructure* → *Display*).

assemblies in complex way.

*a*=20 deg *p*=*m*\**PI*

oriented software systems (CATIA V5, SolidWorks, Mechanical Desktop, and so on) which used analytical expressions for variable connection through parameters are used. CATIA V5 (*Computer-Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application*) is the product of the highest technological level and represents standard in the scope of designing (Dassault Systemes, IBM, 2011). Currently, it is the most modern integrated CAD/CAM/CAE software system that can be find on the market for commercial use and scientific-research work. The biggest and well-known world companies and their subcontractors use them. It is the most spread in the car industry (Daimler Chrysler, VW, BMW, Audi, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, etc.), airplane industry (Airbus, Boeing, etc.), and production of machinery and industry of consumer goods. The system has mathematical models and programs for graphical shapes presentation, however users have no input about this process. As a solution, it is written independently from operative computer system and it provides the possibility for program module structuring and their adaptation to a user. In the "heart" of the system is the integrated associational data structure for parameter modelling, which enables the changes on the model to be reflected through all related phases of the product development. Therefore, time needed for manual models remodelling is saved. The system makes possible all geometric objects parametering, including solids, surfaces, wireframe models and constructive elements. (Karam & Kleismit, 2004; Saric et al., 2010) Whole model, or part of model, can parameterise in the view of providing of more flexibility in the development of new variants designing solutions. Intelligent elements interdependence is given to a part or assembly by parameterising. The main characteristic of parameter modelling in CATIA V5 system is the great flexibility, because of the fact that parameters can be, but do not have to be, defined in any moment. Not only changing of parameter value, but their erasing, adding and reconnecting, too, are always possible. (Karam & Kleismit, 2004) Total *Graphical User Interface* (GUI) programmed in C++ program is designed like tools palette and icons that can be find in Windows interface. Although it was primarily written for Windows and Windows 64-bit, the system was written for AIX, AIX 64-bit, HP-UX, IRIX and Solaris operative system. To obtain the maximum during the work with CATIA V5 system, optimized certificated hardware configurations are recommended (Certified hardware configurations for CATIA V5 systems, 2011).

Parameter modelling in CATIA V5 system is based on the concept of knowledge, creating and use of parameter modelled parts and assemblies. (Saric et al., 2009) Creating of 3D parameter solid models is the most frequently realized by combining of the approach based on *Features Based Design* – FBD and the approach based on Bool's operations (*Constructive Solid Geometry* – CSG). (Amirouche, 2004; Shigley et al. 2004; Spotts at el., 2004) The most frequent parameter types in modelling are: *Real*, *Integer*, *String*, *Length*, *Angle*, *Mass*, etc. They are devided into two types:


So, parameter is a variable we use to control geometry of component, we influence its value through set relations. It is possible to do a control of geometry by use of tools palette *Knowledge* in different ways:

oriented software systems (CATIA V5, SolidWorks, Mechanical Desktop, and so on) which used analytical expressions for variable connection through parameters are used. CATIA V5 (*Computer-Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application*) is the product of the highest technological level and represents standard in the scope of designing (Dassault Systemes, IBM, 2011). Currently, it is the most modern integrated CAD/CAM/CAE software system that can be find on the market for commercial use and scientific-research work. The biggest and well-known world companies and their subcontractors use them. It is the most spread in the car industry (Daimler Chrysler, VW, BMW, Audi, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, etc.), airplane industry (Airbus, Boeing, etc.), and production of machinery and industry of consumer goods. The system has mathematical models and programs for graphical shapes presentation, however users have no input about this process. As a solution, it is written independently from operative computer system and it provides the possibility for program module structuring and their adaptation to a user. In the "heart" of the system is the integrated associational data structure for parameter modelling, which enables the changes on the model to be reflected through all related phases of the product development. Therefore, time needed for manual models remodelling is saved. The system makes possible all geometric objects parametering, including solids, surfaces, wireframe models and constructive elements. (Karam & Kleismit, 2004; Saric et al., 2010) Whole model, or part of model, can parameterise in the view of providing of more flexibility in the development of new variants designing solutions. Intelligent elements interdependence is given to a part or assembly by parameterising. The main characteristic of parameter modelling in CATIA V5 system is the great flexibility, because of the fact that parameters can be, but do not have to be, defined in any moment. Not only changing of parameter value, but their erasing, adding and reconnecting, too, are always possible. (Karam & Kleismit, 2004) Total *Graphical User Interface* (GUI) programmed in C++ program is designed like tools palette and icons that can be find in Windows interface. Although it was primarily written for Windows and Windows 64-bit, the system was written for AIX, AIX 64-bit, HP-UX, IRIX and Solaris operative system. To obtain the maximum during the work with CATIA V5 system, optimized certificated hardware configurations are recommended (Certified hardware

Parameter modelling in CATIA V5 system is based on the concept of knowledge, creating and use of parameter modelled parts and assemblies. (Saric et al., 2009) Creating of 3D parameter solid models is the most frequently realized by combining of the approach based on *Features Based Design* – FBD and the approach based on Bool's operations (*Constructive Solid Geometry* – CSG). (Amirouche, 2004; Shigley et al. 2004; Spotts at el., 2004) The most frequent parameter types in modelling are: *Real*, *Integer*, *String*, *Length*, *Angle*, *Mass*, etc. They



configurations for CATIA V5 systems, 2011).

interior features (depth, distance, activity, etc.) and

are devided into two types:

*Knowledge* in different ways:


The recommendation is, before components parameterising, to:

